Microsoft 365 features that help users manage their subscriptions, account settings, and billing information.
Because the old phone is destroyed, the options depend on whether there is a backup and whether there is still another way to sign in.
- If using iPhone and had iCloud backup for Authenticator
- On the old device (for future reference): iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup must be enabled, Authenticator must be updated to version 6.8.33 or later, and the app opened at least once so the backup is created.
- On the new iPhone:
- Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store.
- Make sure iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup are enabled on the new device.
- Open Authenticator, sign in with the same Apple ID/iCloud account, and restore from backup. The backup should appear after reinstalling.
- If Authenticator backup cannot be restored
- For Microsoft personal, work, or school accounts:
- Only the account name is restored for passwordless and work/school accounts; sign-in must be completed again on each account.
- If there is still access to the account via another method (SMS, email, or a logged‑in browser session), sign in and reconfigure Authenticator:
- Turn off or reset existing MFA/Authenticator registration.
- Add the new phone as a new Microsoft Authenticator method.
- If there is no other way to sign in (no SMS, no email, no other admin, and no logged‑in session), the account owner must work with Microsoft support/Data Protection to reset MFA:
- For a Microsoft 365 business tenant where the locked-out user is the only admin, call Microsoft Support (Customer service phone numbers - Microsoft Support) and request escalation to the Data Protection team to reset the authentication methods.
- For Microsoft personal, work, or school accounts:
- If Authenticator shows “Authentication did not complete” or no prompts
- Ensure the app is unlocked.
- Enable notifications for Authenticator.
- Update to the latest version.
- Check network connectivity and device date/time.
If iCloud or Authenticator backup cannot be accessed at all, third‑party accounts (like Amazon, Facebook, Gmail) must be added again manually using their own security pages.
References:
- Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
- Authentication methods in Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Authenticator app
- Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
- Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
- Authenticator Did Not Complete Login
- Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
- Authentication did not complete
- 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 app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
- Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A