I didn't know you can do that, I thought it generates device (app) hashed codes that are synced with first code or some other magic, just today I learned it's just based on this initial code (presented as qr usually) so you can do as you say, just record it in multiple places, great idea, especially that there are even command line tools for it. I'll replicate it on my desktop next time. For now I have to go to notary and send signed docs to amazon, hopefully that'll work to get back access.

You should try Authy. I switched over to it after I got burned by Google Authenticator deleting all my tokens after an upgrade. It can store your tokens in a encrypted central location and allows you to share tokens between devices (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) It kinda freaked me out at first but now I really like it.

It's not supposed to restore them.