Change backup account in Microsoft Authenticator

Mike Pagán 31

I would like to change the account that I am using to backup my Authenticator accounts. I thought I'd be able to disable my existing backup account (which does remove the personal account) and then re-enable it, but when I enable backup again, it chooses the original account and does not allow me to change the personal account.

ME 0 Reputation points

2023-08-16T03:04:37.3333333+00:00

Unfortunately this does not work, it returns to the old account when backups re-enabled.

1 answer

Jade 1 Reputation point

2021-07-30T11:52:40.18+00:00
This is a method that worked for me. I changed my recovery email to another Microsoft account. I don't know if it will work for other accounts such as Google, etc.

Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.

Click 「add account」

Click 「personal account」

Log in to the account you want to be your recovery email.

Check the backup if the recovery email changed.
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Physion-opolis 16 Reputation points

2021-11-29T21:16:39.293+00:00

Hi MJPagan. Unfortunately, Jade-Brmd did not provide adequate details when responding and provide additional context as to what else you need to do. It would also need to be clarified as to which device you are on, as that plays a role (Android/Cloud Backup and iphone/iCloud Backup).

At any rate, the first thing you need to do is add a Personal Microsoft Account. Just click the plus in the upper right and select Personal Microsoft Account. It's similar on both devices.

After you have added your alternate account, you must disable your cloud backup (either icloud or cloud). There is a toggle selection that you will need to turn 'off'. you will get a warning that your backups will be deleted. Once cloud backups are disabled, toggle the selection back "On". Once you do that, you will then be able to select which Microsoft account you want to use for your recovery. Simply select your new email account you added, and follow the prompts. Once that is complete, backups will be enabled once again with your new Microsoft email account.

Simply adding the email, as Jade-Brmd suggested, will not work. You have to disable your cloud backups, then re-enable them, to actually make the change.

Hope this helps -

dascutta 1 Reputation point

2022-07-24T06:02:02.807+00:00

tysm, you are a genius, I've been trying to do this for days
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Change backup account in Microsoft Authenticator

1 answer