How do i restore my authenticator accounts

Joe LaNunziata 0 Reputation points
2026-09-13T18:24:04.1266667+00:00

I backed up my authenticator app. How do i restore my authenticator accounts to my new phone?

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-13T18:24:19.6066667+00:00

    To restore Microsoft Authenticator accounts on a new phone:

    1. Restore only to the same device type.
      • iOS backups can only be restored to iOS.
      • Android backups can only be restored to Android.
    2. On the new phone, install Microsoft Authenticator.
    3. Start recovery from the app:
      • Select Restore from backup or Begin recovery.
      • Sign in with the same recovery account used when the backup was created.
    4. Complete account recovery:
      • Microsoft personal accounts using only one-time password codes are restored.
      • Third-party accounts such as Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail that use one-time password codes are restored.
      • Work or school accounts restore only the account name. Open each account and sign in again to complete setup.
      • If a personal Microsoft account used passwordless sign-in, only the account name is restored, and it must be signed in again.

    If Restore from backup is not available:

    • Remove or sign out of all accounts in Authenticator, then open the app again.
    • Verify that backup was enabled on the old phone.
    • Verify that the same recovery account is being used.
    • Verify that the restore is being done to the same device type.

    If the new phone is iPhone/iPad, also make sure on the old iPhone that these were enabled before switching:

    • iCloud Drive
    • iCloud Keychain
    • iCloud Backup
    • In Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud, turn on Authenticator

    If the backup does not appear on a new iOS device, uninstall and reinstall Authenticator on the new device. The backup should then appear. Microsoft also recommends opening the app at least once on the old phone before switching, and using Authenticator version 6.8.33 or later.

    If an account shows “Sign in to restore your account” or “Sign in to add your account,” that is expected for some restored accounts. Open that account and sign in again.

    If restore still fails:

    • If the issue is access to iCloud, contact Apple Support.
    • Otherwise, add the accounts again manually.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Bruce (SqlWork.com) 85,361 Reputation points
    2026-09-13T18:46:17.0866667+00:00

    While the backup can be restored to a new phone, the new phone is not an authorized device. For each account you must authorize the new phone. Typically you would use your old phone or alternate MFA for that account. If this can not be done, you will need to preform an account reset (forgot password) for each account.

    If you have the old phone, then on the new phone click each account and authorize by approving on the old phone.

    Note: if you can not restore the backup, just create on the new phone, and authorize from the old phone. I setup my iPad is an alternative authentication device and also setup an alternative MFA method for each account. This way a lost phone is recoverable.

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