Windows 10: Authenticator App restore

Greetings,Stupidly I didn't see the small "Begin Recovery" option when getting a new phone after breaking the old one, added an account within the Authenticator App and my accounts where not restored as I would have expected. After reading as i should have done to begin with It's not looking like i can restore the past backup of the Authenticator App... Please can someone tell me that they have found a way to do this...Thanks,p.s. Sorry if this is the wrong group...

:)

 

Microsoft Authenticator won't restore accounts

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

To better determine your problem, you can first try the following steps.

1. Ensure both devices are using the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator from the Google Play Store.
   
2. Check your Microsoft Account settings to confirm that the backup feature is indeed enabled for your Authenticator app.
   
3. Try the backup and restore process again:
   
   • On the original device (Device A), open the Microsoft Authenticator app and go to Settings > Backup.
     
   • Make sure the backup is enabled and wait for it to complete if necessary.
     
   • On the second device (Device B), install Microsoft Authenticator and sign in with the same Microsoft Account used on the first device.
     
   • During the setup process on Device B, select the option to restore from backup and follow the prompts.
     
4. If the restore still fails, try signing out of the app on both devices and then sign in again on the second device (Device B) to see if it triggers the backup restore process.
   
5. Make sure there's a stable internet connection on both devices during the backup and restore process.
   

Regarding the lack of data export options in the app, some authenticator apps don't provide this feature. To mitigate the risk of losing access to your 2FA accounts, consider the following precautions:

• When setting up new 2FA accounts, note down the QR codes or secret keys provided during setup. Store this information securely (e.g., in a password manager or encrypted file) so you can manually re-add the accounts if needed.
  
• For existing accounts, if possible, disable and re-enable 2FA temporarily to obtain the QR codes or secret keys for backup purposes.
  
• Consider using an alternative authenticator app that offers data export/import functionality, or consider using a hardware-based authenticator (like YubiKey) as a backup option.
  
  、
  

Always exercise caution when managing 2FA accounts and keep backups of critical information in a secure manner.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

New Microsoft Authenticator app version for Android and iOS - Dec. 18

Two factor authentication (TFA) is easy, convenient, and secure when you use Microsoft Authenticator. Use your phone, not your password, to log into your Microsoft account. Just enter your username, then approve the notification sent to your phone. Your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN will provide a second layer of security in this two step verification process. After youve signed in with two factor authentication (TFA), youll have access to all your Microsoft products and services, such as Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and more.

Microsoft Authenticator version 6.2012.8446 for Android

WHAT'S NEW

• We're always working on new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure you stay updated with the latest version for the best authentication experience.

Source: Microsoft Authenticator - Apps on Google Play





Microsoft Authenticator version 6.5.14 for iOS

What's New:

• We're always working on new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure you stay updated with the latest version for the best authentication experience.

Download: Microsoft Authenticator | App Store

 

New Microsoft Authenticator app version for Android and iOS - Nov. 5

Two factor authentication (TFA) is easy, convenient, and secure when you use Microsoft Authenticator. Use your phone, not your password, to log into your Microsoft account. Just enter your username, then approve the notification sent to your phone. Your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN will provide a second layer of security in this two step verification process. After youve signed in with two factor authentication (TFA), youll have access to all your Microsoft products and services, such as Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and more. Microsoft Authenticator version 6.2110.7183 for Android WHAT'S NEW

• We're always working on new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure you stay updated with the latest version for the best authentication experience.

Source: Microsoft Authenticator - Apps on Google Play Microsoft Authenticator version 6.5.85 for iOS What's New:

• We're always working on new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure you stay updated with the latest version for the best authentication experience.

Download: Microsoft Authenticator | App Store