A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
If this is a personal Microsoft account, remove and re-add the Authenticator method from the account security settings:
- Sign in to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- In the list of sign-in methods, find the Authenticator-related method and select Remove.
- If the old phone or app instance still appears under Ways to prove who you are, expand it and remove it.
- If all security info is removed, the account can enter a 30-day restricted state. To avoid that, add another sign-in method first if possible.
- If needed, add Authenticator again by selecting Add sign-in method and then Authenticator app.
If the problem is caused by a replaced or lost phone, remove the old device’s authentication method from Security > Advanced security options. Under Ways to prove who you are, look for Send sign-in notification with the old device name, expand it, and select Remove.
If notifications or prompts keep looping:
- Remove the affected account from the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- Add it again and allow notifications.
- Make sure push notifications are enabled on the phone and that the device has network connectivity.
- Set the phone clock to automatic time and restart the device. Expired or mismatched codes can happen when the device clock is wrong.
Important:
- Remove old security info only if there is an account security risk.
- Add new security info before removing old info when possible.
- If another sign-in method is available, use that method first to get into the account.