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🔐 Two-Factor Auth (2FA)

What Happens to Your Ente Auth Account When You Die

Critical2FA AppEnd-to-End EncryptedCross-Platform
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 — end-to-end encrypted sync

Cross-Platform

iOS, Android, Web, Desktop

Recovery

Recovery key required for new device

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Access on any synced device

Ente Auth syncs across devices. Check if it's installed on the deceased's phone, tablet, or computer. The web app at auth.ente.io may also be logged in.

2

Find the recovery key

Ente provides a recovery key during setup. This key is needed to restore access on a new device. Check physical storage locations.

3

Log in with Ente account credentials

If you have the Ente account email and password, you can log into auth.ente.io to access all stored 2FA codes.

4

Export codes while you have access

Once you have access, export all 2FA codes immediately. Ente Auth supports plaintext export for migration.

Document Now Checklist

  • Ente account email
  • Ente account password location
  • Recovery key location
  • Devices with Ente Auth installed
  • List of accounts using Ente Auth

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Ente Auth. 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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