How often does the Microsoft Authenticator do a backup on Android?

Question

I added a few accounts to the Microsoft Authenticator app on Android and the next day, I restored it on a different device. The latest added accounts did not show up.

There's no way to manually trigger a sync/backup on the app. I had to remove the backup and enable it again to trigger a backup.

Anyone knows the frequency of backup for the authenticator?

Answer 1

The Microsoft Authenticator app on Android does not perform automatic backups on a fixed frequency. Instead, it relies on the built-in backup functionality provided by the Android operating system.

By default, the Android backup service performs periodic backups of app data, including the Microsoft Authenticator app, to your Google Drive account. The frequency and timing of these backups can vary depending on various factors, such as your device's settings and network conditions.

To ensure that your Microsoft Authenticator app data is backed up regularly, you can check if the backup settings on your Android device are enabled and properly configured. Here's how to do it:

1. On your Android device, go to "Settings."
2. Look for the "System" or "Backup & Restore" option.
3. Open the backup settings and verify that the option to back up app data is enabled.
4. Ensure that your Google account is selected as the backup account.

Keep in mind that if you recently added new accounts to the Microsoft Authenticator app, it may take some time for the Android backup service to perform a backup and synchronize the data to your new device

Answer 2

The Microsoft Authenticator app on Android does not automatically perform regular backups on its own. Instead, it offers a manual backup option that you can set up to ensure your account information is saved securely. Here's how it works:

Backup Options for Microsoft Authenticator

Cloud Backup via Microsoft Account:

• Manual Backup: You need to enable backup manually by going into the app settings.
  • Setup: Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, go to the Settings menu, and select Backup. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account if you haven’t already.
    • Frequency: The app will not perform backups automatically; you must manually initiate it whenever you want to update your backup.
    Restoring from Backup:

    - If you need to restore your accounts from a backup, you can do so by signing in with the same Microsoft account used to create the backup. This will restore your account settings and authentication codes.
    

Steps to Enable Backup

Open Microsoft Authenticator: Launch the app on your Android device.

Access Settings:

• Tap on the three horizontal lines or the menu icon in the top-left corner.
  • Select Settings from the menu.
  Enable Backup:

  - Tap on **Backup**.
  
     - Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
  
        - Toggle the switch to enable cloud backup.
  
        **Confirm Backup**: Ensure the backup process completes. You may need to wait a few moments for the backup to be created and uploaded.
  

Additional Considerations

• Manual Process: Since backups are not automatic, it’s good practice to periodically check and update your backup to ensure it includes your latest accounts and settings.
• Device-Specific: Backup settings are tied to your Microsoft account, not your device, so you need to set up the backup on each device where you use the Authenticator app.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your account information is backed up and can be restored if needed. for more detail, you can checkout here.