microsoft authenticator app

Question

my phone screen is black and i cant use it I just want to know how I can use the authenticator app like is it an email code I can get

Answer 1

Microsoft Authenticator itself cannot send its 6‑digit codes to email. The app either:

• Shows a time-based verification code in the app, or
• Sends push notifications to approve sign-ins, or
• Acts as a passwordless sign-in method.

If the phone screen is black and the app on that device cannot be used, use one of these options instead:

1. Use alternate verification methods already on the account
   • For personal Microsoft accounts, sign in at the security page and choose another method such as SMS or backup email if they were set up previously. Microsoft can send verification codes by text or email, but only if those methods are already configured on the account.
   • If SMS or email codes are not arriving, verify that the correct phone number or email is set as security info and that messages are not blocked or going to junk. See: “Why is Microsoft texting me?”
2. Switch from SMS/email to Authenticator (for the future)
   • Once access is restored using SMS or backup email, add Microsoft Authenticator on a new device as a sign-in method and/or two-step verification method so that future sign-ins can use app notifications or codes instead of SMS.
3. If locked out with no working method
   • If no SMS, email, or other MFA method is available and the old phone cannot be used at all, the MFA methods must be reset by an administrator (for work/school accounts) or via account recovery flows (for personal accounts). This may require contacting support or a tenant/global admin to reset MFA or require re-registration.

Microsoft Authenticator codes themselves are not emailed; email/SMS are separate security methods that must be configured in advance.

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References:

• About Microsoft Authenticator
• Authentication methods in Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Authenticator app
• Why is Microsoft texting me?
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs