Authenticator App

Question

Authenticator App

Christina Thompson 0

Hello, I have tried signing into roads and maritimes for NSW Australia numerous times to renew a certificate however I need the 6 character code from my Authenticator app and no matter what I do - deleting the app, reinstalling nothing works to receive this - at all.

It’s more than frustrating when the same issue happened a week ago.

I even added my alternate email which sent me a 6 digit verification code with no instructions on where I was even meant to use this?

My single use code: ‘Only enter this code on an official website or app. Don't share it with anyone. We'll never ask for it outside an official platform.’ It was a 6 digit code - not 8.

Pauline Mbabu 1,835 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-04-13T08:46:33.4066667+00:00

Hello Christina,
The issue you are experiencing is due to different authentication flows being used together, where Microsoft Authenticator is not actually the source of the code being requested. Microsoft Authenticator only displays a time based one time password when a service is explicitly configured to use it, but many government services, including Roads and Maritime NSW, use their own identity systems that may rely on email verification codes or push approvals instead. The 6 digit code sent to your alternate email and the single use code email are Microsoft account verification codes that are only valid on the exact screen that triggered them and cannot be entered elsewhere, which is why there was no place to use them during the Roads and Maritime sign in process. Reinstalling the Authenticator app does not resolve this because the MFA configuration is controlled entirely by the service you are signing into, not by Microsoft. To proceed, you need to contact Service NSW or Roads and Maritime digital support and request an MFA reset or re enrollment. For reference, see Microsoft guidance on Authenticator behavior at https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/troubleshoot-problems-with-microsoft-authenticator-3151af41-9a34-4b54-b9d0-35a6dbb6ac98 and Microsoft account verification codes at https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/learn-about-security-codes-and-two-step-verification-cc1a1d5e-5a13-4b8e-8c5c-8af3949dd2b7.

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Pauline Mbabu 1,835 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-04-13T08:46:33.4066667+00:00

Hello Christina,
The issue you are experiencing is due to different authentication flows being used together, where Microsoft Authenticator is not actually the source of the code being requested. Microsoft Authenticator only displays a time based one time password when a service is explicitly configured to use it, but many government services, including Roads and Maritime NSW, use their own identity systems that may rely on email verification codes or push approvals instead. The 6 digit code sent to your alternate email and the single use code email are Microsoft account verification codes that are only valid on the exact screen that triggered them and cannot be entered elsewhere, which is why there was no place to use them during the Roads and Maritime sign in process. Reinstalling the Authenticator app does not resolve this because the MFA configuration is controlled entirely by the service you are signing into, not by Microsoft. To proceed, you need to contact Service NSW or Roads and Maritime digital support and request an MFA reset or re enrollment. For reference, see Microsoft guidance on Authenticator behavior at https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/troubleshoot-problems-with-microsoft-authenticator-3151af41-9a34-4b54-b9d0-35a6dbb6ac98 and Microsoft account verification codes at https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/learn-about-security-codes-and-two-step-verification-cc1a1d5e-5a13-4b8e-8c5c-8af3949dd2b7.

Answer 1

AI answer

It seems you are experiencing issues with receiving the 6-digit code from your Microsoft Authenticator app. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

Check Time Synchronization: Ensure that the time settings on your device and the computer you are using are synchronized. If the clocks are out of sync, it can cause issues with the codes generated by the Authenticator app.
Use Recovery Email: Since you mentioned receiving a verification code on your alternate email, this code is typically used for account recovery or verification. Make sure you are entering it in the correct location, usually on the login page where it asks for a verification code.
App Permissions: Ensure that the Authenticator app has the necessary permissions to send notifications. Sometimes, notifications can be blocked by device settings.
Reinstalling the App: While you mentioned you have already tried deleting and reinstalling the app, make sure to restart your device after reinstalling to ensure all settings are refreshed.
Alternative Authentication Methods: If you continue to have problems, consider using alternative authentication methods such as SMS or phone call verification, if available.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to reach out to the support team for the service you are trying to access for further assistance.

References:

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