This guide explains how to export backups from Authenticator Extension and import previous backups to Authenticator Extension.
Prerequisites
Install Authenticator Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
When you first install Authenticator Extension in Chrome, you should pin its icon to the toolbar.
Export backup file to local machine
Go to Settings -> Backup and click Download Backup File or Download Password-Protected Backup to save a backup of your accounts to your computer.
If you haven’t set a password in Security menu, the Download Password-Protected Backup button will be hidden.
Unencrypted backup files use a standardized backup format that can be imported to other OTP clients. See Standard Backup Format to learn more.
If you have Steam or Blizzard accounts, unencrypted backup files will not use the standardized backup format.
It is strongly recommended to only use password-protected backups. A password may be set in **Settings -> Security**.
Export backup file to 3rd party storage services
Authenticator Extension can automatically backing up files to Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox. To enable cloud storage backup, click the service button to link to your cloud storage service account.
You may need to wait for a few seconds before the login page appears.
After logging in, your linked cloud account will be visible in the cloud backup page.
Import backup files
To import backup files to Authenticator extension, open the Backup menu and click the Import Backup button.
A new page will open with the following options: Import Backup File, Import QR Image Backup, and Import Text Backup.
Choose an import method based on what format of backup you have:
authenticator.json or authenticator.txt. If your backup file is plain text with a .json or .txt file extension, use Import Backup File. You may be asked to enter a password if the backup is encrypted. The file name may be different if you changed it when you export the backup file or you use cloud backup.
If you exported the backup file by clicking the Download Backup File or Download Password-Protected Backup button, look for your backup on your computer.
If you setup cloud backup, look for your backup in your cloud storage account. Authenticator uses a folder named Authenticator Backups. Backup files are named by date in the format yyyymmdd.json.
- If you have a screenshot of a QR image, use Import QR Image Backup. You can select multiple images to import more than one account at a time.
You can also import Google Authenticator accounts. In Google Authenticator, tap on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Tap on Transfer Accounts. Tap on Export Accounts. Verify your identity. Choose the account information you wish to transfer from the list. Tap on Next. Take a screenshot to save the QR image (iPhone), or take a picture with another phone/camera (Android). Then use Import QR Image Backup to import the accounts.
Google Authenticator supports exporting up to 10 accounts at one time. However, when importing to Authenticator Extension it is recommended to export five accounts at one time to prevent errors.
- If you saved your backup as a string of text instead of a file or have OTP URLs from other OTP clients, use Import Text Backup.
FAQs
Exporting backups allows you to synthesize a complete and independent full backup file out of selected restore points that are located in your backup repositories. You can transform any incremental or reverse-incremental backup chain (that is, all dependent .
What is the difference between backup restore and export import? ›
Backup: Cold backup creates a consistent copy of the database which can be RESTORED to another server. Import: A procedure through which flat files or . Csv may be introduced into your Database environment. Restore: A procedure where in the backup file is used to create a database or overwrite an existing database.
What is the difference between import and export? ›
Exporting refers to the selling of goods and services from the home country to a foreign nation. Whereas, importing refers to the purchase of foreign products and bringing them into one's home country. Further, it is divided in two ways, which are, Direct.
What is export and import backup in Oracle? ›
The Export and Import utilities provide a simple way for you to transfer data objects between Oracle databases. They are invoked with the exp and imp commands, respectively. These utilities provide support for XMLType data, whereas the Data Pump Export and Import utilities do not.
What is the difference between import and export in a database? ›
Importing data is the process of retrieving data from external sources, while exporting data is the process of extracting data from Db2® for i and copying data to another system.
Is it good to delete old backups? ›
For instance, deleting old backups can improve your backup performance, as you will have less data to transfer, encrypt, and verify. Deleting old backups can also enhance your backup security, as you will have less data to protect from unauthorized access, theft, or ransomware.
What are the two types of file backup? ›
The most common backup types are a full backup, incremental backup and differential backup. Other backup types include synthetic full backups and mirroring. In the debate over cloud vs. local backup, there are some types of backup that are better in certain locations.
Is backup and restore same? ›
Even if you're performing backups manually, it's a directional thing—backups are outgoing data, while the restore is about incoming data.
Which is better file history or backup and restore? ›
File History automatically backs up important files and documents, while the Windows Backup Tool backs up core files, settings, and apps so you can copy them to a new PC. That critical and irreplaceable file you were viewing the other day in Windows is lost or won't open.
What is an example of export and import? ›
An export is the sale of goods to a foreign country, while an import is the purchase of foreign manufactured goods in the buyer's domestic market. Ellen's country has successfully exported its tablets all over the world, including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Australia and several countries in Asia.
While importing products can help businesses reduce costs, exporting products can ensure increasing sales and sales potential in general. Businesses that focus on exporting expand their vision and markets regionally, internationally or even globally.
What happens when import is more than export? ›
If the exports of a country exceed its imports, the country is said to have a favourable balance of trade, or a trade surplus. Conversely, if the imports exceed exports, an unfavourable balance of trade, or a trade deficit, exists.
What is the difference between export and backup database? ›
Backups can be retained for up to 1 year. Exported databases are stored in Cloud Storage where, by default, they are retained until they are deleted.
What is the difference between RMAN and export backup? ›
RMAN backups can be used to restore and recover the database to any point in time within the backup retention period, while Data Pump backups can only be used to recreate the database objects as they were at the time of export or import.
What is backup and types of backup in Oracle? ›
An online or hot backup is a backup performed while the database is online and available for read/write operations. Except for Oracle exports, you can only perform online backups when running in ARCHIVELOG mode. An offline or cold backup is a backup performed while the database is offline and unavailable to its users.
What does it mean to export your data? ›
Data export is about taking your data out of a system or application, creating a file that can be used elsewhere. On the other hand, data import is the reverse process—it involves bringing external data into a system or application, allowing you to work with information from other sources.
What does export mean on my iPhone? ›
You can export photos and videos you took on your iPhone directly to an external drive, a memory card, or other storage device. Note: For photos and videos that have been edited, the unmodified original version will be exported.
What does export file mean? ›
In the context of computers, "export" means to download and save a file into an alternate format for use in a different program. Different software programs have varying ways of organizing, encoding and saving data. Sometimes, it's necessary to export a file into a certain format so other programs can recognize it.
What does export mean in Gmail? ›
You can export and download your data from Gmail. You can download data that hasn't been deleted. You can create an archive to keep for your records or use the data in another service. Learn how to download your data. If you use a work or school account, some data might not be available for download.
