To transfer Duo Mobile to a new phone, use the built-in Duo Restore feature to back up your accounts on your old device and restore them on your new one. This process works only when moving between phones on the same operating system, such as Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone.
Before you transfer Duo Mobile to a new phone
Duo Restore is the official method for moving your Duo-protected accounts and any third-party OTP accounts (like Google or Facebook) from one phone to another. It creates a backup file that you save to a secure location, then restore on your new device. A critical limitation: Duo Restore cannot transfer accounts between different operating systems. If you are switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone, you must use your organization's self-service reactivation process instead. This typically involves logging into an organizational portal, selecting "I have a new phone" or "Re-Enroll" for the device, and scanning an on-screen QR code with your new phone. For iOS devices, check the App Store listing for Duo Mobile to see the minimum iOS version required; for Android devices, check the Google Play Store listing to determine the minimum Android version supported. Ensure that your new device has enough storage space to accommodate the app.
Step 1: Back up Duo Mobile on your old phone
Before you can set up Duo Mobile on a new phone, you need a backup from your current device.
- Open the Duo Mobile app on your old phone.
- Navigate to the app's settings or preferences.
- Locate the backup or transfer option and follow the prompts to create a Duo Restore backup file.
- Save the backup file to a secure location, such as cloud storage or your computer, where you can easily access it from your new phone.
This backup contains all your Duo-protected accounts and any third-party OTP accounts you have added.
Step 2: Restore Duo Mobile on your new phone
With the backup file saved, you can now set up a Duo Mobile account on your new device by restoring from that file.
- Install the Duo Mobile app on your new phone from the official app store (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS).
- Open the app on your new phone.
- Choose the restore option from the settings or initial setup screen.
- Select the backup file you created in Step 1 and follow the prompts to complete the restoration.
Your Duo-protected accounts and third-party OTP accounts will now appear on your new phone.
Step 3: Verify and secure your accounts
After restoring, test a few of your accounts by going through the two-factor authentication process on your new phone to confirm everything works. Verify that all your accounts are listed and accessible, and test the two-factor authentication process for a few accounts. Note that restoring Duo-protected accounts to your new device automatically deactivates them on your old phone, so those accounts are no longer usable from the old device. However, restoring third-party OTP accounts does not deactivate them on the old phone. You should manually delete these third-party accounts from the Duo Mobile app on your old phone to ensure they are not left accessible. Remember to delete the Duo Mobile app from your old phone once you've completed the transfer to ensure the security of your accounts. Enable device-specific notifications and settings on your new phone to enhance the security of your two-factor authentication process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when switching from iPhone to Android?
Duo Restore cannot transfer accounts between different operating systems. When switching from iPhone to Android (or vice versa), you must use your organization's self-service reactivation process. Log into your organizational portal, select "I have a new phone" or "Re-Enroll," and scan the on-screen QR code with your new phone.
Will I lose my Duo Mobile accounts when transferring to a new phone?
No, your accounts are not lost during the transfer. Duo Restore backs up all your Duo-protected and third-party OTP accounts and restores them to your new device. Your Duo-protected accounts are automatically deactivated on the old phone as part of the process.
Can I use Duo Restore if my old phone is lost or broken?
No, Duo Restore requires you to create a backup file on your old phone before the transfer. If your old phone is lost or broken, you will need to use your organization's self-service reactivation process to re-enroll each account individually on your new device.
Do I need to delete Duo Mobile from my old phone after transferring?
Duo-protected accounts are automatically deactivated on the old phone when restored to the new device, so the app itself is no longer functional for those accounts. However, you should manually delete any third-party OTP accounts from the old phone, as those are not deactivated automatically.
Can I transfer third-party accounts like Google or Facebook using Duo Restore?
Yes, Duo Restore backs up and restores third-party OTP accounts alongside your Duo-protected accounts. Just remember that these third-party accounts are not automatically deactivated on the old phone, so you must delete them manually from the old device after the transfer.
