How do I recover my accounts that generate codes in Authenticator?

If the codes were backed up before, they can be recovered. If they were not backed up, they usually cannot be recovered from Authenticator and the account must be set up again with the game or service.

What can be restored:

• Microsoft personal accounts: one-time password codes are restored. If the account uses passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored and sign-in is required again.
• Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored and sign-in is required again.
• Third-party accounts such as game, Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail accounts: one-time password codes are restored.

How to recover on Android:

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Select Restore from backup or Begin recovery before signing in.
3. Sign in with the same personal Microsoft account used for the backup.
4. If prompted with Sign in to restore your account or Action required, tap the account and complete verification with the password, then confirm email address or phone number.

Important for Android:

• If already signed in before choosing Restore from backup or Begin recovery, sign out first, then start recovery.
• If Restore from backup does not appear, remove or sign out of all accounts in Authenticator, then try again.

How to recover on iPhone:

1. Make sure iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup are enabled.
2. Install Authenticator.
3. Sign in to each account to complete the restore.
4. If the backup does not appear on the new device, on the old device make sure Authenticator is turned on in Saved to iCloud, use Authenticator version 6.8.33 or later, and open the app at least once before switching phones.
5. On the new device, uninstall and reinstall Authenticator, then check again.

If recovery is not possible:

• If access to the backup account is lost, support agents cannot restore the Authenticator backup.
• If there is no backup, add the accounts again.
• For a game or other third-party service, use that service’s account recovery or 2FA reset process to remove the old Authenticator setup and add it again.

References:

• Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator
• Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Recovering deleted Auth codes - Microsoft Q&A