Backing up Microsoft Authenticator changes

Question

I have the following message on my Microsoft Authenticator:

"Starting January 2027 you will no longer use you Microsoft personal account to enable backup. Ypu will need to enable "Microsoft Authenticator from Google One backup."

Can somebody tell me what this means please. I cannot find "Microsoft Authenticator" in Google One backup.

Answer 1

It means the current Android backup method in Microsoft Authenticator is changing.

Today, on Android, Authenticator backup uses a Microsoft personal account as the recovery account. The documented note says that starting January 2027, that will no longer be used to enable backup. Instead, backup will use Microsoft Authenticator from Google One backup.

What is supported by the documentation now:

• On Android today, backup is enabled in Microsoft Authenticator > Settings > Cloud Backup.
• Today, that backup is stored using a Microsoft personal account.
• If the backup was saved to the wrong account, the current documented fix is to delete the existing backup and create a new one.
• The note announces a future change for January 2027.

Why “Microsoft Authenticator” might not appear in Google One backup yet:

• The documentation only states that this change will happen starting in January 2027.
• It does not say that the Google One option is already available now.
• So not seeing Microsoft Authenticator in Google One backup at this time is consistent with the published note.

If backup is needed now on Android, use the current method:

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Open the menu and select Settings.
3. Turn on Cloud Backup.
4. Select a Microsoft personal account where the backup will be stored.
5. Tap OK.

If the wrong backup account was selected:

1. Open Authenticator and go to Settings.
2. Under Backup, turn off Cloud Backup and select OK to delete the backup.
3. Turn Cloud Backup on again.
4. Select Continue or Change account and sign in to the correct backup account.

---

• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Back up account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator