Export credentials from Microsoft authenticator doesn't work

Question

Export credentials from Microsoft authenticator doesn't work

Rob Nicholson 66

Jul 28, 2022, 9:23 PM

Pretty much reliant on 2FA and the credentials stored in Microsoft Authenticator on my Android mobile. It's backing up into the cloud and I know you can recover that way but I'd like a belt-n-braces backup on my own non-cloud storage. So I tried to use the export credentials feature in the app but it doesn't work. I go through the multi-word verification screen which generates a series of words like this:

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This works fine and I can verify but when I to export, I get this screen saying "0 credentials backed up". When I hit save and try to save to (say) the "Documents" folder on my phone, it comes up with "Unexpected error" and a zero byte file.

This is the screen I get before the "Unexpected error" message:

n3vers4yn3ver 21 Reputation points

Aug 2, 2022, 1:44 AM

Same issue here, can Microsoft support or anyone please answer to this question ?

So do you expect user cannot find any better way to recover their authenticator credentials ? if user lost their phone or trying to install new authenticator on other device?

Please take this serious and raise this issue to the team who are suppose to fix this issue, at least answer please.
n3vers4yn3ver 21 Reputation points

Aug 2, 2022, 1:44 AM

Same issue here, can Microsoft support or anyone please answer to this question ?

So do you expect user cannot find any better way to recover their authenticator credentials ? if user lost their phone or trying to install new authenticator on other device?

Please take this serious and raise this issue to the team who are suppose to fix this issue, at least answer please.
Ryan 6 Reputation points

Aug 3, 2022, 6:46 PM

I am having the exact same problem trying to export my credentials.
Jimmy Yu 6 Reputation points

Aug 14, 2022, 9:36 AM

Same issue here, please fix it or provide a solution to backup credentials.
labear 1 Reputation point

Aug 26, 2022, 2:40 AM

Yep same problem here. And I'm trying to migrate to a new phone.
I was successful in exporting to mscloud and importing from mscloud yesterday but unfortunately had to reformat my new phone. Tried it again today and now I cannot export to mscloud nor restore from mscloud acct. I though export a file to my Google drive or internal storage, but the result is 0 bytes.
FYI - the versions of this app are 1 update apart (mist current is on my new phone). But these versions where same yesterday when it worked.
What's up w/ this app?
How daHell r we supposed to migrate to next phone?

Thx
labear 1 Reputation point

Aug 27, 2022, 1:40 AM

I found it.
The Android Auth app apparently was updated since there online instructions were created.
Two things occurred;
1- after first loading the app and accepting to share diagnostic information with Microsoft, the next screen according to the instructions should have a recovery button towards the bottom of the screen. Instead the newer app has a function called restore from backup which is located towards the very bottom of the screen and cannot be seen unless you scroll down to it. This function which functions as the recovery function will retrieve the cloud backup made on the Microsoft server, using Microsoft login.
2- the use of import and export is not required for migrating to a another device. Instead making sure the old device has been set up to back up to cloud. Even if it has been set up to back up to cloud, it seems it's best to cancel the old choice close the app then reopen the app and select the backup to cloud choice again. Cloud meaning your personal Microsoft account login. Upon restoring from backup on the new device, you will be required to enter your same Microsoft login. And of course they'll be a verification which is required. I'd suggest using email for the verification since having to navigate to the authorization app could be difficult while performing these tasks.
Enjoy!
Guy Kanon 1 Reputation point

Nov 11, 2022, 2:41 PM

If u switched your sim card to new phone, try switching it back to old phone for ID export and recovery phrases

turning off wifi or setting DNS to auto might work as well

1 answer

Your answer

n3vers4yn3ver 21 Reputation points

Aug 2, 2022, 1:44 AM

Same issue here, can Microsoft support or anyone please answer to this question ?

So do you expect user cannot find any better way to recover their authenticator credentials ? if user lost their phone or trying to install new authenticator on other device?

Please take this serious and raise this issue to the team who are suppose to fix this issue, at least answer please.
Ryan 6 Reputation points

Aug 3, 2022, 6:46 PM

I am having the exact same problem trying to export my credentials.
Jimmy Yu 6 Reputation points

Aug 14, 2022, 9:36 AM

Same issue here, please fix it or provide a solution to backup credentials.
labear 1 Reputation point

Aug 26, 2022, 2:40 AM

Yep same problem here. And I'm trying to migrate to a new phone.
I was successful in exporting to mscloud and importing from mscloud yesterday but unfortunately had to reformat my new phone. Tried it again today and now I cannot export to mscloud nor restore from mscloud acct. I though export a file to my Google drive or internal storage, but the result is 0 bytes.
FYI - the versions of this app are 1 update apart (mist current is on my new phone). But these versions where same yesterday when it worked.
What's up w/ this app?
How daHell r we supposed to migrate to next phone?

Thx
labear 1 Reputation point

Aug 27, 2022, 1:40 AM

I found it.
The Android Auth app apparently was updated since there online instructions were created.
Two things occurred;
1- after first loading the app and accepting to share diagnostic information with Microsoft, the next screen according to the instructions should have a recovery button towards the bottom of the screen. Instead the newer app has a function called restore from backup which is located towards the very bottom of the screen and cannot be seen unless you scroll down to it. This function which functions as the recovery function will retrieve the cloud backup made on the Microsoft server, using Microsoft login.
2- the use of import and export is not required for migrating to a another device. Instead making sure the old device has been set up to back up to cloud. Even if it has been set up to back up to cloud, it seems it's best to cancel the old choice close the app then reopen the app and select the backup to cloud choice again. Cloud meaning your personal Microsoft account login. Upon restoring from backup on the new device, you will be required to enter your same Microsoft login. And of course they'll be a verification which is required. I'd suggest using email for the verification since having to navigate to the authorization app could be difficult while performing these tasks.
Enjoy!
Guy Kanon 1 Reputation point

Nov 11, 2022, 2:41 PM

If u switched your sim card to new phone, try switching it back to old phone for ID export and recovery phrases

turning off wifi or setting DNS to auto might work as well

Answer 1

Guy Kanon 1

Nov 11, 2022, 2:41 PM

If u switched your sim card to new phone, try switching it back to old phone for ID export and recovery phrases

turning off wifi or setting DNS to auto might work as well

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Export credentials from Microsoft authenticator doesn't work

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