Lost backup on Microsoft Authenticator

Question

Hi everyone, I have been using Microsoft Authenticator for a long time, and most of my 2FA codes from various platforms were backed up to it (cloud backup was turned on). A few days ago, I reset my phone. When I tried to use "Begin recovery" in Authenticator using my Microsoft account, it said no backup was found. That means I've lost access to my Facebook, GitHub, Roblox, and other accounts, and recovering them individually feels overwhelming. I tried contacting Microsoft Support about this, but they don't seem to offer direct help for Authenticator issues. I would really appreciate any help or advice. Thanks!

Answer 1

If Begin recovery says no backup was found, the practical checks are:

1. Confirm the backup was created on the same device type.
   • An iOS backup can only be restored to iOS.
   • An Android backup can only be restored to Android.
2. Make sure the correct recovery account is being used.
   • On Android, recovery requires signing in with the same personal Microsoft account that was used when the backup was created.
   • If Authenticator was already signed in before recovery, sign out or remove all accounts first, then choose Restore from backup or Begin recovery.
3. If this is iPhone/iPad, verify the Apple-side requirements on the old device backup path:
   • iCloud Drive enabled
   • iCloud Keychain enabled
   • iCloud Backup enabled
   • In Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud, Authenticator turned on
   • Authenticator updated to 6.8.33 or later
   • Opened the app at least once before switching phones
   • Then uninstall and reinstall Authenticator on the new device
4. Understand what restore brings back.
   • Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again.
   • Microsoft personal accounts with passwordless sign-in: only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again.
   • Third-party accounts such as Facebook or GitHub: one-time password codes are restored if the backup exists.
5. If recovery still shows no backup:
   • On Android, if access to the backup account is unavailable, support agents cannot restore it.
   • On iOS, if iCloud access is the problem, Apple Support is the path for iCloud access issues.
   • If no usable backup is available, the remaining option is to add the accounts again.

For the accounts already locked behind 2FA, the supported path is to recover each service individually and re-add it to Authenticator afterward. If the issue is with a work or school account, send logs from Authenticator using Send feedback and then contact the IT admin.

---

• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
• [iOS](https://support.microsoft.com/authenticator/restore-account-credentials-from-microsoft-authenticator#i-see-sign-in-to-restore-your-account-after-restoring-authenticator-accounts)
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs | Microsoft Support
• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• [Android](https://support.microsoft.com/authenticator/restore-account-credentials-from-microsoft-authenticator#unable-to-restore-authenticator-account-credentials)
• [Personal accounts](https://support.microsoft.com/authenticator/troubleshoot-problems-with-microsoft-authenticator)
• Back up account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator