Missing Accounts Upon Transfer via Microsoft Authenticator

Bonaventure Bonnies 0 Reputation points
2026-09-03T12:18:19.72+00:00

When I transferred accounts from my old device to my new device, I noticed the transfer never went through, requiring me to re-add them myself.

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-03T12:18:36.87+00:00

    That behavior is expected in many cases. Microsoft Authenticator backup helps transfer the account list, but it does not fully restore every authentication setup.

    What restores depends on the account type:

    • Work or school accounts: only the account name is restored. The account must be opened and signed in again on the new phone to complete setup. It can show "Sign in to add your account."
    • Microsoft personal accounts: if the account uses only a 30-second one-time password code, the code entry is restored. If it also uses passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored and sign-in is required again.
    • Third-party accounts such as Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail: the one-time password code entry is typically restored.

    If accounts did not appear after moving to the new phone, check these restore requirements:

    1. Backup was enabled on the old phone.
    2. The same recovery account was used.
    3. Restore was attempted on the same device type only. Backups from iOS cannot be restored to Android, and backups from Android cannot be restored to iOS.

    For iPhone to iPhone restore issues, verify this on the old device:

    1. Enable iCloud Drive.
    2. Enable iCloud Keychain.
    3. Enable iCloud Backup.
    4. Go to Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud and make sure Authenticator is turned on.
    5. Use Authenticator version 6.8.33 or later.
    6. Open the app at least once before switching phones.

    Then on the new iPhone:

    1. Uninstall Microsoft Authenticator.
    2. Reinstall it.
    3. The backup should appear.

    If restore still is not available, the supported fallback is to add the accounts again manually. For non-Microsoft accounts, this is done by opening Authenticator, selecting the plus icon, choosing Other account, and scanning the QR code from the account sign-in page.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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