Backup and Sync 2FA accounts - Zoho OneAuth

Backup and Sync 2FA Accounts

OneAuth lets you securely back up your 2FA accounts to the Zoho Cloud and restore them on new devices using a passphrase. This ensures continued access to your accounts if you lose or change your device.

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2FA accounts added in Guest mode are not backed up or synced to the cloud. To enable backup and sync for the 2FA accounts, sign in to OneAuth with a Zoho account from the Upgrade tab, then set a passphrase.

What is a passphrase?

A passphrase is similar to a password and is used to back up your 2FA accounts securely. It encrypts your 2FA secrets before they are stored in the Zoho cloud. You must enter the passphrase to restore your 2FA accounts on a new device. The same passphrase can also be used to recover your OneAuth account.

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Zoho stores only the encrypted 2FA data, not the passphrase. If you forget the passphrase, you will not be able to restore your 2FA accounts.

Setup passphrase

  1. Open the OneAuth app.
  2. Go to the Authenticator tab and tap Back up Secrets.
  3. Tap SET UP.
  4. Enter the passphrase and re-enter it to confirm. 
    Info
    The passphrase must contain a minimum of 8 characters.
  5. Read and acknowledge the checkbox to continue.
  6. Tap Set Passphrase.

Restore 2FA accounts

You can restore previously backed-up 2FA accounts on a new device using your passphrase.
  1. Install OneAuth and sign in using your Zoho account.
    1. If you are already signed in, reopen the app or go to Settings and tap Refresh App.
  2. Go to the Authenticator tab.
  3. Tap Restore Secrets.
  4. Enter the passphrase when prompted.
  5. Tap RESTORE.


Backup 2FA accounts manually

Once restored, your 2FA accounts will be backed up automatically at regular intervals. Any newly added 2FA accounts will also be backed up the same way.
To backup manually:
  1. Android, iOS, iPad - Pull down from the top of the Authenticator tab.
  2. Mac - Press cmd + R.
  3. Windows - Click the Refresh button in the Authenticator tab.
  4. Tablet - Tap the Refresh icon in the Authenticator tab.

Change or reset passphrase

NotesImportant Note Before Changing or Resetting the Passphrase

When you change or reset your passphrase,
  1. All previously backed-up 2FA accounts will be removed from Zoho Cloud.
  2. The 2FA accounts remain on the device you are currently using.
  3. These accounts are then backed up again using the new passphrase.
  4. If additional 2FA accounts are found on your other devices, you will be prompted to back them up or delete them.
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Change or reset the passphrase only on the device that contains all required 2FA accounts. If you use OneAuth on multiple devices, ensure all your 2FA accounts are backed up on all devices before proceeding. 
Change passphrase
Reset passphrase
Change passphrase
  1. Open the OneAuth app.
  2. Go to the Settings tab.
  3. Tap Recover Account (2FA & OneAuth).
  4. Tap Edit under Passphrase.
  5. Enter your current passphrase and tap CONFIRM.
  6. On the Set Passphrase screen, enter a new passphrase and re-enter it to confirm.
  7. Tap Set Passphrase.
Reset passphrase
  1. Open the OneAuth app.
  2. Go to the Settings tab.
  3. Tap Recover Account (2FA & OneAuth).
  4. Tap Edit under Passphrase.
  5. On the Confirm Passphrase pop-up, tap Forgot Passphrase?.
  6. Tap CONTINUE.
  7. On the Reset Passphrase screen, enter a new passphrase and re-enter it to confirm.
  8. Tap Set Passphrase.