Microsoft authenticator

Question

When i went to open the authenticator all of my accounts and things I previously went through and saved is gone. How do i get it all back

Answer 1

If the accounts disappeared, recovery depends on whether backup was enabled before they were lost.

1. Check whether a backup exists.
   • On iPhone, Authenticator backup uses iCloud and requires iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup to be enabled, with Authenticator turned on in the Saved to iCloud list.
   • On Android, open Microsoft Authenticator > Settings and check whether Cloud Backup had been turned on with a Microsoft personal account.
2. Restore the backup correctly.
   • Open Authenticator on the replacement or reinstalled device.
   • On the welcome screen, select Restore from backup or Begin recovery before signing in normally.
   • Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used for the backup.
   • If Restore from backup does not appear, remove or sign out of all accounts in the app first, then try again.
3. If restored accounts show Sign in to restore your account or Action required:
   • In Accounts, tap Sign in for each affected account.
   • Enter the password and complete the extra verification step.
4. If the backup does not appear on a new iPhone:
   • On the old device, confirm iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, iCloud Backup, and the Authenticator iCloud toggle were enabled.
   • Make sure Authenticator was updated to version 6.8.33 or later.
   • Opened the app at least once before switching phones.
   • On the new device, uninstall and reinstall Authenticator, then try again.
5. What can actually be recovered:
   • Microsoft personal accounts using only one-time password codes: codes are restored.
   • Microsoft personal accounts using passwordless sign-in: only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again.
   • Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again.
   • Third-party accounts such as Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail: one-time password codes are restored.
6. If no backup was enabled before the accounts disappeared, they cannot be recovered from Authenticator. The accounts must be added again.
7. If access to the backup account is the problem:
   • If the backup account is a Microsoft account, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper.
   • If restoring on iPhone fails because the iCloud account cannot be accessed, contact Apple Support.

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