How To Move Steam Authenticator To New Phone

To move Steam authenticator to a new phone, use the Move Authenticator option in the Steam Guard menu on the new device while you still have access to the old authenticator. If the old phone is lost or broken, select "I no longer have access to my authenticator" during sign-in and complete recovery using an SMS code sent to the phone number on your account.

Install Steam and sign in on your new phone

Download the Steam Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store on your new device. Open the app and sign in using your Steam account credentials. After signing in, you will be ready to transfer the authenticator.

Transfer using Move Authenticator

This is the primary path when you still have access to the old authenticator.

You should complete any pending confirmation requests or trades in the Steam Authenticator app on the old phone before proceeding.
The old phone must be connected to the internet to access and use the Steam Authenticator app.
On the new phone, open the Steam Mobile app and go to Steam Guard.
Select Move Authenticator.
Steam will send a confirmation code to the phone number on your account. Enter that code in the app.
After the transfer completes, Steam displays a Recovery code. Write it down and store it safely.
You may want to sign out of your Steam account on your old phone as an optional extra security step.

If you need to set up Duo Mobile on a new phone for other accounts, the process is different from moving a Steam authenticator and requires following Duo Mobile's own setup instructions.

What to do if you no longer have the old authenticator

When you cannot access the old authenticator, use the SMS-based recovery fallback. If you lose your old phone before moving the authenticator, Steam Support can assist with account recovery after verifying ownership.

On the new phone, install the Steam Mobile app and begin signing in.
When prompted to confirm the sign-in attempt, select "I no longer have access to my authenticator."
Steam will send an SMS code to the phone number on your account. Enter that code to complete the recovery and set up the authenticator on the new device.

This method requires a phone number to be on your Steam account for SMS verification.

Save your recovery code

The Recovery code Steam displays after a successful transfer is your backup if you lose access to the authenticator again. Write it down and store it in a secure location separate from your phone. Without this code, recovering your account becomes significantly more difficult if you cannot use SMS or the authenticator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my Steam authenticator without the old phone?

Yes, but only if you have a phone number on your Steam account that can receive SMS. During sign-in on the new phone, choose "I no longer have access to my authenticator" and follow the SMS recovery steps.

Will moving the authenticator affect my Steam Guard settings?

No. After the transfer, your Steam Guard settings remain the same, including any trade or market confirmation requirements you have enabled.

Do I need to disable Steam Guard on the old phone first?

No. Steam documents the Move Authenticator path on the new device, which handles the transfer without requiring you to disable Steam Guard on the old phone separately.

What happens if I lose my recovery code?

If you lose both the authenticator and the recovery code, you may need to contact Steam Support and provide proof of account ownership to regain access. Store the recovery code safely to avoid this situation.