Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 244 – Switching MFA Apps

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: November 30, 2025
Episode Focus: How to switch from Authy or another multi-factor authentication (MFA) app to a new service — safely, step by step, with practical advice and crucial warnings.

Overview

This episode centers on the practical realities and challenges of switching from one multi-factor authentication (MFA) app to another, prompted by a listener question. Micah Sargent walks the audience through why people want to leave Authy, how to approach the switch safely (without risking account access), and what key lessons and pitfalls to consider. The tone is conversational, highly practical, and supportive, with a strong emphasis on security best practices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Question: The Authy Dilemma

[01:27–03:00]

• Listener Daniel writes in, worried about moving from Authy now that it's harder to switch out credentials and get out of the “walled garden.”
• Daniel considers moving to Proton, Microsoft, or Google, but dreads the work of resetting MFA for multiple accounts.

Micah:

• Affirms this dilemma is common as users outgrow MFA services, especially those with proprietary systems like Authy’s.
• Emphasizes that many find it “enough to just use your password management app as your multi-factor authentication app” (03:00).
• Points out Authy’s desktop app previously made export easier, but it has been deprecated, complicating the process.

“Authy... tries to do Multi Factor authentication in a bit of a proprietary way... it’s different from the other ways of doing Multi Factor authentication…”
—Micah Sargent [03:05]

2. The Step-By-Step Method: Moving Your MFA Codes

[04:15–06:00]

• There’s no bulk export from Authy (especially after desktop app’s retirement).

• Each site where you use Authy for authentication needs manual attention:

  • Log in to each service using Authy as usual.
  • Navigate to the account’s MFA settings; look for options like “Change Authenticator App”, “Set up new device”, or outright disabling and re-enabling MFA.
  • Register your new MFA app (Proton, 1Password, Google, Microsoft, etc.) by scanning the freshly provided QR code.

• Tedious, especially if you have many accounts, but...

  • Once complete, returning to a standardized, portable MFA setup will make future moves easier.
  • This is (hopefully) a one-time hassle with long-term portability benefits.

“The good news is once you’re out of Authy… it’s going to be much more portable at that point. So you do this once, you move to something more portable and then you’re good to go from there…”
—Micah Sargent [05:40]

3. Security Warnings: Resist the Temptation to “Hack” Your Way Out

[09:02–10:30]

• Micah strongly warns against following shady online advice or using sketchy tools for exporting Authy tokens:
  • Methods involving jailbroken devices or unofficial desktop apps are risky; sites may direct you to unverified downloads or dangerous software.
  • Even with export guides, “this is shady stuff” and “very risky.”
• The safe path: Do it manually, one service at a time — it might be slow, but it protects your security and accounts.

“You can do a little Google or do another kind of search online… and you will learn about some other ways of exporting… but this is shady stuff… It is not worth it to run the risk of having those codes scooped up and used in other means.”
—Micah Sargent [09:18]

4. Listener Engagement & Advice

[10:50–12:00]

• Micah calls for more questions and feedback, reinforcing Hands-On Tech’s interactive and community-driven format.
• Reminds listeners to reach out at hot@twit.tv with successes, issues, or new ideas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the core hassle:
  “That could take a while, but that is what it takes.” [04:55]
• On the dangers of sketchy exports:
  “Any security person out there… will go [groans]… it is not worth it.” [09:30]
• On the silver lining:
  “Once you’re out of Authy… you’re good to go from there.” [05:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Daniel’s question—why Authy is hard to leave | 01:27–03:00 | | How to migrate MFA apps, step by step | 04:15–06:00 | | Security warnings re: manual/automated export | 09:02–10:30 | | Listener feedback, invitation | 10:50–12:00 |

Additional Resources & Recommendations

• Check out previous Hands-On Tech episodes for a deeper look at MFA app choices.
• For questions or feedback: hot@twit.tv

Takeaway

Switching away from an MFA app like Authy is tedious, but necessary for long-term flexibility and security. Always favor the slow, manual, and secure approach over sketchy shortcuts. Once you make the move, your future MFA management will be far more portable and less of a hassle.