[dtemp]

I know I can backup the contents of Google Authenticator on iOS if I perform iTunes backups with the "Encrypt backup" option checked. I'd wager that many who are backing up their phones don't have this checked, and don't realize if they have to restore their phone that the gAuth app will pretend you just installed it from scratch with no codes.

I'm not sure what the backup situation is with Android.

I've started backing up the actual strings that the app uses to generate the codes in an encrypted vault. You usually have to manually have these strings shown to you in lieu of a QR code. While creating another avenue for someone to hack you, at least I have a backup as well as a way to add a second device go show me codes. This is definitely beyond the capacity of the average user.

I think there might be online services that handle keeping codes for you? Like you can install an app on your phone, log into an account, and it presents you with all of your codes. Anyone have a recommendation for one of these that works well for them?

[nucleardog]

A lot of services also provide backup codes when you perform first setup. If you actually take those and put them in a safe place (maybe offline) like they say, that should mitigate a lot of the problems.

Let's pretend I'm a dummy user and I print all my backup codes out and throw them in a drawer somewhere. Now the only situation that locks me out of my account is both my home becoming damaged/unavailable AND my phone at the same time.

While a house fire or something could reasonably accomplish both (although I imagine most people would grab their phone before running out!), I think this reduces the risk to a point well below the "I dropped my phone in the toilet." level of not having backup codes.