Logged out of Authenticator App

Question

Hi, I seem to have logged out of my Authenticator app when I switched phones. My old phone was wiped, and in order to add my microsoft account to my new phone I need authenticator, but obviously cannot access that. How do I get in?

Answer 1

Dear @Kadin Lough-Morelli

If your old phone has already been wiped or you no longer have access to it, the only way to restore your Microsoft Authenticator accounts is if Cloud Backup had already been enabled before the phone was reset. If no backup exists, the Authenticator app cannot recover the account or generate verification codes.

If the sign-in process is asking for a code from Microsoft Authenticator, you'll need to use another verification method (such as SMS, email,) if one is available.

If you don't have any alternative authentication method configured and this is a work or school account, you'll need to contact your organization's administrator. They can reset your MFA registration so you can register Microsoft Authenticator again on your new phone.

If this is a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, etc.) rather than a work or school account, you'll need to go through the Microsoft account recovery process to regain access. If you still need assistance, you can also contact Microsoft Support here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/support/

Could you confirm whether this is:

a work or school account managed by your organization, or

a personal Microsoft account?

That will determine the correct recovery steps.

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