Transfer Authenticator to new phone

Lilly Dziagwa 0 Reputation points
2026-04-18T19:46:19.1933333+00:00

How do I get all my Microsoft authentication accounts from my old phone to my new phone. They are both iPhones.

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-04-18T19:46:32.16+00:00

    To move Microsoft Authenticator accounts from an old iPhone to a new iPhone, use iCloud backup and Authenticator’s own backup/restore.

    Important: Accounts backed up on iOS can only be restored to another iOS device.

    1. Prepare the old iPhone
      1. Make sure the old phone still works and Authenticator opens.
      2. Turn on iCloud services required for backup:
        • Enable iCloud Drive on the device. Learn how.
        • Enable iCloud Keychain. Learn how.
        • Enable iCloud Backup. Learn how.
        • In your Saved to iCloud list, search for Authenticator and turn on the toggle. Learn how.
      3. Open Microsoft Authenticator on the old iPhone.
      4. In Authenticator Settings, turn on iCloud backup so your account credentials are backed up to iCloud and a recovery account is created.
      5. Make sure Authenticator is updated to version 6.8.33 or later.
      6. Open the app at least once after enabling backup.
      7. Optionally, on the old iPhone run an iCloud backup now: Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
    2. Set up the new iPhone
      1. Set up the new iPhone and sign in with the same Apple ID/iCloud account used on the old phone.
      2. Ensure iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup are enabled on the new phone as well.
      3. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store if it isn’t already installed.
    3. Restore accounts in Microsoft Authenticator on the new iPhone
      1. Open Microsoft Authenticator on the new iPhone.
      2. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used as the recovery account (if prompted).
      3. Choose the option to Restore from backup.
      4. If the backup does not appear, uninstall and reinstall the Authenticator app on the new device, then open it again; the backup should now appear.
    4. After restore: what to expect
      • Microsoft personal accounts using only one-time password (OTP) codes: codes will work immediately after restore.
      • Microsoft personal accounts with passwordless sign-in: only the account name is restored; sign in again to re-enable passwordless.
      • Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored; sign in again on each to fully re-activate.
      • 3rd party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.): OTP codes are restored and should work.

    If the backup still does not show on the new iPhone after following these steps, repeat the iCloud Drive/Keychain/Backup checks on the old phone, open Authenticator once more, then try uninstalling/reinstalling Authenticator again on the new phone.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.