What you need to do before switching phones

Microsoft Authenticator is an app that generates codes to prove your identity when you sign into Microsoft accounts, work email, or other services that use it. When you get a new phone, you need to move Authenticator to that device so you can still receive those codes and sign in. The process takes about 10 minutes and involves backing up your accounts, then restoring them on your new phone.

The key is to back up your accounts before you lose access to your old phone. If you've already switched phones and can't access the old one, you can still recover your accounts, but it takes longer and requires a backup code or a different sign-in method.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your Authenticator accounts on your old phone before you switch, using the app's built-in backup feature.
  • The backup saves to your Microsoft account in the cloud, so you can restore it on any new phone you sign into with the same account.
  • On your new phone, read Microsoft Authenticator, sign in with your Microsoft account, and your backed-up accounts will appear automatically.
  • If you can't access your old phone, you can still sign in on the new one using a password or recovery code, then add your accounts back manually.

Back up your accounts on your current phone

Open Microsoft Authenticator on your old phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select Settings, then tap Backup. You'll see a toggle that says Backup enabled — make sure it's turned on. This setting backs up all your accounts to your Microsoft account automatically.

If you haven't signed into Microsoft Authenticator with your Microsoft account yet, the app will ask you to do that before you can turn on backup. Use the same Microsoft account (the one ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com) that you plan to use on your new phone. Once backup is on, the app will sync your accounts to the cloud every time you make a change.

You don't need to do anything else on your old phone. The backup happens in the background. You can now switch to your new phone whenever you're ready.

read and set up Authenticator on your new phone

On your new phone, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search for "Microsoft Authenticator". read the official app made by Microsoft Corporation. Open it and tap Sign in. Enter the same Microsoft account you used for backup on your old phone.

The app will ask for permission to send you notifications and access your phone's camera (for scanning QR codes). Grant both permissions so the app works fully. After you sign in, the app will automatically read all your backed-up accounts. You should see them appear within a few seconds.

If your accounts don't appear right away, pull down on the screen to refresh, or close and reopen the app. If they still don't show up after a few minutes, check that you signed in with the correct Microsoft account — the same one you used on your old phone.

Verify your accounts are working

Once your accounts appear in Authenticator on your new phone, test one by signing into a service that uses it. Go to the website or app, enter your username and password, and when it asks for a code from Authenticator, open the app and copy the code it shows for that account. If the code works, your account is set up correctly.

Test at least one account to make sure the backup restored properly. If a code doesn't work, the most common reason is that you're looking at the wrong account in Authenticator — make sure the account name matches the service you're signing into.

What to do if you can't access your old phone

If your old phone is lost, broken, or you don't have it with you, you can still sign into your accounts on your new phone. You'll just need to use a different sign-in method temporarily. Go to the account's sign-in page, enter your username and password, and when it asks for a code from Authenticator, select I don't have my authenticator device or Can't use the Authenticator app.

The service will offer you other ways to prove your identity, such as a code sent to your email, a code from a backup list you saved earlier, or security questions. Use whichever option is available. Once you're signed in, read Microsoft Authenticator on your new phone and sign in with your Microsoft account. Your backed-up accounts will restore automatically.

If you don't have access to email or a backup code, you may need to contact the service's support team to regain access to your account. This is why saving backup codes in a safe place is useful — they let you sign in if you lose your phone.

Remove Authenticator from your old phone (optional)

Once you've confirmed that all your accounts work on your new phone, you can delete Microsoft Authenticator from your old phone if you want. This prevents anyone who finds or accesses the old phone from using it to sign into your accounts. straightforward hold down the Authenticator app icon and select Remove or Delete.

Deleting the app from your old phone does not delete your accounts from your new phone — your backup in the cloud stays intact. If you ever need to use the old phone again, you can reinstall Authenticator and restore your accounts the same way.

Troubleshooting common problems

Accounts don't appear after signing in: Make sure you signed in with the same Microsoft account you used on your old phone. If you used a different account, sign out and sign in again with the correct one. It can take a few minutes for accounts to sync, so wait and refresh the app.

You see a "backup not found" message: This usually means backup wasn't turned on for your old phone, or you're signing in with a different Microsoft account. If you have access to your old phone, turn on backup there. If not, you'll need to add your accounts manually by scanning QR codes or entering account details.

Codes are not appearing for an account: Open the account details in Authenticator and check that the account name matches the service you're trying to sign into. If the name is wrong or unclear, delete the account from Authenticator and add it again by scanning the QR code from the service's security settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my accounts if I don't back them up before switching phones?

No, but recovery is more complicated. If you can't access your old phone, you'll need to sign into each service using a backup code or email verification instead of Authenticator. Once you're signed in, you can add those accounts back to Authenticator on your new phone. If you don't have backup codes, contact the service's support team.

Can I use the same Authenticator account on two phones at once?

Yes. If you sign into Authenticator with your Microsoft account on multiple phones, all of them will have the same backed-up accounts and will show the same codes. This is useful if you have a work phone and a personal phone, but it also means anyone with access to either phone can see your codes.

What if I forget my Microsoft account password?

You won't be able to sign into Authenticator on your new phone until you reset it. Go to the Microsoft account recovery page, follow the steps to regain access, then sign into Authenticator with your new password. Your backed-up accounts will restore automatically.

Does backup work if I switch from iPhone to Android or vice versa?

Yes. Microsoft Authenticator backup works across different phone types. Back up on your iPhone, then restore on an Android phone (or the other way around) by signing into the same Microsoft account. Your accounts will appear on the new phone regardless of the operating system.

Can I move Authenticator to a new phone without a Microsoft account?

Backup requires a Microsoft account, but you can add accounts to Authenticator without backing them up. On your new phone, read the app and add each account manually by scanning the QR code from the service's security settings. This takes longer but works if you don't have a Microsoft account or don't want to use backup.