Microsoft Authenticator Sign in

Question

The Microsoft authenticator app signed me out of all my accounts. Now I am trying to sign back in all of them but I cannot. After entering the emails and the passwords, it requires to:

“Enter the code displayed in the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device”

But I cannot do that because I am already in the app on my phone, I am not signed in yet, and I am trying to sign in!

Answer 1

None of the methods work

Answer 2

This loop happens when all sign-in methods point back to Microsoft Authenticator, but the app itself is not yet registered or restored.

Use one of these supported paths, depending on the type of account and what recovery options are available.

1. Try an alternate verification method

• On the sign-in screen where it says “Enter the code displayed in the Microsoft Authenticator app,” choose Other ways to sign in (or similar) if shown.
• Select another method such as:
  • SMS/text code
  • Email code
  • Backup email
  • Phone call
• Complete verification with that method, then:
  • Sign in to the account security page and add at least one additional sign-in method (SMS, email, etc.).
  • Re-add Microsoft Authenticator as a method and complete registration.

2. If Authenticator was previously backed up If Authenticator backup was enabled:

• Install/open Microsoft Authenticator on the phone.
• On Android, select Restore from backup or Begin recovery before signing in.
• Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account that was used for backup; this restores:
  • One-time password codes for personal and third-party accounts.
  • Account names for passwordless and work/school accounts (these will still require sign-in again).
• For any account showing Sign in to restore your account or Action required, tap it and complete sign-in with password and additional verification.

If Restore from backup is not visible:

• Remove or sign out of all accounts in Authenticator, then reopen the app; the restore option should appear.

3. If unable to restore and no alternate method works

• For personal Microsoft accounts where backup cannot be accessed, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper to regain access to the backup account, then repeat the restore steps.
• If still unable to restore, each account must be added again using its original setup method (QR code or secret key) from that service’s security settings.

4. Work or school accounts (Microsoft Entra / Microsoft 365)

• If this is a work or school account and there is an IT/admin team:
  • Ask the administrator to reset MFA / require re-registration of MFA in the Microsoft Entra admin center.
  • After reset, sign in again and register Authenticator from scratch.
• If this is a business tenant and the affected account is the only admin, contact Microsoft support by phone and request escalation to the Data Protection team to reset MFA for the admin account.

5. If Authenticator itself will not complete sign-in If the app shows errors like incomplete setup or cannot complete sign-in:

• Ensure push notifications are enabled and the device has network connectivity.
• Make sure the device is not rooted/jailbroken and has a PIN/biometric and hardware encryption enabled (for work/school accounts).
• If issues persist, remove the problematic account from Authenticator and re-add it after the admin or alternate method has reset MFA.

The key is to first get into at least one account using an alternate method or admin reset, then either restore from backup or re-register Authenticator. Without an alternate verification method or admin reset, the loop cannot be broken from within the app alone.

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References:

• Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator
• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• About Microsoft Authenticator
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Authenticator Did Not Complete Login
• Microsoft Authenticator app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A