authenticator transfer

Question

How to transfer the accounts from Authenticator on an old iOS device to a new Android device

Answer 1

A direct backup-and-restore transfer from an old iOS device to a new Android device is not supported in Microsoft Authenticator. Backup and restore only works on the same device type, so an iPhone backup cannot be restored to Android.

Use this approach instead:

1. Keep the old iPhone available until sign-in works on the new Android phone.
2. Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new Android phone.
3. Re-add each account manually on the new phone.
   • For work or school accounts, sign in to the account’s Security info page and add Microsoft Authenticator again.
   • If the old phone still works, use it to approve sign-in while setting up the new phone.
4. For accounts that use passkeys, create a new passkey for the new phone before removing the old device.
   • Go to Security info at https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.
   • Select Add sign-in method and choose Passkey or Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator.
   • Complete setup and test sign-in on the new phone.
   • Remove old passkeys or devices only after the new one works.
5. After every account is working on Android, remove the old phone’s Authenticator entries if needed.

Important details:

• Work or school accounts are not fully restored by backup across devices; they must be signed in again to complete setup.
• If a passkey was saved only on the old phone, it must be added again on the new phone.
• If self-service passkey setup is blocked, contact the organization’s admin or help desk.

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• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Download Microsoft Authenticator
• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator