Change Default Backup Email in Microsoft Authenticator to Gmail

Question

In the Microsoft account I have two related email addresses, one is yahoo and the other gmail (two alias). I have recently assigned gmail as my main Microsoft account email. I would require the Microsoft Authenticator (Android) backup to be stored in my gmail address and not in my yahoo address. By default the backup email address used by the Microsoft Authenticator APP is the yahoo email and I would require to change it to my gmail address. How can this be done?

Answer 1

Hello Jose Luis Gonzalez,

To change the default backup email in Microsoft Authenticator from your Yahoo alias to your Gmail alias, you will need to disable the current cloud backup, delete the existing backup, and then sign in to the app using your Gmail alias before enabling backup again.

Please follow these steps:

Open Microsoft Authenticator on your Android device.

Go to Settings.

Turn off Cloud Backup.

Delete the existing backup when prompted.

Sign out of the current Microsoft account in the app.

Sign in again using your Gmail alias.

Re-enable Cloud Backup.

After completing these steps, the backup should be associated with your Gmail address.

If the Yahoo address still appears, reinstalling the Microsoft Authenticator app and signing in first with your Gmail alias should resolve the issue. Thank you

Shalika Silva

Answer 2

Hello Jose Luis Gonzalez, unfortunately the Microsoft Authenticator app does not currently support changing the backup email account directly within the app without reinstalling it. The backup email address is tied to the account used during the initial setup, and changing it requires a fresh setup. As a result, here's what you need to do.

1. Open the Authenticator app, go to Settings and select Backup. Ensure that your current data is backup to your Yahoo email address.
2. Uninstall the Authenticator app from your phone and reinstall the app from Google Play Store.
3. Open the reinstalled Authenticator app and sign in with your Gmail account.
4. Import your backup here

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