changed phone can't move Authenticator sign in

If the old phone still works, set up the new phone before removing anything from the old one.

1. On the old phone, make sure backup is enabled in Microsoft Authenticator.
   • Android: Authenticator > Settings > turn on Cloud Backup > choose the Microsoft personal account used for backup.
   • iPhone: enable iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, iCloud Backup, then go to Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud and turn on Authenticator.
2. Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone.
3. Restore on the new phone using the same recovery account used for backup.
   • If Restore from backup is not available, verify that backup was enabled on the old phone, the same recovery account is being used, and the restore is being done to the same device type.
4. For a work or school account, seeing “Sign in to add your account.” after restore is expected.
   • Open the restored account on the new phone and sign in again to complete setup.
   • Only the account name is restored for work or school accounts.
5. If the account uses passkeys, set up a new passkey on the new phone before removing the old device.
   • Go to Security info at https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo
   • Select Add sign-in method and choose Passkey or Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator
   • Test the new passkey before deleting the old one
6. Keep the old phone until sign-in works on the new phone for the accounts used most often.

If push notifications or approval prompts still go to the old phone, that can happen when Authenticator was last active there. Approve from the old phone if available, then remove the old device after the new one is working. If the old phone is not available, use another verification method such as SMS if one is configured.

If this is a work or school account and sign-in cannot be completed on the new phone, contact the organization’s IT admin or help desk for the approved recovery or registration process.

• Transfer Microsoft Authenticator account entries to a new phone
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication