How do I remove old accounts from my authenticator app?

Question

I have several old accounts in my authenticator app and I would like to remove them!

I've been attempting this for weeks off and on.

Please give me the steps to remove old accounts from my authenticator app!

Answer 1

Hello @David Klumb

As you have shared, you have several old accounts showing in Microsoft Authenticator and you've been trying to remove them for quite some time without success.

Before I suggest more specific guidance, could you please let me know:

• What device are you using, which operating system does it run, and what version is currently installed?
• When you tap the old account in Microsoft Authenticator, do you see a*"Remove account"* option?
• If a*"Remove account"* option is not available, does the app prompt you to sign in instead?

In the meantime, I found a related Microsoft Q&A discussion that includes guidance for Android devices, which may be helpful for reference.

How to remove an old account from authenticator app - Microsoft Q&A

To remove the account completely, you can try removing it from your device settings, clearing the app cache, removing it from the Authenticator app, and reviewing the account's security settings online if Microsoft Authenticator is still configured as a verification method.

1/ Remove the account from Microsoft Authenticator

You can remove the account entry directly from the Authenticator app.

• Open Microsoft Authenticator.
• Tap the"..." menu or the"Settings" icon.
• Select"Accounts".
• Tap and hold the account you want to remove.
• Select"Remove".
• Confirm the removal when prompted.

2/ Remove the account from Android Settings

You need to remove the account stored at the device level so it no longer syncs with Microsoft Authenticator.

• Open"Settings" on your device.
• Look for one of the following menus. The exact name may vary depending on your Android version:
  • "Passwords, passkeys & accounts"
  • "Accounts"
  • "Accounts and backup"
  • "Accounts & sync"
• Open the account list.
• Scroll down and locate the old Microsoft account or work/school account that you want to remove.
• Tap the account.
• Select "Remove account". If prompted, confirm the removal.

3/ Clear the Microsoft Authenticator cache

• Close Microsoft Authenticator.
• Press and hold the Microsoft Authenticator app icon.
• Select "App info".
• Open"Storage" or"Storage usage".
• Tap "Clear cache".
• Reopen Microsoft Authenticator and verify whether the account has been removed

-> It helps refresh the app and remove any residual account information.

If the issue still remains after trying all the steps above, please share a screenshot or provide more detailed information. I will check the situation and continue to support you. 

Kind regards, 

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Answer 2

Use one of these supported methods in Microsoft Authenticator.

1. Remove a single account in the app
   1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
   2. Select the old account.
   3. Tap the Settings gear.
   4. Tap Remove account.
   Important: after removing the account, that device can no longer be used to verify sign-in for that account.
2. Remove all old accounts at once If several old accounts are stuck, the easiest way to remove all accounts is to reset the app data. Android
   1. Open the device Settings app.
   2. Go to Apps.
   3. Select Authenticator.
   4. Select Storage or Storage & cache.
   5. Tap Clear data, then OK.
   iPhone / iPad
   1. Open the device Settings app.
   2. Select General > Storage.
   3. Select Authenticator.
   4. Tap Offload App.
   Important: there is no undo. All accounts are removed, and the device will no longer be able to verify sign-ins until accounts are added again.
3. If an account is gray, inactive, or will not remove normally
   • Gray and inactive accounts created by other apps for single sign-on can be safely ignored.
   • If notifications or account state are broken for only one account, remove that account and add it again.
4. If the old account is a work or school account and still will not go away Delete the sign-in method from the security info page:
   1. Go to https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.
   2. Delete the old Authenticator app sign-in method.
   If the account is configured for passwordless sign-in, set up another two-factor method first, such as phone or SMS, before deleting that passwordless Authenticator method.
5. If the problem is that too many Authenticator devices are registered An administrator can require MFA re-registration and then old sign-in methods can be deleted from the security info page. In some cases, a Global Administrator can delete Authenticator methods by using Microsoft Graph.

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