Microsoft Authenticator

Question

Hi folks,

1) 

* I use Microsoft Authenticator to login to various Microsoft 365 and non-Microsoft accounts that I have

* I notice that approx every few days, the 3 vertical dots near the top right corner of authenticator turn red

* When in response to this I tap the 3 red dots, this leads me to 'Settings'

* Then within 'Settings' I am prompted to tap a button to re-login so to cloud back up the authentication codes

* This seems to happen regularly even though:

a) I have previously taken a cloud backup of the authentication codes

b) No new services have been added to Microsoft Authenticator since I last took a cloud back up

* Can anyone help me understand why this happens please?

2)

* I ask in the wider of context in that there's a blind gentleman who comes into volunteer for us 2 or 3 Saturdays per month

* As an interim solution, we have configured his 365 account to 2FA with his personal gmail account on his smartphone

* I'd like if possible to be able to get him on to Microsoft Authenticator for the elevated security that offers above the current 2FA with gmail that we have in place for him

* Taking this a step further, I'd like if possible to be able to deploy a 2FA smartphone for him that he can then use with other online services that he uses

* He uses a talkback app of some sort on a usb stick to plug into his PC in the office. I am unsure specifically which talkback app it is but could find out if needed

* He also has a talkback app on his smartphone

* Can anyone offer me any advice on getting this set up for him?

Any help is appreciated.

Regards,

Steve

Answer 1

Hi SteveCRF,

Thank you for choosing Microsoft community.

Based on your description, this might be due to the backup is out of date. See Troubleshoot backup and recovery problems.

Non-Microsoft accounts, such as Google, is also available to be added to the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-factor verification. You will need to turn on two-factor verification and add your Google account to the app. See Add your Google account. (Considering the other side is someone with visual disorder, please make sure the authenticator app won't be too complicated for the person in a daily basis as well as in case of emergency. Please also consider adding phone call/text message as an additional verification method for that Google account in case the authenticator app becomes unavailable and causing the account to be locked, as there have been numerous cases regarding this before.)

For the "2FA smartphone" you've mentioned, would you please kindly consult other professional device providers (or similar) who produce smart phones for visually disordered people, since we're Office 365 online support for business and thus could hardly provide any expertise. Thank you so much for your understanding!

Hope it helps!

For your reference:

• Change your two-factor verification method and settings - Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs (Only applies to Microsoft/Office 365 accounts)
• Questions & answers about Microsoft Authenticator app - Azure AD | Microsoft Docs

Thanks & Stay safe,

Qian 

Hi Qian,

Thanks for your reply and apologies for my delay in responding to your obviously constructive intervention.

"

• Backup is out-of-date: If your backup information is out-of-date, you might be asked to refresh the information by signing in to your Microsoft Recovery account again. Your recovery account is the personal Microsoft account you used initially to store your backup. If a sign-in is required, you'll see a red dot on your menu or action bar, or you’ll see an exclamation mark icon prompting you to sign in to finish restoring from backup. After you select the appropriate icon, you'll be prompted to sign in again to update your information."

Please pardon my innocence; how could a backup be out of date when there has been no changes to the list of services I 2FA with MS Authenticator?

Thanks again for any help.

Regards,

Steve

Answer 2

Hi SteveCRF,

Hope everything goes well with you.

Regarding your concern, may I know if there is any update? Thank you!

Sincerely,

Qian

Answer 3

Hi SteveCRF,

Thank you for choosing Microsoft community.

Based on your description, this might be due to the backup is out of date. See Troubleshoot backup and recovery problems.

Non-Microsoft accounts, such as Google, is also available to be added to the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-factor verification. You will need to turn on two-factor verification and add your Google account to the app. See Add your Google account. (Considering the other side is someone with visual disorder, please make sure the authenticator app won't be too complicated for the person in a daily basis as well as in case of emergency. Please also consider adding phone call/text message as an additional verification method for that Google account in case the authenticator app becomes unavailable and causing the account to be locked, as there have been numerous cases regarding this before.)

For the "2FA smartphone" you've mentioned, would you please kindly consult other professional device providers (or similar) who produce smart phones for visually disordered people, since we're Office 365 online support for business and thus could hardly provide any expertise. Thank you so much for your understanding!

Hope it helps!

For your reference:

• Change your two-factor verification method and settings - Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs (Only applies to Microsoft/Office 365 accounts)
• Questions & answers about Microsoft Authenticator app - Azure AD | Microsoft Docs

Thanks & Stay safe,

Qian