Windows 10: Issues with MS Authenticator - trying to restore my existing accounts

I am just setting up my MS Authenticator app on a new iPad, I use it primarily on my Samsung phone. I use a hotmail.com email account and is showing a backup from last night. I log the same account in on the iPad and it logs in successfully but now I'm trying to either replicate or restore all of my existing contacts but I don't see where to do that.

:)

 

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.
  
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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

 

FireFox Account Sign in Authentication Issue

I don't have an answer, but maybe something here can help. (It looks like maybe the time sync for codes is off. It's in one of these posts.)

1617201 - Trying to activate 2FA always returns "Invalid two-step authentication code" error Two-step authentication in Firefox Account Problem, Invalid two-step authentication code | Firefox Support Forum | Mozilla Support My authenticator give codes but firefox say invalid codes | Firefox Support Forum | Mozilla Support

 

Windows Microsoft account authentication

I have a valid Microsoft account and a Windows 10 PC with Hello/PIN account login enabled. I also have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed on an iPhone and configured for the Microsoft account. Additionally, I have two step authentication configured
for the Microsoft account. With all of that said, I have become very exasperated while trying to unravel the various authentication paths (and their security implications) through this multi level login security scheme. I find the associated account security
documentation to be woefully inadequate. Thus, I would like to pose the following list of questions for starters.

1. Does Windows Hello/PIN amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

2. Does approving a Microsoft Authenticator login attempt (without two step verification explicitly set up)

amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

3. Does approving a Microsoft Authenticator login attempt (with two step verification explicitly set up)

amount to a two step verification login procedure for my Microsoft account?

4. If answers to both 2 and 3 are yes, then what does explicit set up of two step authentication do?

5. Does a coherent, comprehensive document explaining Microsoft account security configuration exist somewhere?

6. If the answer to 5 is yes, wherer is it?

Thanks in advance.