how do I sync an account on microsoft authenticator on my ipad to my iphone

Question

on my ipad i have an authenticator account (one of my three) that helps me get into a secured teams account. I want this account to also show up on my iphone so i can authenticate my teams account and the files within in on my iphone. please help

Answer 1

Hello Schreiber,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

To have the same Microsoft Authenticator account available on both your iPad and iPhone, you’ll need to use the cloud backup and recovery feature. Here’s how you can do it:

 1. On your iPad (where the account already exists):

• Open Microsoft Authenticator on your iPad.
• Go to Settings (gear icon).
• Turn ON "Cloud backup" or "iCloud Backup".
• Sign in with your Microsoft Account (e.g., Outlook.com, Hotmail.com). This is crucial.
• Force a backup if possible ("Back up now").

2. On your iPhone (where you want the account):

• Install and open the Microsoft Authenticator app.
• Choose Begin Recovery (or Restore from Backup).
• Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used on your iPad.
• Wait for your accounts to download automatically.

3. Verify and Clean Up:

• Test sign-in to ensure your Teams account and other logins work correctly on the iPhone.
• (Optional) Once confirmed, you may remove the account from your iPad’s Authenticator app to avoid confusion.

 Alternative (if backup/recovery doesn’t work):

• On your iPhone, manually add the account in the Authenticator app (+ button).
• For work/school accounts like Teams, you may need to scan a QR code or reauthenticate through your organization’s security portal.

Troubleshooting (Quick Tips):

• No Backup: Ensure you're using the same Microsoft Account on both devices, backup is enabled on the iPad, and you have a good internet connection.
• Missing Accounts: Some accounts might need to be added manually if they weren't included in the backup.
• Work/School Account: Contact your IT help desk if you have problems.
• App Updates Ensure that both devices have the most up to date version of the app.

I hope this information is helpful. If you need any further assistance or have additional questions, please feel free to reach out.