Authenticator

Question

My old phone is broken, and i have my new phone. How can i log in at authenticator, without out my old phone?

Answer 1

Access to Microsoft Authenticator on a new phone without the old phone depends on what backup or alternative sign-in methods are set up.

1. If Authenticator backup was enabled (same device type only)

• Backups can only be restored on the same platform (iOS→iOS or Android→Android).
• On iOS, backup uses iCloud; on Android, backup uses a Microsoft account.
• On the new phone:
  • Install Microsoft Authenticator.
  • Open the app and choose Restore from backup or Begin recovery (Android) before signing in.
  • Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used for backup.
  • Accounts that support backup will be restored. For many accounts, only the account name is restored and sign-in must be completed again.

2. If backup is not visible on the new phone (iOS) If using iOS and the backup does not appear:

• On the old device (if it ever becomes usable again):
  1. Enable iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup.
  2. In Saved to iCloud, ensure Authenticator is turned on.
  3. Update Authenticator to version 6.8.33 or later.
  4. Open Authenticator at least once.
• On the new device:
  1. Uninstall and reinstall Authenticator.
  2. Open it again and the backup should appear for restore.

3. What is actually restored When restoring a backup:

• Microsoft personal accounts:
  • If using only one-time password (OTP) codes, the codes are available after restore.
  • If also using passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored; sign-in must be completed again.
• Work or school accounts:
  • Only the account name is restored; sign-in must be completed again.
• 3rd party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.):
  • OTP codes are restored.

4. If already restored but see “Sign in to restore your account”

• In Authenticator, on the Accounts screen, tap Sign in next to each account.
• Enter the password and complete additional verification (email/phone) as prompted.

5. If there is no backup and no alternative method

• For work or school accounts: contact the organization’s IT/admin and ask them to reset MFA or re-register Authenticator for the account.
• For personal Microsoft accounts: sign in at the account security page from a browser and use any available alternative method (SMS, email, etc.) to update security info and re-add Authenticator. If no alternative methods work, follow the account recovery flow from the sign-in page.

Once access to the account is regained via backup or alternative verification, Authenticator on the new phone can be set up again and used for future sign-ins.

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References:

• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator
• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication
• Authenticator locked and cannot access at all after replacing phone - Microsoft Q&A
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