Guides and comparisons
How two-factor codes work, how to keep them when your phone changes, and how Otter compares with the apps people usually start with. Each comparison says what the other app does better, too.
Guides
- Changing phone without losing your two-factor codesA new phone is the moment two-factor codes get lost. How to move them safely, step by step, with an encrypted backup and without a cloud account.
- Moving your two-factor accounts to another appLeaving Authy, Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator? Move each two-factor account to a new app, service by service, without getting locked out.
- Lost your phone, and your two-factor codes with itPhone lost, stolen or broken, and your two-factor codes with it. What to do first, how to get back into each account, and how to never pay for it again.
- How two-factor codes workWhat happens when an app shows you a six-digit code, why it changes every thirty seconds, and why it works with no network. TOTP and HOTP, explained simply.
Comparisons
- Otter vs AuthyAuthy needs a phone number and cannot export. Otter is a free authenticator for iPhone and Android, with no account, no cloud and an encrypted backup you keep.
- Otter vs Google AuthenticatorGoogle Authenticator can sync your codes to your Google account. Otter keeps them on your phone, encrypted, with a backup only your passphrase opens.
- Otter vs Microsoft AuthenticatorMicrosoft Authenticator is built around Microsoft accounts and cloud backup. Otter keeps your two-factor codes on your phone, with no account and no cloud.
- Otter vs AegisAegis is an excellent open source authenticator, for Android only. Otter follows the same idea, codes kept on the device, on iPhone and Android.