Lost my recovery code

Question

I authneticated my college website from Microsoft without signing in just scanned and qr by mistake i forgot to note the recovery code and app got uninstalled when my phone got formatted so now i can't find the authenticatoion code anywhere and also its not recovered how can i get back

Answer 1

Contact your college IT help desk and ask them to reset your MFA registration, because Authenticator credentials for work or school accounts cannot be recovered from a phone backup; the account must be registered again. ^1^

What to ask the college IT team

Send them this request:

My phone was formatted and Microsoft Authenticator was removed. I no longer have the recovery code or another sign-in method. Please require MFA re-registration for my college account so I can register Authenticator again.

Only the college’s administrator can change authentication settings for a school-managed account. ^2^

The administrator should:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center with at least the Authentication Administrator role.
2. Go to Entra ID → Users.
3. Select your account, then Authentication methods.
4. Select Require re-register MFA.
5. Have you sign in again and follow the prompts to scan a new QR code and register Authenticator. ^3^

Important: Requiring re-registration removes the existing Authenticator registration and other registered MFA methods, including phone numbers and software OATH tokens. The administrator should therefore provide or enable a usable sign-in method so you can complete the new registration.

If another sign-in option appears

On the college sign-in page, select Sign in another way. If SMS, phone call, or another method previously registered by you is offered, use it and then update your security information. If no alternative appears or it also requires the deleted app, proceed through college IT rather than repeatedly reinstalling Authenticator.

Restoring an Authenticator backup would restore only the college account’s name, not its work-or-school credential, so it would not eliminate the need to sign in and register that account again. ^1^

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References

1. Restore one-time password codes in Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
2. How can I sign in if I’m unable to get authentication code - Microsoft Q&A
3. Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication