How to remove Authenticator from account?

To remove Microsoft Authenticator (or any verification method) from a Microsoft account when the old phone is no longer available, remove that sign-in verification method from the account’s security settings.

For a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail, etc.):

1. Sign in to the Advanced security options page of the Microsoft account (from a browser).
2. Make sure at least one other security method is available on the account (for example, SMS, alternate email, or a new Authenticator registration). If not, add a new method first.
3. In Advanced security options, locate the verification method associated with the old Authenticator app (for example, “Authenticator app” or the old device).
4. Expand that verification option and select Remove.
5. Select Remove again to confirm.

Important notes:

• Old security info does not need to be removed unless there is a security risk (for example, someone else has access to that phone or mailbox).
• If all security information is removed, the account goes into a restricted state for 30 days. During this period, security and billing settings cannot be changed, but email, Skype, OneDrive, and devices can still be used.

For a work or school (Entra ID / Microsoft 365) account:

1. Go to https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo in a browser and sign in.
2. In Security info, delete the Authenticator app sign-in method that corresponds to the old phone.
3. If unable to sign in because Authenticator is the only method, an administrator must reset MFA or require re-registration:
   • An admin goes to Microsoft Entra ID in the Azure portal → Users → select the user → Authentication methods → Require re-register multifactor authentication.
   • After this, sign-in will prompt to set up Authenticator again on a new device.

If the Authenticator app was configured as a passwordless sign-in method and deleting it is blocked, set up another two-factor method (such as SMS or phone call) first, then use that method to sign in and delete the passwordless Authenticator registration.

References:

• Removing a sign-in verification method
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Can't set up MFA because five devices are already registered to use an authenticator app
• Troubleshoot signing in with a passkey
• I cant log in to my business account because it is requiring Authenticator app which I do not have - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft Authenticator app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
• Having problems getting text codes to confirm my account - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A