How do I copy my Authenticator data to a new android phone

Question

How do I copy my Authenticator data to a new android phone? I want to use it on both devices.

Answer 1

Dear @Jeff Z,

I hope you’re having a good day.

Thank you for your question.

In general, if you are moving from one Android phone to another and still have access to the old device, Microsoft Authenticator supports backup and restore so that you can transfer your accounts to the new phone. Microsoft states that accounts can be backed up and restored on the same device platform (Android-to-Android).

For referent: Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support

However, there are some important differences depending on the account type:

If this is a personal Microsoft account

For personal Microsoft accounts, backup and restore can be used when moving to a new Android device. Once restored, you can verify that the account appears correctly on the new phone before deciding whether to keep or remove the old device. Microsoft documents support for backing up and restoring personal Microsoft accounts in Authenticator.

If this is a work or school account

For Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Entra ID accounts, Microsoft notes that only the account name is backed up. After restoring to the new phone, you typically need to sign in again or complete the organization's registration process for the account.

In some organizations, administrators may enforce policies that control how many devices can be registered or may require re-registration of Microsoft Authenticator when a new device is added.

Important recommendation

If you still have access to your current phone, I strongly recommend not removing Microsoft Authenticator or resetting the old device until you have confirmed that sign-in and MFA approvals work successfully on the new phone. Several Microsoft migration guides emphasize using the existing device during the setup and enrollment process for the new phone.

I hope this information helps point you in the right direction. If you run into any issues while trying the steps, or if something still doesn’t feel quite right, please don’t hesitate to reach out again. I’ll do my best to support you however I can.  

Looking forward to hearing back from you with any updates or additional details. 

Warm regards, 

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Answer 2

To use Microsoft Authenticator on a new Android phone (and effectively have it available on both devices), back up your accounts from the old phone to the cloud and then restore them on the new phone.

1. On the old Android phone:
   1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
   2. Tap the menu (⋮ or ☰), then tap Settings.
   3. Under Backup, turn on Cloud Backup.
   4. Select a Microsoft personal account where the backup will be stored, then tap OK.
2. On the new Android phone:
   1. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the Google Play Store. See Download Microsoft Authenticator if needed.
   2. Open Microsoft Authenticator and sign in with the same Microsoft personal account used for the backup.
   3. When prompted, restore the backup. This will bring over your one-time password accounts and backed-up account info.

Notes:

• Only one-time password (TOTP) data and certain account info are backed up. For some work/school and passwordless accounts, only the account name is restored and sign-in must be completed again.
• If the backup was saved to the wrong Microsoft account, delete that backup (turn off Cloud Backup in Settings and confirm), then turn it back on and choose the correct account.

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References:

• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Download Microsoft Authenticator