I accidently deleted my microsoft authenticator account and now I am unable to add it again

When the Microsoft Authenticator account entry is deleted from the app, it must be set up again using another verification method or by having an admin reset MFA. The exact steps depend on whether this is a personal Microsoft account or a work/school (Microsoft Entra ID) account.

1. If this is a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail, etc.)

• Try another sign-in method:
  • Go to the Microsoft account sign-in page and choose Use a different verification option (such as SMS, email code, or a different authenticator method) if available.
  • If another method works, sign in and then re-add Authenticator:
    1. Follow the steps in How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator to add the account again. Learn how.
• If no other method works and you are effectively locked out:
  • Use the Microsoft account Sign-in Helper tool to recover access as described in I can't sign in to my Microsoft account. Sign-in Helper tool.
  • If you still cannot restore Authenticator credentials because you cannot access the backup account, support agents cannot restore Authenticator for you; you must regain access to the backup Microsoft account first using the sign-in helper, then re-add Authenticator. See Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator and I can't sign in to my Microsoft account.

2. If this is a work or school account (Microsoft 365 / Entra ID)

• If you are an end user:
  • Contact the organization’s IT/admin and ask them to reset or require re-register MFA for your account in Microsoft Entra Admin Center. After they reset it, sign in again and you will be prompted to set up Authenticator from scratch.
• If you are an admin but not the only admin:
  • Ask another global admin to reset your MFA settings (Require re-register MFA) so you can configure Authenticator again.
• If you are the only global admin and are fully locked out (no other methods work):
  • The Microsoft Data Protection team must assist with resetting at least one admin account’s MFA. Open a support request by calling Microsoft support (Customer service phone numbers - Microsoft Support) and clearly state that you are the only admin locked out due to Authenticator/MFA. The Data Protection team will verify identity and can reset MFA so you can sign in and reconfigure Authenticator. This process is described in the referenced Q&A threads.

3. If Authenticator was previously backed up

• If using iOS and Authenticator backup was enabled:
  • Ensure iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup are enabled, reinstall Authenticator, and restore from backup as described in Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator.
  • After restore, some accounts (especially work/school and passwordless accounts) will still require signing in again; tap the account tile and complete the “Action required” sign-in to reactivate it.
• If restore is not possible (no backup or no access to backup account), the only option is to re-add the accounts using the original sign-in and MFA reset paths described above.

In summary, because the Authenticator entry was deleted and the sign-in now only prompts for Authenticator approval, access must be regained either by using an alternative verification method, having an admin reset MFA, or—if you are the only admin—working with Microsoft Data Protection via a support request. Once access is restored, re-add the account to Microsoft Authenticator following the documented setup steps.

References:

• How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator
• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• How Do I Regain Access to My Account After Losing Access to Microsoft Authenticator? (Urgent Request). - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to reset my mfa methods - 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
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A