How to get codes on new phone

To get codes on a new phone, each account must be re‑set up to use Microsoft Authenticator. The QR codes come from the security pages of each account, not from the app itself.

Follow these steps for Microsoft accounts and work/school accounts:

1. Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone
   • On iOS, install from the Apple App Store.
   • On Android, install from Google Play.
   See: Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app.
2. For a personal Microsoft account (Outlook/Hotmail/Live):
   a. On a computer where sign-in still works, go to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security and sign in.
   b. Select Manage how I sign in.
   c. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
   d. Choose Use an app.
   e. If Authenticator is already installed, select Set up a different Authenticator app and then Next to show the QR code.
   f. On the phone, open Authenticator, tap the + icon, choose Personal account, then Scan a QR code, and scan the code shown on the computer.
   g. Complete any test approval the page asks for.
3. For a work or school Microsoft 365 account:
   a. On a computer, sign in to your work/school account and go to the Security info / Additional security verification page (for example via office.com → account manager → View account → Update info).
   b. Choose Add sign-in method (or similar) and select Authenticator app.
   c. The setup wizard will show a Scan the QR code page.
   d. In Authenticator on the phone, tap +, choose Work or school account, and scan the QR code.
   e. Approve the test notification to finish.
4. For Google and other non-Microsoft accounts:
   • For Google:
   – On a computer, go to the Google account security page and turn on two-step verification if it is not already on.
   – In Add more second steps to verify it's you, choose Set up from the Authenticator app.
   – On Get codes from Authenticator, select Android or iPhone and Next to show the QR code.
   – In Authenticator, tap Add account → Other account (Google, Facebook, etc.), then scan the QR code.
   • For other services (Amazon, Facebook, etc.), sign in on a computer, go to their security/2FA page, choose an authenticator app option, and use the QR code they show with Other account in Authenticator.
5. If stuck in a loop because Authenticator is the only method:
   • Use any alternative verification method configured (SMS, email, backup codes) to get into the account’s security page and add the new Authenticator app as above.
   • If there is no alternative method and it’s a work/school account, an administrator must reset MFA so setup can be done again on the new phone.

Once each account is re‑added using its QR code, the codes will appear in Authenticator on the new phone and sign-in loops should stop.

References:

• How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator
• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication
• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Download Microsoft Authenticator
• Set up Security info from a sign-in page
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Cannot authenticate with E-mail when logging into Microsoft Authenticator(iOS). - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - 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