Forum Discussion
MS Authenticator app feature request: export to file / import from file
I really enjoy using the authenticator app, but I'm worrying about my phone getting stolen and losing access to all of the accounts associated with it. I see there is a cloud backup feature, but ...
How does the google authenticator immigration implementation solve this problem? I'm not familiar with it, and from what I can find online, there are many different overlapping features on this topic.
Maybe there's a better solution, but I just don't know about it!
Jeroen12
I explained everything in my initial request to MS on the matter, to which you commented at a point in time (hence the alert in my mailbox).
In short, this is how the GA process works:
1.) On the existing Mobile GA app >>> Tap settings >> Transfer Accounts = You are presented with a QR Code.
2.) On the new Mobile GA app >>> Click the + symbol >>> Scan a QR code = All your accounts have been transferred from old to new! Done!
I use both apps, so every time I get a new phone I have to feel the pain with the MS app and ask myself the Q, why don't I just spend the time to move all my Auth. accounts to Google Authenticator and be done with MS.....I cant find a reasonable reason not to, other than never having the time.
I explained everything in my initial request to MS on the matter, to which you commented at a point in time (hence the alert in my mailbox).
In short, this is how the GA process works:
1.) On the existing Mobile GA app >>> Tap settings >> Transfer Accounts = You are presented with a QR Code.
2.) On the new Mobile GA app >>> Click the + symbol >>> Scan a QR code = All your accounts have been transferred from old to new! Done!
I use both apps, so every time I get a new phone I have to feel the pain with the MS app and ask myself the Q, why don't I just spend the time to move all my Auth. accounts to Google Authenticator and be done with MS.....I cant find a reasonable reason not to, other than never having the time.
- While it does sound like a useful feature, it's for solving a different problem than I'm describing. I want a backup for when I lose access to my current phone + phone number.
- Ohh ok, I thought you are referring to it as a means of migration.
Backups or means of account recovery are typically handled at the account level by means of Backup/Recovery codes and solutions of a similar kind, per account. I'm not aware of a solution that exists at an app level that would encompass all of your accounts. These auth solutions are app permission at the account level, after all.- Ah that makes sense. Recovery provided on the account level would work.
Unfortunately not all services offer them. I started out by looking at Paypal, who don't offer backup codes. Just now I came across 3 pages of users complaining about it: https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Managing-Account/Backup-codes/td-p/1812619/page/3
I suppose we can't blame the MS Authenticator app if the services don't properly implement backup codes...