Authenticator backup not working on new device

Follow these checks and steps to get the backup to appear on the new device.

1. Confirm backup type and platform

• Backup and restore only work on the same device type.
  • iOS → iOS only
  • Android → Android only
    If the old device is iOS and the new one is Android (or vice versa), the backup will not show up.

2. If using iOS (old and new device) On the old device (where accounts are visible):

1. Make sure iCloud is correctly configured:
   • Enable iCloud Drive on the device. Learn how.
   • Enable iCloud Keychain. Learn how.
   • Enable iCloud Backup. Learn how.
   • Go to your Saved to iCloud list and search for Authenticator. Learn how, then turn on the toggle for Authenticator.
2. Ensure Microsoft Authenticator is updated to version 6.8.33 or later.
3. Open the Authenticator app at least once after enabling backup so it can write the latest data to iCloud.

On the new iOS device:

1. Sign in with the same Apple ID/iCloud account used on the old device.
2. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store.
3. If Authenticator is already installed and no backup appears, uninstall and reinstall the app.
4. Open Authenticator and choose to restore from backup when prompted; the backup should now appear.

3. If using Android (old and new device) On the old Android device:

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Tap the menu (⋮ or ☰) → Settings.
3. Under Backup, turn on Cloud Backup.
4. Select the correct Microsoft personal account where the backup is stored and tap OK.

On the new Android device:

1. Install Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Sign in with the same Microsoft personal account used for backup.
3. Choose to restore from cloud backup when prompted.

4. What actually gets restored Even when backup works, not all data behaves the same:

• Microsoft personal accounts
  • If using only a 30‑second one-time password (OTP), the codes are available after restore.
  • If using passwordless sign-in, only the account name is backed up; sign-in must be completed again to re-enable passwordless.
• Work or school accounts
  • Only the account name is backed up; sign in again to fully reactivate them.
• 3rd party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.)
  • OTP codes are restored and usable once backup is restored.

If, after confirming same platform, iCloud/Cloud Backup settings, correct account, app version, and reinstalling Authenticator on the new device, the backup still does not appear, the backup was likely never successfully created and the accounts will need to be re-added manually using each service’s security/MFA setup.

References:

• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator