Authenticator App for Android can't restore from backup

Question

I had to replace my Samsung S25 Ultra phone with another phone because of moisture damage. I had my Microsoft account, plus DFAS, VA, X, and SSA. When my phone was replaced, the other apps were nor restored as before. I also tried to restore from backup which did not wok as well.

Answer 1

On Android, restore works only if Cloud Backup was enabled on the old phone, the restore uses the same Microsoft personal recovery account, and the new phone is also Android.

Try this path:

1. In Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone, look for Restore from backup or Begin recovery on the opening screen.
2. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account that was used to store the backup.
3. If the accounts appear with Sign in to add your account, open each account and sign in again. This is expected for work or school accounts after restore.
4. If an account shows Action required, tap the account, open its tile, choose the sign-in option to recover it, then enter the password and complete the extra verification by email or phone.

If Restore from backup is not available:

1. Verify the old phone had Cloud Backup turned on in Authenticator.
2. Verify the backup was saved to the correct Microsoft personal account.
3. Verify the restore is being done to the same device type. Android backups cannot be restored to iPhone, and iPhone backups cannot be restored to Android.
4. If Authenticator is already signed in, remove or sign out of all accounts first, then reopen the app and try Restore from backup again.

What can and cannot be restored:

• Microsoft personal accounts using only 30-second one-time password codes: the codes are restored.
• Microsoft personal accounts using passwordless sign-in: only the account name is restored, and sign-in is required again.
• Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored, and sign-in is required again.
• Third-party accounts such as Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail: one-time password codes are restored.

If restore still fails:

• If access to the backup account is the problem, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper.
• For any other restore failure, the supported fallback is to add the accounts again.

Also, if sign-in approvals are still going to the damaged or old phone, approve from that device if possible, or use another verification method such as SMS if available.

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• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Back up account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs