How can I add my new phone to authenticator when I no longer have the old phone?

heidi erickson 10 Reputation points
2023-03-16T20:32:43.7933333+00:00

I have a new cell phone and no longer have the old cell phone. How to I get the new phone on authenticator and the old one off?

Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation.
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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-16T20:41:38.56+00:00

    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

    Without a backup to restore from the only option is to work with each of the service provider's account recovery methods. The authenticator app is nothing more than a code generator. The two factor is turned on or off at the service provider end.

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

    1 person found this answer helpful.

  2. john hynes 0 Reputation points
    2023-12-01T01:40:33.1233333+00:00

    This app is all about security and helping you why would we assume there's a backup why don't they do it automatically???????!!

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