OTP Authenticator - Backup and Sync | OneAuth

Backup and sync 2FA accounts

In OneAuth, you can securely back up all your 2FA accounts to Zoho Cloud and restore them whenever you need.

The reasons why you should back up the 2FA accounts are:
  1. 2FA secrets (secret key that you used to add the 2FA account in OneAuth)are unique to each 2FA account you have. OneAuth uses these secrets to generate OTPs for your two step verification needs. If you lose access to the device in which OneAuth is installed and no 2FA accounts (with secret keys) are backed up, these accounts will be lost and you will not be able to access any of these 2FA accounts with OneAuth.
  2. The backup feature allows you to synchronize the accounts with multiple devices. You can set up secondary OneAuth devices, and use whichever is available to you.

What is required to back up 2FA accounts?

(1) A Zoho account:

You will need to create a Zoho account to store the 2FA accounts (2FA secrets and other account details). All the secrets in 2FA accounts will be encrypted. The 2FA accounts are backed up in this Zoho account. You can use this account to restore the stored 2FA accounts to new devices.

(2) Passphrase:

You will need to set up a passphrase when backing up your 2FA accounts. This passphrase will be used to encrypt your 2FA secrets .The 2FA accounts will be stored in your Zoho account. When you want to restore your 2FA accounts to a new device, you will be asked to enter this passphrase. The reason for this encryption is to make sure that your 2FA accounts are stored securely and can't be accessed by anyone (including Zoho). You should note that only the 2FA accounts will be stored by Zoho and not the passphrase. If you forget the passphrase, you will not be able to restore your 2FA accounts.

How to back up 2FA accounts?

First, create a Zoho account by going to the Upgrade tab, then tap Create Zoho Account. If you already have a Zoho account, sign in with it instead.

After you have signed in, follow the steps below to backup your 2FA accounts:
  1. Open OneAuth on your mobile device.
  2. Go to the Authenticator tab, then tap Backup Secrets.
  3. You will be asked to set up a passphrase. Tap SET UP.
  4. Enter a passphrase of your choice, then tap Next.
  5. Re-enter the passphrase, then tap Done.
When you add new online accounts to OneAuth, their 2FA accounts will be backed up at regular intervals automatically. To manually back up your 2FA accounts , pull down from the top in Authenticator tab.

How to restore 2FA accounts?

  1. Install OneAuth on your new device and sign in with your Zoho account.
  2. Go to the Authenticator tab.
  3. Tap Restore Secrets. You will be asked to enter your passphrase.
  4. Enter the passphrase, then tap RESTORE.
Once you tap RESTORE, all the previously backed up 2FA accounts will be restored to your current device from the cloud. This is performed by decrypting the 2FA secrets using your passphrase.

How to change passphrase?

Important note:

For security reasons, when you change your passphrase:
> All the previously backed up 2FA accounts will be deleted from Zoho Cloud. They will not be deleted from the device you're currently using to change the passphrase.
> The current secrets present in the device on which you change the passphrase will be backed up fresh to Zoho Cloud.

Make sure you change your passphrase from the device which has all the required 2FA accounts, because only the 2FA accounts present on that device will be backed up and the rest present on other devices will be deleted permanently.
  1. Open OneAuth on your mobile device.
  2. Go to the Settings tab, then tap Recovery.
  3. Tap Edit below the passphrase.
  4. Enter a new passphrase, then tap Next.
  5. Re-enter the passphrase, then tap Done.

    Zoho CRM Training Programs

    Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

    Zoho CRM Training
      Redefine the way you work
      with Zoho Workplace

        Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

        If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

        Zoho CRM Training

          Create, share, and deliver

          beautiful slides from anywhere.

          Get Started Now


            Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

            BOOK A SESSION








                                You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                    Manage your brands on social media

                                      Zoho Desk Resources

                                      • Desk Community Learning Series


                                      • Digest


                                      • Functions


                                      • Meetups


                                      • Kbase


                                      • Resources


                                      • Glossary


                                      • Desk Marketplace


                                      • MVP Corner


                                      • Word of the Day


                                        Zoho Marketing Automation

                                          Zoho Sheet Resources

                                           

                                              Zoho Forms Resources


                                                Secure your business
                                                communication with Zoho Mail


                                                Mail on the move with
                                                Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                  Stay on top of your schedule
                                                  at all times


                                                  Carry your calendar with you
                                                  Anytime, anywhere




                                                        Zoho Sign Resources

                                                          Sign, Paperless!

                                                          Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                          Get Started Now




                                                                  Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                          Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                            Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                            Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                            REGISTER NOW


                                                                              Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                              Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                              Get Started Now







                                                                                            You are currently viewing the help articles of Sprints 1.0. If you are a user of 2.0, please refer here.

                                                                                            You are currently viewing the help articles of Sprints 2.0. If you are a user of 1.0, please refer here.



                                                                                                  • Related Articles

                                                                                                  • Secure non-Zoho accounts using OneAuth's OTP authenticator

                                                                                                    Note : This article explains how you can use OneAuth to secure your non-Zoho accounts. If you want to secure your Zoho account using OneAuth, check out the article Set up OneAuth for your Zoho account. Using OneAuth's OTP authenticator, you can ...
                                                                                                  • Import 2FA accounts from Google Authenticator

                                                                                                    This feature is only available in OneAuth version 3. Download it for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. In Google Authenticator Tap More in the top-right corner. (On Android device) Tap Transfer accounts > Export accounts. (On iOS device) Tap Export ...
                                                                                                  • Add 2FA accounts

                                                                                                    Note: This article explains how you can use OneAuth to add your 2FA account's secrets and get verification codes. If you want to secure your Zoho account using OneAuth, check out the article Set up MFA for Zoho account. Using OneAuth's OTP ...
                                                                                                  • Organize 2FA accounts

                                                                                                    This feature is only available in OneAuth version 3. Download it for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. You can easily organize and manage your OTP accounts by adding them to different folders. You can use the default "MY ACCOUNTS" folder or create a ...
                                                                                                  • What is an OTP authenticator in Zoho OneAuth?

                                                                                                    One-time Passcode (OTP) authenticator is Zoho OneAuth's in-built two-factor authentication (TFA) module. You can use the OTP authenticator to secure your business and social accounts like Google, Microsoft, or Facebook. You can also use the OTP ...
                                                                                                    Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                    your workplace

                                                                                                      Resources

                                                                                                      Videos

                                                                                                      Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                      eBooks

                                                                                                      Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                      Webinars

                                                                                                      Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                      CRM Tips

                                                                                                      Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                        Zoho Show Resources