Microsoft authenticator codes

Question

I lost my phone now when i try to add my school account to the new phone on my microsoft authenticator, it keeps on asking for the code that appears on the app of which i have no access to at the moment. So i wanna know if is it possible to recieve the codes via my whatsapp to make things easier for me?

---

Moderator's note: Moved from Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator

Answer 1

Dear @avelile mfenqa,

Please note that since your account is belonged to an organization (your university), none of moderators could help you with this while your account are belonged to an organization to do this action. Since you are an end-user, kindly follow these steps:

Please contact your IT Admin to revoke your MFA. Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn

In case you do not know who your IT Admin is, please refer to this article: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support

If they still could not do it, please ask them to follow the steps below.

Option 1: Raising a support

The IT Admin should create a service request with Microsoft support to get advanced technical assistance and diagnostics. For detailed instructions on how to get support, please refer to Get support - Microsoft 365 admin.     

Option 2: The IT Admin may need to contact the Data Protection Team at the service phone number via this link: Customer service phone numbers - Microsoft Support.

The main objective is to go through the IVR (automated system) until you reach a live agent and emphasize this very important security factor. Please help me try this script below, this is a commonly used script for authentication issues to bypass IVR, but you can try to see if it helps get through the system. Please help me to speak loudly, only keywords, clearly and patiently waiting for the machine's response. First, when you call the hotline, they will ask you what kind of problem you are facing with.

Answer: Authenticator.
A: What products do you use?
B: Office 365 for business.
Verification: Education or corporate account?
B: For companies
A: Are you an administrator?
B: Yes.
A: Are there other administrators in your organization?
B: No.
A: I need one.... Service request?
B: Yes

During the call, you must provide information related to the subscription, such as your company name, billing history, phone number, and alternate email address. This information helps data protection teams verify identities and securely regain access to administrator accounts.

Once you contact the Data Protection team, you will be required to provide proof of ownership of the company. This allows them to verify their identity and help reassign the Global Administrator account.

I hope the information shared helps point you in the right direction.

As a moderator, I do not have the tools to investigate your specific account directly, as this is a support forum between users. Moderators and collaborators, including external Microsoft employees, may not directly intervene in the functionality of Microsoft products or access internal systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported problems, requests, or ideas. However, I will do my best to guide you as clearly as possible.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

WhatsApp cannot be used to receive Microsoft verification or Authenticator codes.

Microsoft sends verification codes only to the security methods configured on the account, such as:

• SMS text message to a mobile phone number (not WhatsApp/VOIP)
• Phone call to a mobile or landline number
• Email address
• Microsoft Authenticator app or other supported authenticator apps

Since the original phone with Microsoft Authenticator is lost and the app is asking for a code from that device, the account’s MFA/security info must be reset or an alternate method must be used:

1. If this is a school (work or school/Entra ID) account:
   • Try other configured methods on the sign-in screen (SMS, call, email, or another authenticator method) if they appear.
   • If no method is accessible, contact the school/organization’s IT/help desk and ask them to clear or reset the MFA settings for the account. After they clear MFA, sign in again and re-register Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone.
2. If this is a personal Microsoft account tied to the school email:
   • If at sign-in it offers security info you no longer have, select I don't have any of these and follow the prompts to replace security info. Be aware this may trigger a waiting period before full access is restored.

Codes cannot be redirected to WhatsApp or any other messaging app that is not one of the supported security methods.

---

References:

• Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator