Migration & recovery
How to check that your authenticator backup can restore
Find the file, check the passphrase and try importing a test entry. A small rehearsal makes the process familiar before you need it.
Keep the original device and test export and restore with a test account in a trusted environment. Check the format, passphrase and entries, then verify a sign-in at the website without interrupting your everyday setup.
In this article
Rehearse with a test account first
Begin with a purpose-created test entry to learn the export and restore process. Public sample secrets are suitable for demonstrations, not for protecting real accounts.
Restore real backup material only on trusted devices you control. Do not upload a full file to an online validator or give it to remote support for convenience.
Check the backup source and passphrase
Check which app and version exported the file, then use the matching restore option. Find the passphrase set during export before starting.
Authenticator Cloud app backups are passphrase-encrypted; desktop extension exports are unencrypted JSON and need separate protection. Include the source platform in the filename to make choosing the correct client easier.
Check for missing entries against your account list
An equal entry count can hide duplicates and omissions. Compare service names, aliases and entry types against a non-secret inventory, and check that the data reached the intended browser profile.
Understand any merge, skip or overwrite behavior before accepting it. A successful import message does not prove that every service still recognizes an old enrollment.
Finish with a sign-in using the restored entry
Complete an ordinary sign-in with a controlled low-risk account and note the tested batch and storage location, without recording live codes.
A restore creates another sensitive copy. Retire the test copy under your device and data-handling rules once the exercise is finished; forgotten stale copies can make future recovery more confusing.
References
See the official guides above for detailed setup instructions.
Use the Authenticator Cloud checklist to review sync, backups and entries on the new device.
