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🔐 Two-Factor Auth (2FA)

What Happens to Your Authy Account When You Die

Critical2FA AppCloud-Synced
Without the phone that has the authenticator app, you may be locked out of every account that uses 2FA. Keep the deceased's phone active and charged.

Quick Facts

Urgency

Critical — controls access to other accounts

Cloud Sync

Yes — recoverable with phone number

Multi-Device

Can be installed on multiple devices

Backup Password

Required to decrypt cloud backups

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Keep the deceased's phone active

Authy codes are generated on the phone. Keep it charged and do not factory reset it. If multi-device is enabled, install Authy on another device using the same phone number.

2

Recover via phone number

Authy is tied to a phone number. If you can maintain the deceased's phone number (contact the carrier), you can install Authy on a new device and recover the account.

3

Find the backup password

Authy encrypts cloud backups with a separate backup password. Without it, restored tokens cannot be decrypted. Check physical records for this password.

4

Use codes to access linked accounts

Once Authy is accessible, use the 2FA codes to access each linked account. Document which accounts use Authy for 2FA.

Document Now Checklist

  • Phone number linked to Authy
  • Backup password location
  • Multi-device enabled (yes/no)
  • List of accounts using Authy for 2FA
  • Devices Authy is installed on

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Authy. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Related Guides

🔐

What is 2FA?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the single biggest barrier families face when accessing accounts after death. If 2FA is enabled on an account and nobody has the authenticator device or backup codes, the account may be permanently inaccessible.

Google Authenticator

Open Google Authenticator → tap your profile icon → turn on sync. This backs up your 2FA codes to your Google account so they survive phone loss.

Authy

Settings → Devices → Allow multi-device. This lets you add Authy to multiple phones or tablets. If multi-device is off and the phone is lost, recovery is extremely difficult.

Browse all 1,800+ platform guidesDigital Readiness ScoreWhat is 2FA? guideGoogle Authenticator guide

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