Problems logging into OneDrive app on Android - emailed Single Use Code always rejected as invalid

Question

I first encountered this problem on 23 June 2025.

I was able to log in to OneDrive via the browser on my Windows PC by simply entering my email address and password. However, if I tried to log in to the OneDrive app on my smartphone, as soon as I entered the email address it would initiate an email verification step. It prompts for my email address, sends a code to that email address, but then rejects the code as invalid when I enter it into the app.

I retried - same result.

I tried to reinstall OneDrive but it would only uninstall updates then reinstall them - same result.

I initiated a chat with a Microsoft agent (Case number 7079387785) who suggested reinstall (already done), and restart phone (same result), Then suggested the problem related to cache between my phone and a server so I should wait 24 hours and retry.

I waited until 28 June before retrying - same result.

The OneDrive app initiates an email verification step, but rejects the code when entered.

I have solved it, but am writing this in case it helps anyone else, and in the hope that Microsoft fixes the bug!

I'm not going to quote my email address but the one I used above, throughout, is the one I always use for Microsoft 365 / OneDrive.

Having logged into my account via my PC browser I saw that, under Security "Ways to prove who you are" there's a second email address that I've obviously provided in the past when a secondary route was demanded. This email address is listed first. The "gotcha" is that both email addresses start and finish in the same way, such that when Microsoft gives a "hint" by showing an email address with some characters obscured by asterisks, it could be either of these two email addresses.

I suspect that the generated code includes some hash of the entered email address. I also suspect that when the code is subsequently entered, it is verified using the first email address it finds.... in my case, the secondary address. I had been requesting the code via my primary OneDrive address but suspect it was validated using the secondary address.

When the app initiated the verification step and prompted for the email address, I entered my secondary address. This time, having received the email and entered the code into the app, it was accepted.

Hoorah !! Finally....

Answer 1

Hi AnotherDave

You had the issue that OneDrive won't pass verification, and you fixed it on your own. Congratulations.

You share your solution here, thank you for sharing. This will be an inspiration to other users. Problem scenario sharing and solution sharing are valuable materials for the Microsoft community, thank you for sharing on community building.

Best Regards,

Ian Trinh| Microsoft Community Support Specialist