back up issue

Question

i tried to import on a new phone the authenticator data, tho when i do the log in on the new one the data is not transfered, both devices are android, what can I do?

Answer 1

Hi ray leen

Backup in Microsoft Authenticator helps transfer your account list to a new device, but it does not fully restore your multi-factor authentication (MFA) settings. For security reasons, you'll need to manually reconfigure MFA for each account.

If you are using a work or school account:

Are you still have your old phone? If yes, here are steps to reconfigure MFA on a new phone: 

-Visit the My Sign-Ins | Security Info | Microsoft.com page to manage your verification methods   

-Sign in with your work account. 

-Select Add sign‑in method > Microsoft Authenticator. 

-Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone. 

-In the app, choose Work or school account, then scan the QR code shown on the Security Info page. 

-Approve the test notification sent to the new phone. 

-Once the new phone works, remove the old device from the Security Info page. 

If you no longer have access to your old phone and the Authenticator app isn’t set up on your new device, the best option is to contact your organization’s IT support team or administrator. They can reset your MFA settings and help you re‑register your account on the new phone. 

For reference, IT admins can follow the process outlined here: Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID |… 

If you are using a personal Microsoft account (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com) 

Please try to sign in Additional security options

If you cannot sign in, please can try one of the following options: 

• Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form: Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support 
• Alternatively, contact Microsoft Support: Go to Contact - Microsoft Support, > type "Support" and click Get Help > click Sign in to contact support at the bottom of the > page under Products & Services, select Microsoft 365 & Office > under Subcategory, select Support > choose Chat with a support agent in your browser 

I hope this information helps. 

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Answer 2

On Android, Microsoft Authenticator backup/restore works only if all backup conditions are met and the correct recovery flow is used. Check these points step by step:

1. Confirm backup is actually enabled on the old Android phone
   On the old device:
   1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
   2. Tap the menu icon (⋮ or ☰), then Settings.
   3. Under Backup, make sure Cloud Backup is turned On.
   4. Verify which Microsoft personal account is shown as the backup account. This same account must be used to restore.
2. Check what can be backed up
   Authenticator backs up:
   • Microsoft personal accounts (account name and/or OTP codes, depending on sign-in method).
   • Work or school accounts (account name only; sign-in required again after restore).
   • Third‑party OTP accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.).
3. Use the correct restore flow on the new Android phone
   On the new device (before signing into accounts inside Authenticator):
   1. Install Microsoft Authenticator.
   2. Open the app and look for Restore from backup or Begin recovery on the first screens.
   3. Select Restore from backup.
   4. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account that was used for backup on the old phone.
   5. The saved account credentials and app settings should be recovered to the new device.
   If you already signed into accounts in Authenticator on the new phone and do not see Restore from backup:
   • Sign out or remove all accounts from Authenticator on the new phone, then reopen the app and check again for Restore from backup / Begin recovery.
4. If you see “Something went wrong” when backing up
   On the device where backup fails:
   1. Open Authenticator → Settings.
   2. Under Backup, turn on Cloud Backup.
   3. When prompted, choose Continue or Change account and sign in to create the backup.
5. If the wrong backup account was used
   On the device that holds the backup:
   1. Open Authenticator → Settings.
   2. Under Backup, turn Cloud Backup off and confirm OK to delete the backup.
   3. Turn Cloud Backup on again and select Continue or Change account to sign in with the correct Microsoft personal account.
   4. Then repeat the restore steps on the new phone using that same account.
6. Platform limitation (for completeness)
   Backup/restore only works between the same device type. Android → Android is supported; Android → iOS or iOS → Android is not.

If, after confirming backup is enabled with the correct account and using Restore from backup, the accounts still do not appear, the remaining option is to re-add the accounts manually using their original QR codes or recovery procedures.

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References:

• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Back up account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator
• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator