Authenticator after Phone repair

When signing back into Microsoft Authenticator after repair, only limited information is restored automatically. What is restored depends on the account type and on whether a valid cloud backup exists.

1. For Microsoft personal accounts:
   • If the account only uses one-time password (OTP) codes, those codes are restored from backup.
   • If the account also uses passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored. After restore, sign-in is required again to fully re-enable it.
2. For work or school accounts:
   • Only the account name is restored. Each account must be signed in again to complete setup.
3. For third-party accounts (Amazon, Facebook, Gmail, etc.):
   • OTP codes are restored only if they were included in a valid cloud backup.

To restore from backup on Android after repair:

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Before signing in to any account, select Restore from backup (or Begin recovery).
3. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account that was used to create the backup.
4. The saved account credentials and OTP codes that are backed up will be recovered.

If Restore from backup or Begin recovery is not visible:

1. Remove or sign out of all accounts in Authenticator.
2. Reopen the app and then use Restore from backup.

If restore still fails or shows an error and the backup cannot be accessed, the accounts must be added again manually using each service’s MFA/2FA recovery process. For Microsoft accounts, use the Microsoft account sign-in helper if access to the backup account itself is the problem.

If unable to restore because the backup account cannot be accessed, support agents cannot recover Authenticator data; recovery must be done by regaining access to the Microsoft backup account or re-adding accounts.

References:

• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• How Do I Regain Access to My Account After Losing Access to Microsoft Authenticator? (Urgent Request). - Microsoft Q&A
• I have a Micrsoft business account and I am the admin and the only user registered under this account. I can't log in because i have replaced my phone and the authenticator doesn't work. - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot authenticate with E-mail when logging into Microsoft Authenticator(iOS). - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A