How to save your backup sign-in codes somewhere safe

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About 20 minutes to complete

Print or securely save the backup codes for your most important accounts, especially those protected by a login-code app. These codes are the only way back in if you lose your phone.

Step-by-step guide

For each account where you have set up an authenticator app, locate the recovery codes. These are usually found in Security → Two-step verification → Recovery codes.
Download or view the codes and save them in two places: a printed copy stored somewhere physically safe such as a filing cabinet, and a secure digital copy in your password manager or encrypted notes app.
Do not store recovery codes in the same place as your regular passwords. They need to be accessible even if you lose access to your password manager.
Label each set of recovery codes clearly with the account they belong to and the date they were generated.
After using a recovery code to regain access to an account, generate a new set immediately. Each code can only be used once.

5 steps

Why this matters

Backup codes are the only way back into an account protected by a login-code app if your phone is lost, stolen, or broken. Without them, you may be permanently locked out of your most important accounts. Most people download recovery codes during setup and then cannot find them when needed.

How to confirm it worked

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