Lost your phone? Google finally fixes problem of getting locked out of apps.

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Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

Google Authenticator will now back up entries to your Google account.
You can access your Authenticator entries from your new device if you lose your phone.
You’ll need to update the app for this functionality to start.

Setting up two-step verification (commonly referred to as 2FA, or “two-factor authentication”) is incredibly important if you value privacy and security. Passwords are easy to hack (and you should still strive for strong passwords), but 2FA codes aren’t nearly as simple.

For years, Google’s free app, Google Authenticator, has been a great way to use 2FA codes. There’s only been one problem: your saved entries are tied to your phone’s hardware. That means if you lose your phone, you lose your codes. This is an enormous inconvenience, as a lost phone could mean a permanent lockout of apps you use every day.