Move Authenticator FROM Iphone TO Android

Peter McCrackan 16 Reputation points
2022-01-03T09:30:43.77+00:00

Hi, I have backed up my Auth App on my Iphone using the associated email address.
I have installed the Auth enticator app on the new Android device and press Begin Recovery. I enter the email address used on the Iphone Auth backup, I have to authenticate on the old Iphone device.
The Android device then starts the recovery process, but ends up failing with:

Unable to Recover. Your backup data is not stored with <Email address I entered> Try signing in with a different personal account.

I have toggled the backup Off on On again on the Iphone, verified the address used in the recovery account and also can see the backup data is there and dated today. Yet the Android device does not see any backup data.

Can an Android device access an Iphones Authenticator app backup?

Thanks for any assistance!

Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation.
5,538 questions

5 answers

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  1. Jason Duval 21 Reputation points
    2022-10-29T12:30:25.763+00:00

    I know this is not the answer you want, however if you switch between operating systems, iOS to Android or vise-versa, it is NOT possible to recover your backup in authenticator. The reason is because each OS uses a different storage platform for the backups and where to recover them from.

    This is NOT an issue from Microsoft, but rather an issue from the device manufacturers and how their integration was developed for the Authenticator application.

    Sorry to be the bearer of bad new, but you will have to resetup each code you had on the previous device.

    Jason

    4 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Richard Davey 6 Reputation points
    2022-04-02T23:23:33.663+00:00

    Right Question - I get the same.

    In reply to the two questions,

    • yes, I set up my old iPhone to back up to iCloud
    • yes, I still have my old iPhone

    Please give us an answer!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  3. Heidy Montes de Oca 6 Reputation points
    2022-08-17T19:45:13.66+00:00

    I'm having the same issue, can you please give us an answer? :(

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. risolis 8,701 Reputation points
    2022-01-03T14:25:34.18+00:00

    Hello Team

    Happy new year!

    Question.... I just wanted to clarify some points here before proceeding further to answer you.

    1- Did you use your Icloud account or cloud account to set it up your back up data on the old one?
    2-Do you still have your MS authenticator app on your Iphone or by any chance did you erase the authenticator app on the old phone?

    Cheers,

    0 comments
  5. Peter McCrackan 16 Reputation points
    2022-01-04T22:03:27.887+00:00

    Hi there. well it turned out the backup was on another account. I tried using the other account on the off chance and it restored fine on the android device.
    But on the Iphone it definitely said the backup was using the 'first' account.
    Wierd.. but the main thing is I got it!

    Thanks and seasons greetings!