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Transfer Authenticator Accounts to New Phone

Kelli Knotts 0 Reputation points
2026-02-10T21:00:47.44+00:00

I had to get a new phone. I had multiple accounts on my Authenticator on my old phone -- all were work-related. I could not back up on my old phone. How can I transfer to my new phone?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Other
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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 60,765 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-10T21:36:53.3466667+00:00

    Hi, I'm John!

    Unfortunately, if there was no backup on your old phone, it may not be possible to directly transfer the Authenticator accounts to your new device.

    May I ask, were you using a personal Microsoft account, or a work/school account?

    If you're using a work or school account: You’ll need to contact your school’s IT helpdesk or company's admin if work and ask them to reset your Microsoft Authenticator for your school/work account so you can set it up again on your new phone.

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Regards,

    John J.D.

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-10T21:02:07.4066667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    If you were unable to back up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts on your old phone, transferring them to your new phone can be challenging. Unfortunately, without a backup, there is no direct method to transfer the accounts. However, here are some steps you can take:

    1. Re-add Accounts Manually: You will need to manually re-add each account to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone. This typically involves logging into each service and setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) again.
    2. Use Recovery Options: If your accounts have recovery options (like email or SMS), you can use those to regain access and set up 2FA again on your new device.
    3. Contact IT Support: If these accounts are work-related, consider reaching out to your IT department for assistance. They may have specific procedures for recovering or re-establishing access to your accounts.
    4. Backup in Future: For future reference, ensure that you enable iCloud backup for the Microsoft Authenticator app on your old device to facilitate easier transfers next time.

    Unfortunately, without a backup, the options are limited, and you may need to set up each account anew.

    References:

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