i need to reset my authenticator app for one of my email addresses

Resetting Microsoft Authenticator depends on whether access to the account and backup is available.

1. If Authenticator backup is available (same device type):
   • Authenticator backups can only be restored on the same device type (iOS→iOS or Android→Android).
   • Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new device.
   • On Android: open Authenticator and select Restore from backup or Begin recovery before signing in. If already signed in, sign out first, then start recovery. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used for backup so the saved credentials are restored.
   • On iOS: make sure iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup are enabled, then install Authenticator and sign in. The backed-up accounts will restore, and then sign in to each account to complete restore.
2. What will be restored:
   • Microsoft personal accounts:
     • If configured only with a one-time password code, the codes are available once restored.
     • If configured for passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again to re-enable passwordless.
   • Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored; sign-in is required again.
   • 3rd party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.): the 30‑second one-time password codes are restored.
3. If “Sign in to restore your account” or “Action required” appears:
   • On the Accounts screen in Authenticator, tap Sign in (or the account tile if it shows Action required).
   • Enter the account password and confirm email or phone as additional verification to complete recovery.
4. If backup cannot be used or cannot be accessed:
   • If the backup account (Microsoft account or iCloud account) cannot be accessed, support cannot restore Authenticator data.
   • In that case, re-add the account(s) to Authenticator manually using each service’s security/MFA setup page.
5. If locked out of a work/school account because of MFA:
   • A tenant/global admin must reset MFA by going to Microsoft Entra admin center → Identity > Users > All users → select the user → Authentication methods → Require re-register multifactor authentication. After that, sign in again and register Authenticator from scratch.
6. If locked out and the account is the only admin on the tenant:
   • Contact Microsoft support by phone and request the Data Protection team to help reset MFA for the tenant admin, following the guidance in the referenced Q&A posts.

References:

• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• I need to reset my mfa methods - Microsoft Q&A
• Reset Personal Azure MFA - 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
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A