This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(19.2, 57.99999999999999%, 11%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EAA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello!
I cannot restore a backup of my MS Authenticator account.
I had to set my phone to factor settings. I had prepared MS Authenticator app backup up before. After rest, I downloaded MS Authenticator app again and tried to restore data. I encountered an error "Unable to recover ...". I tried uninstalling and installing app multiple times. Always the same problem.
Finally, I logged to my MS account normally and found no connected 2FA codes on it. How can I restore all my data? Can you restore any old backup (e.g. from April) to my account?
Best regards!
SCREW YOU Microshaft! I just got into major trouble because your fucking authenticator CR-APP does not recover my backup which I never deleted! NEVER AGAIN WILL I BE USING THIS APP!
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(89.60000000000001, 39%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EFD%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
same here. lost all my 2FA codes. recovered some but others are lost.
Hi @yso yso
Thank you for your effort but it did not work at all.
I have to reset all my 2FA accounts manually.
I highly do not recommend using MS Authenticator as the 2FA authentication app. The backup do not work properly.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(262.40000000000003, 68%, 35%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESG%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I’ve been having the same issues, there absolutely no support to restore the Authenticator app. Something son important with everyone’s access to personal data. No one to help. No proper documentation online.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(0, 91%, 10%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EJK%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I have had some issues with codes not syncing across multiple phones seamlessly. I had to "recover from backup" in the worst case. But atleast, my codes were all there and nothing was deleted. Google's Authenticator now supports syncing but I won't be surprised if it's messed up as well.
Authy is quite some people's choice and works well. And if nothing works, then Keepass/KeepassXC always has the option of setting up TOTP. It might not automatically sync online but atleast your data won't be corrupted by anything.
Thank you for asking this question on the **Microsoft Q&A Platform. **
You can restore from backup (assuming there was one) but make sure no accounts have been added to the newly installed 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.
Also, there is no way to have a history of backups, you just can restore the last version of it.
Hope this helps,
Carlos Solís Salazar
----------
Accept Answer and Upvote, if any of the above helped, this thread can help others in the community looking for remediation for similar issues.
NOTE: To answer you as quickly as possible, please mention me in your reply.
How did it go?
You can Accept Answer and Upvote, if the above response helped answer your query, others visiting the forum with the same query might get help.
NOTE: To answer you as quickly as possible, please mention me in your reply.
Hi Carlos
I have the same problem. App show the error
Your backup is not stored with <email>. ...
But I have stored backup. Tried removing re-adding but no luck
Are there any way to download the backup codes?
Err, you are saying that codes for the personal Microsoft account should NOT be in the Microsoft account from where the restore is being done? Isn't that counter intuitive? The app itself kind of pushes folks towards using it as the personal Microsoft account code generator/passwordless manager and users can add codes for other sites next. Now, you are saying that "personal Microsoft account should not be setup in the authenticator app".
I know this is old, but "Carlos Solís Salazar 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." Know you are quoting verbatim from MS, but this has not been my experience. I recovered from a personal account back to a new device and the Authentication accounts included this backup MS account. Nothing was overwritten...and I'm surprised at how this is even possible, since the backup-restore can only happen with an new install on a device that does not have the authentication app. There is nothing to overwrite...unless I'm missing something?
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(12.8, 32%, 11%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EMN%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I got a new iPhone and i', not able to do backup from Android at all. This is so ridiculous. I don't recommend using this app at all.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(252.8, 39%, 34%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EEC%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
hola. I have the same problem My phone was damaged and I bought a new one. when i went to restore my backup it didn't work and now i can't access my applications with code. I need help to restore my last copies to be able to access my work applications
I stopped using this crap and I also posted everywhere about it. 2FA is CRITICIAL for some people and some services. This Cr-App declares -and used to work- that it does backup 2FA codes. Which apparently it stopped doing.
So, it is best not to depend on this for any of your 2FA needs. Just find another one, or disable 2FA completely (which I now did) and resort to Yubikeys or SMS when available.
2FA apps are a disaster.