New phone, locked out of MFA work admin account

Question

I recently got a new phone (old phone was damaged). I had iCloud backups turned on in Microsoft Authenticator. I successfully restored most of the accounts in Authenticator, but my work account wants me to scan the QR code to finish the account recovery. However, without MFA I cannot login to get the QR code. I have a recovery email and phone number setup for other MFA options, but I am never prompted to use them.

This is a small organization and my account is the only administrator account, so I cannot access the user admin console and reset MFA. How can I turn off MFA so I can get this working again and regain access to my account? I understand there is a process that requires a 30 day waiting period; I am ok with that if it will solve the problem.

Best,
Paul

Answer 1

Another possibility is to try to sign in to your account but select the Sign in another way link (assumes another way was set up) on the Two-factor verification page.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/common-problems-with-two-step-verification-for-a-work-or-school-account-63acbb9b-16a1-47b9-8619-6a865e8071a5

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

@Dave Patrick Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I don't see a Sign in another way. Clicking I can't use my Authenticator app right now only give me 2 options: Approve sign-in in Authenticator, or enter a code from the Authenticator app.

Answer 3

Unfortunately these options are not default and must be setup on account prior.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/common-problems-with-two-step-verification-for-a-work-or-school-account-63acbb9b-16a1-47b9-8619-6a865e8071a5

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 4

I'm leaving it open right now hoping for a solution. I need a way to remove MFA from that account, even if it means waiting for 30 days.

Answer 5

Sounds good, still difficult to know if this is an authenticator problem or sounding more like a microsoft account issue. Assuming the latter, then read on here.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/-your-security-info-change-is-still-pending-or-you-can-t-access-this-site-right-now-microsoft-account-message-cbd0f64f-02d9-45d2-90c3-2375e5a72e52#:~:text=When%20all%20security%20info%20is,unauthorized%20access%20to%20your%20account.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--