Stuck in Authenticator 2fa Loop

Question

I'm experiencing Extreme frustration adding my Microsoft Workplace account to Microsoft Authenticator. When I'm prompted for an authentication code, I'm unable to because it's not in my authenticator. Once upon a time it was there, but after my phone dies quite some time ago, I lost it.

If I click "Sign in another way", I get two choices: 1: Approve request with Authenticator App 2: Use a verification code. Guess What? both options require a code from the Authenticator App. So I'm stuck.

I've tried adding the account from Authenticator by clicking +. I get two choices 1: Sign In 2: QR Code - I don't have the QR Code, and if I try Sign in - after entering credentials, it wants me to enter a code from the App. Endless loop once again.

If I login to my microsoft account and click on Security Info / Update Info, I'm prompted with the same Authenticator choices.

If I go to https://aka.ms/mfasetup - SAME THING!!

I am the administrator for our Office 365 Account. But I can't find a way to resend email with QR code.

I'm not sure why isn't SMS an option? I really could use some help here. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are the only global admin on the account and are blocked entirely, you can reach out to the Azure Data Protection team to restore access. 866-807-5850

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Answer 2

after my phone dies quite some time ago, I lost it.

You can restore from backup (assuming there was one) but make sure no accounts have been added to the newly install app. Then sign on with recovery account to do the restore.

You can recover your account credentials from your cloud account, but you must first make sure that the account you're recovering doesn't exist in the Microsoft Authenticator app. For example, if you're recovering your personal Microsoft account, you must make sure you don't have a personal Microsoft account already set up in the authenticator app. This check is important so we can be sure we're not overwriting or erasing an existing account by mistake.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/back-up-and-recover-account-credentials-in-the-authenticator-app-bb939936-7a8d-4e88-bc43-49bc1a700a40

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Answer 3

Yes, its been an option for as long as I know. The other two possibilities are try to sign in to your account but select the Sign in another way link on the Two-factor verification page.

other option is to ask the work account admins to reset the account.

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Answer 4

When I get sign in another way, I get the following... No way to receive a SMS message. if I click on use a code, the only option is the Authenticator App.

Answer 5

The sign in another way must be setup on the account prior to this. The other option is to ask the work account admins to reset the account.

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