I've lost access to Microsoft authenticator app

Question

I've lost access to Microsoft authenticator app

javad jaberi 106

Hi
I've lost access to my Microsoft authenticator app after resetting my phone and now every sign in options (for microsoft 365 cloud pc) are related to the app.
I can't log in to my account for removing MFA and I'm the only user of that.
I've tried changing password but there isn't any change.
Please help me to sign back into the account.
Kind regards.

Danilo Cardoso 10 Reputation points

2023-03-12T21:09:54.4366667+00:00

I lost my phone, now there isn't any way to recover my account! It's a dead end!
Prakhyaat Rathee 35 Reputation points

2023-09-06T15:24:17.16+00:00

Sailing in the same boat. I used Microsoft developer's account. Lost my previous phone and had no access to it. Contacted Micosoft to help me out, the rep I spoke to advised that if you have not backed up your authenticator app, you will lose all of your information. On my second connect with Microsoft, he advised to send a feedback using Authenticator app on my new phone and someone will fix the issue in 24 hours. I sent the feedback explaining the issue. I am still waiting it is almost 5 days. I believe, he himself didn't know what he was suggesting.

Also, when I clicked forgot password, it sends a code to verify on the app itself. and if I say no access to the code, it still sends code to the app. The experience and mechanism is dumb.

My verdict: Microsoft does not know how to do it or the two staff members I spoke to were not up-to the standard. The UI needs some extra use case.
Karthikeyan M 10 Reputation points

2023-09-21T12:46:57.72+00:00

I am in the same situation. I raised a request on Tuesday and it's still not recovered. There is no update from Microsoft Data retention team. I bought a new MS 365 license and I am the only admin for now. I cannot login and hoping Microsoft can help in another week or so. pathetic service from them.
Suraj Ghimire 15 Reputation points

2024-01-07T06:59:45.0866667+00:00

I too lost access to the authenticator app. Although I managed to recover the authenticator for my primary Hotmail account, I couldn't recover my onmicrosoft account. Sad to see Microsoft not understanding the situation and making it so frustrating.
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-28T07:36:39.3466667+00:00

Same problem. I discovered I was able to access my account through: www.myaccount.microsoft.com Then Security Info button, Update info. I added an alternate email address for verification. It sent a verification code to this email. I then deleted my old phone that it was sending Authenticator App verification to. I actually deleted all Authenticator App options on my account. I then went to login to my email through settings > Mail > add email (because I had deleted it). It went through the usual process, wanting me to put in a code from Authenticator. This time when I chose Use Alternate Method, it only had my phone number as an option. I clicked it and it sent me a code to my new phone to put in. I now have full access to my email and administrative accounts. I will never add Authenticator to my two-step verification process again.
Deleted

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This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-31T15:04:14.8466667+00:00

On the main page when you first sign in.
CS Intellect Co., Ltd 30 Reputation points

2024-03-15T08:14:56.5566667+00:00

I am facing the same issue. Microsoft got such a stupid mechanism for resetting authentication.

Now i lost the APP and didn't have any backup. Now i am facing an issue and can't login in to my azure or 365 account to solve the issue. Sign in another way is useless who only can manage their account standby. I am waiting for call center almost an month and they called 4 times and call cut within 20sec and not call back or reply in email. Such a headache. Even i am paying Azure and i have hosted my application there. Now i can't login and fix my app issue. Extremely poor way to handle it.
Mohammad Yt 0 Reputation points

2024-04-26T10:42:54.5033333+00:00

Hi I've lost access to my Microsoft authenticator app after resetting my phone and now every sign in options (for microsoft 365 cloud pc) are related to the app. I can't log in to my account for removing MFA and I'm the only user of that. I've tried changing password but there isn't any change. Please help me to sign back into the account.
robert calver 0 Reputation points

2024-06-02T22:02:24.7766667+00:00

I am having no end of problems with two stage authentication I have no cloud backup and cannot login to my email as the authorisation does not recognise my email address. Customer service is non existent from Microsoft as well
Agraj Varshney 0 Reputation points

2024-06-26T15:10:53.4666667+00:00

I'm a student and now I lost access to Microsoft authenticator app and now I can't change my account password and all of colleagues know it
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
FNU LNU 0 Reputation points

2024-10-18T09:26:35.3933333+00:00

i also have same problem pls help me.
Rjake 0 Reputation points

2024-10-30T00:23:31.4066667+00:00

Facing same issue. Its funny how giant companies cant keep their security to top notch and then introduce these silly mandatory things like two factor authenticator and make the life of their customers and users a difficult and complex one. They are too scared of losing their customers data that they invented something that would prevent their own customers from assesing their own data. I really dont understand what is worse, someone hacking into your account or you losing access to all the precious and valuable data in fear of someone else might hack it. It like a loop, like a paradox, something like you hid the treasure somewhere in the sea, and even you dont know where you hid the treasure. In my case i know my passwords, i know my account and i am me, but i cannot prove this dumb machine that i am the one who is trying to access my own data, my own account. Maybe this is the step 2 of machines taking over human...... Dissapointed, really really disappointed
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Steven Russell 0 Reputation points

2025-01-20T10:46:18.5666667+00:00

I can't find my Authenticator key I've looked everywhere

5 answers

Your answer

Danilo Cardoso 10 Reputation points

2023-03-12T21:09:54.4366667+00:00

I lost my phone, now there isn't any way to recover my account! It's a dead end!
Prakhyaat Rathee 35 Reputation points

2023-09-06T15:24:17.16+00:00

Sailing in the same boat. I used Microsoft developer's account. Lost my previous phone and had no access to it. Contacted Micosoft to help me out, the rep I spoke to advised that if you have not backed up your authenticator app, you will lose all of your information. On my second connect with Microsoft, he advised to send a feedback using Authenticator app on my new phone and someone will fix the issue in 24 hours. I sent the feedback explaining the issue. I am still waiting it is almost 5 days. I believe, he himself didn't know what he was suggesting.

Also, when I clicked forgot password, it sends a code to verify on the app itself. and if I say no access to the code, it still sends code to the app. The experience and mechanism is dumb.

My verdict: Microsoft does not know how to do it or the two staff members I spoke to were not up-to the standard. The UI needs some extra use case.
Karthikeyan M 10 Reputation points

2023-09-21T12:46:57.72+00:00

I am in the same situation. I raised a request on Tuesday and it's still not recovered. There is no update from Microsoft Data retention team. I bought a new MS 365 license and I am the only admin for now. I cannot login and hoping Microsoft can help in another week or so. pathetic service from them.
Suraj Ghimire 15 Reputation points

2024-01-07T06:59:45.0866667+00:00

I too lost access to the authenticator app. Although I managed to recover the authenticator for my primary Hotmail account, I couldn't recover my onmicrosoft account. Sad to see Microsoft not understanding the situation and making it so frustrating.
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-28T07:36:39.3466667+00:00

Same problem. I discovered I was able to access my account through: www.myaccount.microsoft.com Then Security Info button, Update info. I added an alternate email address for verification. It sent a verification code to this email. I then deleted my old phone that it was sending Authenticator App verification to. I actually deleted all Authenticator App options on my account. I then went to login to my email through settings > Mail > add email (because I had deleted it). It went through the usual process, wanting me to put in a code from Authenticator. This time when I chose Use Alternate Method, it only had my phone number as an option. I clicked it and it sent me a code to my new phone to put in. I now have full access to my email and administrative accounts. I will never add Authenticator to my two-step verification process again.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-31T15:04:14.8466667+00:00

On the main page when you first sign in.
CS Intellect Co., Ltd 30 Reputation points

2024-03-15T08:14:56.5566667+00:00

I am facing the same issue. Microsoft got such a stupid mechanism for resetting authentication.

Now i lost the APP and didn't have any backup. Now i am facing an issue and can't login in to my azure or 365 account to solve the issue. Sign in another way is useless who only can manage their account standby. I am waiting for call center almost an month and they called 4 times and call cut within 20sec and not call back or reply in email. Such a headache. Even i am paying Azure and i have hosted my application there. Now i can't login and fix my app issue. Extremely poor way to handle it.
Mohammad Yt 0 Reputation points

2024-04-26T10:42:54.5033333+00:00

Hi I've lost access to my Microsoft authenticator app after resetting my phone and now every sign in options (for microsoft 365 cloud pc) are related to the app. I can't log in to my account for removing MFA and I'm the only user of that. I've tried changing password but there isn't any change. Please help me to sign back into the account.
robert calver 0 Reputation points

2024-06-02T22:02:24.7766667+00:00

I am having no end of problems with two stage authentication I have no cloud backup and cannot login to my email as the authorisation does not recognise my email address. Customer service is non existent from Microsoft as well
Agraj Varshney 0 Reputation points

2024-06-26T15:10:53.4666667+00:00

I'm a student and now I lost access to Microsoft authenticator app and now I can't change my account password and all of colleagues know it
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
FNU LNU 0 Reputation points

2024-10-18T09:26:35.3933333+00:00

i also have same problem pls help me.
Rjake 0 Reputation points

2024-10-30T00:23:31.4066667+00:00

Facing same issue. Its funny how giant companies cant keep their security to top notch and then introduce these silly mandatory things like two factor authenticator and make the life of their customers and users a difficult and complex one. They are too scared of losing their customers data that they invented something that would prevent their own customers from assesing their own data. I really dont understand what is worse, someone hacking into your account or you losing access to all the precious and valuable data in fear of someone else might hack it. It like a loop, like a paradox, something like you hid the treasure somewhere in the sea, and even you dont know where you hid the treasure. In my case i know my passwords, i know my account and i am me, but i cannot prove this dumb machine that i am the one who is trying to access my own data, my own account. Maybe this is the step 2 of machines taking over human...... Dissapointed, really really disappointed
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Steven Russell 0 Reputation points

2025-01-20T10:46:18.5666667+00:00

I can't find my Authenticator key I've looked everywhere

Answer 1

Anonymous

You can also try to sign in to your account but select the Sign in another way link on the Two-factor verification page. (note: If you don't see the Sign in another way link, it means that you haven't set up any other verification methods.)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/common-problems-with-two-step-verification-for-a-work-or-school-account-63acbb9b-16a1-47b9-8619-6a865e8071a5

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

javad jaberi 106 Reputation points

2022-03-22T21:32:04.827+00:00

Looks like I can't do it.
I only had the app for MFA I've set my E-mail but it doesn't ask to send code to E-mail for MFA(it only has code for app and notification for app).
Even after changing password it still needs the app to pass MFA.
Anonymous

2022-03-22T21:34:30.313+00:00

Sounds like your only hope is Sign in another way
javad jaberi 106 Reputation points

2022-03-22T21:43:15.997+00:00

Nope ,it still send code or notifications to app in that section and I don't have The App.
Larry B 6 Reputation points

2022-11-04T11:39:51.043+00:00

you can use an Temporary Access Pass that and azure admin generated for you.

Temporary Access Pass are MFA and allow you to connect and set up Authenticator withou extra security prompts

see howto-authentication-temporary-access-pass
elizabeth wamuo 0 Reputation points

2023-05-14T19:45:26.96+00:00

Elizabeth, I lost my authenticator app on my accounts how do restore my account please I need help
Canadian Sunrise 0 Reputation points

2025-04-06T02:47:38.8833333+00:00

I have other options to sign in. I keep getting taken back to enter verification code which isn’t coming up.

Answer 2

Larry B 6

For Work or School Account:

you can use an Temporary Access Pass that your azure admin generates for your account

Temporary Access Pass is considered MFA and allow you to connect and set up Authenticator without extra security prompts

see howto-authentication-temporary-access-pass

Answer 3

Anonymous

You can restore from backup (assuming there was one) but make sure no accounts have been added to the newly install app. Then sign on with recovery account to do the restore.

You can recover your account credentials from your cloud account, but you must first make sure that the account you're recovering doesn't exist in the Microsoft Authenticator app. For example, if you're recovering your personal Microsoft account, you must make sure you don't have a personal Microsoft account already set up in the authenticator app. This check is important so we can be sure we're not overwriting or erasing an existing account by mistake.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/back-up-and-recover-account-credentials-in-the-authenticator-app-bb939936-7a8d-4e88-bc43-49bc1a700a40

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

javad jaberi 106 Reputation points

2022-03-20T06:01:54.017+00:00

I don't have any backups I just used the app for around 5 minutes.
There isn't anyway to recover account without authenticator app?
I set MFA because of Microsoft's insists and they have no support for lost apps.
MarkPrimo 50 Reputation points

2024-07-31T20:23:21.1433333+00:00

I use a business account and the backup requires a personal account. Also the backup is turned off by default and does not alert you to this. You don't find out until you lost everything. Microsoft has hacked all of us! Just as bad as Ransomware except there is no Ransom offered. We are all just screwed!

Answer 4

Anonymous

If there are no backups to recover from then the only solution is to use the service provider's methods of account recovery.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Anonymous

2022-03-21T12:45:08.373+00:00

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
javad jaberi 106 Reputation points

2022-03-21T16:59:52.03+00:00

Unfortunately there isn't any progress.
there isn't anyway to recover or reset MFA without Authenticator app access.
every login ways are related to the app (notification or code).
Anonymous

2022-03-21T17:55:01.513+00:00

Since there are no backups to recover from then the only solution is to use the service provider's methods of account recovery.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
javad jaberi 106 Reputation points

2022-03-22T21:10:03.077+00:00

I couldn't find any recovery ways which don't need Authenticator app.
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-28T07:37:10.8+00:00

Same problem. I discovered I was able to access my account through: www.myaccount.microsoft.com Then Security Info button, Update info. I added an alternate email address for verification. It sent a verification code to this email. I then deleted my old phone that it was sending Authenticator App verification to. I actually deleted all Authenticator App options on my account. I then went to login to my email through settings > Mail > add email (because I had deleted it). It went through the usual process, wanting me to put in a code from Authenticator. This time when I chose Use Alternate Method, it only had my phone number as an option. I clicked it and it sent me a code to my new phone to put in. I now have full access to my email and administrative accounts. I will never add Authenticator to my two-step verification process again.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Till Niewöhner 0 Reputation points

2024-01-31T14:47:46.3366667+00:00

Where did you found the Security Info Button?
LOUIS CRANS 10 Reputation points

2024-01-31T15:03:09.99+00:00

On the main page when you first sign in.

Answer 5

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I've lost access to Microsoft authenticator app

5 answers

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