Microsoft Authenticator is asking me to authenticate using Microsoft Authenticator to use Microsoft Authenticator

I am upset because it used to work and now doesn't. I've been using Micrrosoft products since 1984, so "confusion" is not the issue. Okay, I'll abstain from the language with one possible exception: Whomever coded the updates for that app is a complete idiot. I know; I'm a coder.

I'll review your cordial and informative reply when I'm not still so ★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ticked off, and see if it can actually provide me with some help. I used to really like Microsoft products, but now I'm beginning to loathe them, and take great offense at being forced to use them (many requiring the app don't offer users an alternative authentication app). Security that's so tight that you can't use it is a bloody BRICK.

The moderator didn't delete your post because I didn't actually even see it until now, since I don't work for Microsoft (none of the Volunteer Moderators here do, we're all just volunteer users of Microsoft products just like you). In fact, no one deleted your post, the forum management just temporarily hid the post while they edited it for abusive language or other forum terms of use or code of conduct violations, that they actually could have deleted the posts for, but instead are trying to give you a chance to redeem yourself, so take the offer or don't but stop the abusive language if you truly wish to receive help.

Yes, the Microsoft Authenticator app can be confusing and difficult for some users, though it's worked very dependably for me for several years and that included when I replaced my phone a couple years ago, which is when it's most likely to break for some who don't understand they must ensure there's a working backup of the Authenticator's passwords, TOTP (Time-based One Time Password key codes and other data stored in the app to be restored to the new phone for any existing Microsoft or 3rd-party accounts to continue to work.

Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Support

You don't need to have two copies of the Authenticator app operating, though that's possible by using the backup to restore to a second phone, but not really useful long term since the TOTP codes including primary Microsoft account code aren't automatically kept synced if they change for some reason, like the username and password portions of the data are. So, keeping 2 phones working would be more trouble than it's worth, though using this method to backup form an old phone and restore to a new one to ensure it's working properly before getting rid of the old one is a good idea.

From your description, it sounds like you accepted the option to use your Gmail.com Google account name as the name of your Microsoft account, which I purposefully avoided for several reasons, including the fact that it's confusing as you've discovered, since to keep the passwords synced between the accounts to make them easy to use, you must change both the Google and Microsoft account passwords together as well.

Instead, I chose to keep my Google Android phone's Gmail account entirely separate (i.e. the usernames are different, username1 at Gmail, username2 at Outlook.com) and use that as one of my alternate Microsoft account verification methods (and vice versa) if ether I forget my Microsoft password or some other verification method were to fail.

I suggest that you try either chatting with Microsoft support directly per the following or use the Microsoft Q&A Forums to request help, since I though I've used the app for years, I've had no direct experience with the types of problems you seem to be having, so I'd personally be guessing what's truly wrong in your specific case.

Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Q&A

Rob

**** this ****. **** moderator deleted my post. **** HIM, and **** Misrosoft. Henceforth, anyone requiring Microsoft Authenticator can jsut go **** himself. I will not be a party to this rank stupidity and incompetence.

This is COMPLETE gibberish. I can't USE another method; the MORON that wrote the code for this app requires two instantiations of this app to be running at the same time, which, as far as I know, is technically IMPOSSIBLE. Every damned time I try to use a different method, it slams me right back into the stupid-butted circular logic bullcrap. I supply a PIN or password that I friggin' KNOW is good, the app calls bull-puckey. I am locked out of whatever requires Microsoft Authenticator to authenticate. What the Hell GOOD is an authentication app THAT CANNOT AUTHENTICATE?

When I try to use my Google account to access it, it requires me to RESET my Google account password. WHY, damnit? How do I know that this INCOMPETENT IDIOT is not going to then lock me out of my GOOGLE account with his total incompetence? This is RIDICULOUS. How the bloody damned HELL am I supposed to be able to actually use this app? I'm assuming that this moron has a college degree...a degree in what? Idiocy? He has compromised hundreds of thousands of accounts with this...what's another word for incompetence? I'm getting tired of using the same word repeatedly. Malfeasant and misfeasant cretin.

You list everything that is wrong but don’t give solution

Garnet Harrison,

If you don't have at least one alternate authentication item, or two if you'd enabled Two-Step verification on your Microsoft account, then there simply is no solution, the account is lost, assuming you're using a Personal account. You can try the Microsoft Account Recovery form if Two-Step verification wasn't enabled, but unless you have at least some of the items that requires, it's unlikely you'll regain control and only creating a new account is really a viable path.

Those using a Microsoft Work or School account should contact their IT support group or admin. If you are a tiny business using Azure where you are your own administrator, then you should try alternative methods to contact Microsoft Support directly, since as a business you may have other ways to identify yourself and regain access to your paid account that consumers don't.

Rob