MFA backup and restore

Question

Hi all,

I'm planning to switch to a new phone and I use Microsoft Authenticator for multiple accounts, including personal and work (Azure AD) MFA.

I’ve enabled cloud backup on my current (old) phone and signed in with my Microsoft account. I understand that personal accounts can be restored from backup, but I want to make sure I follow the right steps to import all MFA configurations into my new phone.

Specifically:

• After enabling the backup on the old phone, what’s the correct way to restore everything on the new device?
• Will all MFA accounts restore automatically, including work/school accounts?
• If not, what’s the process for re-registering work accounts tied to Azure AD?
• Any precautions I should take before resetting or discarding the old phone?

I’d appreciate a step-by-step explanation or any gotchas I should be aware of.

Thanks in advanced

Answer 1

The accounts should restore properly, but the new phone will not be authorized. You will need login once with each a count and authorize the new device. The easiest way to authorize is with the old phone. When you authorize for the first time with the new phone, it will ask for a code which you can supply by using the app on the old phone. After restore you can click on each one to authorize, you don’t need to login to each site. But I always test after authorization of the new device. if you have setup alternative MFA options you can use them instead. I typically configure email and a phone number as alternates.