How do I authenticate my account when I am trying to SIGN THE ACCOUNT UP FOR the authenticatior app?

Bryce Ziyenge (he/him) 5 Reputation points
2024-10-23T01:58:10.5266667+00:00

I have gotten a new phone and am trying to relogin to all my accounts. There’s an issue I’m running into though. In order to sign in to my work email/outlook, I need to authenticate the login using the Authenticatior app. Since the phone is new, I have to first sign in to the account on the Authenticator app again. While I’m doing so, it asks me to AUTHENTICATE the login??? I cannot Authenticate the login while trying to sign into the Authenticator app…

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. akinbade abiola 18,305 Reputation points
    2024-10-23T07:37:33.9833333+00:00

    Thanks for your question.

    To transfer your data from one phone to another you need to backup the existing phone's MFA data.

    To move your authenticator app and configure accounts without losing data, you need to:

    • Go to your authenticator app
    • Open Microsoft Authenticator. Tap the three vertical dots at the top right, and then tap "Settings."
    • In the "Backup" section, toggle-On "Cloud Backup" on an Android phone, or "iCloud Backup" on an iPhone.
    • This will proceed to back up your data. (Note, this will back this up to the account you used to set authenticator up)

    You can then proceed to navigate to your new phone

    • Open your fresh Authenticator and navigate to recovery tool. In recovery you should see >> "Already have a back up? sign in to your recovery account"
    • Once you do this, You'll be asked to sign in to the Microsoft account you used for the backup on your old phone. Your accounts will then automatically be added to Microsoft Authenticator on your new one.

    Pls note that some accounts will ask you to revalidate, to confirm it is you. by signing in to those accounts or scanning a QR code. Microsoft Authenticator will display a message if you need to do this.

    Once done test all your accounts are present then go ahead and remove from your old phone

    Please let me know if you have further questions.

    If the above answer was helpful, please remember to "Accept Answer

    Regards,

    Abiola

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