How to add an account to authenticator when authenticator is the only method to authenticate?

DougP 0 Reputation points
2023-03-24T01:41:43.8733333+00:00

Authenticator is broken. I've lost access to my Azure account with my work (NOT PERSONAL) email address.

100% CRYSTAL CLEAR UNDERSTANDING PLEASE: I DO NOT HAVE AN IT DEPARTMENT TO CONTACT. YES I NOW UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTAL MISTAKE WAS SETTING UP MY AZURE ACCOUNT AND SELECTING THE EMAIL TYPE AS WORK INSTEAD OF PERSONAL. 2FA IS NOT REQUIRED FOR PERSONAL ACCOUNTS ON AZURE.

STEPS ALREADY TAKEN:

  1. I CANNOT ADD MY ACCOUNT BACK INTO AUTHENTICATOR BECAUSE IT WANTS TO USE ITSELF TO AUTHENTICATE THE PROCESS.
  2. I CANNOT USE A QR CODE BECAUSE I AM NOT PART OF SOME ORGANIZATION WITH AN IT DEPARTMENT.
  3. I CANNOT USE A NUMERIC CODE AS AN ALTERNATIVE LOGIN METHOD BECUASE THIS REQUIRES AN ACCOUNT IN AUTHENTICATOR TO AUTHENTICATE AGAINST.
  4. I CANNOT RESTORE FROM A BACKUP BECAUSE I KEEP GETTING AN INVALID ACCOUNT OR PASSOWRD ERROR. I CANNOT CHANGE THE PASSWORD IN AUTHENTICATOR BECUASE ITS WANT TO USE ITSELF TO AUTHENTICATE THE PROCESS.
  5. I CAN LOGIN INTO MY MYCROSOFT ACCOUNT ONLINE IN A BROWSER. I CHANGED THE PASSWORD. DOES NOT RESOLVE STEP 4.

HOW IS THIS CIRCULAR PROBLEM RESOLVED? IF IT CANNOT BE RESOLVED WILL MICROSOFT STOP BILLING ME FOR MY ACTIVE AZURE SUBSCRIPTIONS WHICH I CAN NO LONGER ACCESS?

OH YEAH FORGOT THE KICKER IN ALL OF THIS: I CANNOT SUBMIT A SUPPORT TICKET BECAUSE I NEED TO AUTHENTICATE WITH AUTHENTICATOR TO SUBMIT THE TICKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.
6,556 questions
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-24T01:48:15.0533333+00:00

    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

    Also, for the future, you can create an emergency access account (break glass) in Azure AD. This account will help prevent being accidentally locked out of your Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) organization because you can't sign in for any reason. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/roles/security-emergency-access

    Some other support options inclde; AzureSupport https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/global-customer-service-phone-numbers-c0389ade-5640-e588-8b0e-28de8afeb3f2 azcommunity@microsoft.com

    recovery form https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

    or creating a ticket through a different account: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/get-help-support?view=o365-worldwide#phone-support

    -

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


Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.