Authenticator Migration

Question

How do I delete my Microsoft Authenticator device so I can switch it to my new phone and Authenticator?

Answer 1

Dear @Dan Doggendorf

If you have a Microsoft Authenticator cloud backup, moving to a new phone is usually straightforward. Install Microsoft Authenticator on your new device, sign in with the same Microsoft account (or iCloud account on iOS) that you used for the backup, and restore your accounts.

If your old phone is still available, I'd recommend setting up Authenticator on the new phone first. Once you've confirmed you can sign in successfully, you can remove the old device.

If you don't have a backup, the process depends on the type of account you're using.

• For a personal Microsoft account, go to your Microsoft account Security settings, add your new Authenticator device, make sure you can sign in with it, and then remove the old one.
• For a work or school account, sign in to https://mysignins.microsoft.com, open Security info, and register your new Authenticator first. After you've verified that sign-in works as expected, you can remove the old Authenticator method. If the old phone was your only MFA method and you no longer have access to it, your organization's IT administrator will need to reset your MFA methods before you can register a new device.

Important: don't remove the old Authenticator until you've successfully signed in with the new one at least once. That way you'll know everything is working before you delete the old device.

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Answer 2

To switch Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone, add the new phone first, confirm it works, and then remove the old one. Do not remove the old phone until sign-in works on the new phone.

1. Keep the old phone available until the new phone is fully working.
2. On the new phone, install Microsoft Authenticator.
3. Sign in to your security info page and add the new Authenticator method:
   • Go to Security info.
   • Select Add sign-in method.
   • Choose Microsoft Authenticator.
   • Follow the prompts and scan the QR code with the new phone.
4. Test sign-in on the new phone.
5. After the new phone works, delete the old phone or old Authenticator method from Security info.

If the account was restored from backup and shows "Sign in to add your account.", that is expected for work or school accounts. Open the account in Authenticator and sign in again to complete setup.

If notifications are still going to the old phone, approve sign-in on the old device if possible, then remove the old device from the account’s security settings.

If the old phone is no longer available:

• Use another sign-in method such as SMS or phone call, if already configured.
• If no alternate method is available for a work or school account, contact the IT admin or help desk to reset or re-register MFA.

If moving between iPhone and Android, Authenticator backup cannot be restored across platforms. The new phone must be set up by adding the sign-in method again.

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References:

• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication
• Migrate to a new iPhone for work