A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Follow these steps to get codes working again after moving to a new iPhone with iCloud backup:
- On the old iPhone (if still available)
- Turn on iCloud Drive.
- Turn on iCloud Keychain.
- Turn on iCloud Backup.
- In iCloud settings, go to the Saved to iCloud list, search for Authenticator, and make sure the toggle for Authenticator is turned on.
- Update Microsoft Authenticator to version 6.8.33 or later.
- Open the Authenticator app at least once so it can update the backup.
- On the new iPhone
- Make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID and that iCloud Drive/Keychain/Backup are enabled.
- Uninstall Microsoft Authenticator.
- Reinstall Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store.
- Open Authenticator; the iCloud backup should now appear and restore your accounts.
- Understand what will restore automatically
- Microsoft personal accounts
- If they use only a 30‑second one-time password code, the codes will work again after restore.
- If they also use passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored; each account must be signed in again to re-activate notifications/codes.
- Work or school accounts
- Only the account name is restored; each account must be signed in again.
- 3rd party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.)
- The 30‑second one-time password codes will work again after restore.
- Microsoft personal accounts
- If codes or prompts still do not appear
- For work or school accounts, sign in again when prompted so Authenticator can re-register and start sending codes/approvals.
- If unable to restore from iCloud at all, re-add accounts manually using each site’s “set up authenticator app” or “two-step verification” setup.
If none of the above works and access to iCloud is the problem, contact Apple Support as indicated in the documentation. If the issue is with a work or school account and sign-in is still blocked, the organization’s help desk or admin may need to reset MFA for the account.
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