How to back up + restore Microsoft Authenticator

Backing up

Note: You can only backup and restore on the same device type: accounts backed up using an iOS device cannot be restored on an Android device.

iOS

To back up your accounts on an iOS device you need to enable iCloud to use Authenticator and then enable backup in Authenticator.

  1. Enable iCloud Drive on your iOS device. Learn how.

  2. Enable iCloud Keychain on you iOS device. Learn how.

  3. Enable iCloud Backup on your iOS device. Learn how.

    1. Go to your Saved to iCloud list and search for Authenticator. Learn how.
    2. Turn on the toggle for Authenticator.

Android

To back up your one-time password accounts on an Android device:

  1. Open Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator app icon

  2. Tap  then Settings.

  3. Turn on the auth-app-cloud-backup-icon-16-px  Cloud Backup toggle.

  4. Select a personal Microsoft account where the backup will be stored.
    Do not backup to your Cairnmillar (or any other work/school account) account. This is because you will end up in an infinite loop of trying to login to Cairnmillar account to restore the backup, but needing an authenticator code to do so, which is saved in the backup etc.

    Note

    If you saved the backup to the wrong account, or need to change the recovery account, delete the existing backup and make a new one. 

  5. Tap OK

Restoring

iOS

  1. Enable iCloud Drive on your iOS device. Learn how.

  2. Enable iCloud Keychain on you iOS device. Learn how.

  3. Enable iCloud Backup on your iOS device. Learn how.

    1. Download and install Authenticator.

    2. Sign in to each of your accounts to complete the restore.
      Screenshot of Microsoft Authenticator showing the message sign in to restore your account

Android

Important

Select either Restore from backup or Begin recovery links before signing in recovery.
If you have already signed in without restoring, sign out before proceeding with account recovery (see below: removing all accounts from Microsoft authenticator)

  1. On your mobile device, open Authenticator, and select Restore from backup.
  2. Sign in to your recovery account using the personal Microsoft account you used during the backup process. Your account credentials will be recovered to the new device.

Only complete this step if you signed back into Microsoft authenticator without restoring the backup:

Removing all accounts from Microsoft Authenticator

The easiest way to start again with Microsoft Authenticator is to uninstall (not just delete) the app, and then reinstall it from the App/Google Play store.
If this does not work, you can also try the following:

iOS

  1. Open your device’s Settings app.

  2. Select General then Storage.

  3. Select Authenticator in your app list.

  4. Tap on Offload App.

    Important

    There is no undo. All accounts will be removed, and you will not be able to use your device to verify sign-in.

Android

  1. Open your device’s Settings app and select Apps.

  2. Select Authenticator in your app list.

  3. Select Storage or Storage & cache.

  4. Tap Clear data then OK.

Important

There is no undo. All accounts will be removed, and you will not be able to use your device to verify sign-in.