A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Follow these steps depending on what is still accessible:
- Try basic Authenticator fixes
- Make sure the device has internet access (switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data).
- Confirm the latest Microsoft Authenticator version is installed. Get the latest.
- Open Authenticator and ensure it is not locked.
- On the phone, check Settings → Notifications and confirm notifications are enabled for Authenticator.
- Verify the phone’s date and time are set correctly and that battery optimization is turned off for Authenticator.
- If using iPhone and relying on backup from old phone
On the old iPhone (if still available):
- Turn on iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup.
- In iCloud backup settings, ensure Authenticator is enabled in the “Saved to iCloud” list.
- Update Authenticator to version 6.8.33 or later and open the app once.
- Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Authenticator.
- Open it and check if the iCloud backup appears for restore.
- If sign‑in keeps asking for codes that cannot be provided
- Use any alternate verification method already configured on the account (SMS, alternate email, or another authenticator) instead of the app.
- If verification codes by email or SMS are not arriving, follow the guidance in “I’m not getting my Microsoft account verification code” to check junk mail, phone SMS blocking, VOIP numbers, and possible temporary blocks.
- If completely locked out and no alternate method works
- For a work or school (business) account: contact the organization’s Microsoft 365/Entra administrator and ask them to reset multifactor authentication for the account so Authenticator can be set up again.
- If this is a business tenant and the account is the only admin and cannot sign in at all, a Microsoft Data Protection support case is required, raised via Microsoft Support as described in the referenced Q&A answers.
- If still unable to receive any verification codes
- Use the Microsoft sign‑in helper tool to diagnose sign‑in issues and see available recovery options.
- If that does not resolve it, go to Contact Microsoft Support, describe the issue, and then choose Contact Support for further assistance. Support agents cannot send verification codes or change security info but can guide through supported recovery paths.
References:
- Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
- Authentication did not complete
- Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
- 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
- Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A