A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
If the old phone is unavailable and cloud backup was not enabled, the previously authenticated accounts usually cannot be restored through Microsoft Authenticator.
What can still be tried:
- On the new phone, if Restore from backup or Begin recovery is available, use it before signing in.
- Sign in with the same recovery account that would have been used for backup.
- If Restore from backup is not available, remove or sign out of all accounts in Authenticator, then reopen the app and look for Restore from backup again.
Important limits:
- Backup and restore only works on the same device type. An iOS backup cannot be restored to Android.
- For work or school accounts, only the account name is restored. Each account must be signed in again after restore.
- If no backup exists, the codes and account entries are not recoverable from Authenticator.
For the accounts that cannot be restored:
- Work or school accounts: contact the organization’s IT help desk and ask them to reset MFA settings or allow re-registration for MFA.
- Third-party accounts such as social, gaming, or other services: use each service’s account recovery process or contact that service’s support to reset two-factor authentication.
If a restore does work and an account shows Sign in to restore your account, open that account in Authenticator, tap Sign in, then complete the password and additional verification steps.
- Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
- Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
- Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
- My old phone has broken so I can’t access the old authenticator app so now I can’t log in on the phone as I need the old phone to login which I broken - Microsoft Q&A
- Lost access to all my TOTPs in authenticator app - Microsoft Q&A