How to Transfer Microsoft Authenticator to a New iPhone or Android

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Easy steps to move Authenticator accounts to a new device

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: November 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Android
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• FAQ & Troubleshooting
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If you use the Microsoft Authenticator app to log in to work, school, or personal accounts, you can easily transfer your accounts to a new phone. Because Authenticator backs up to your Apple account (iPhone) or your Microsoft account (Android) by default, moving Authenticator to a new device is super easy–even if you lose your old phone. In this article, we'll teach you how to move Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone and fix any problems that may arise.

Move MS Authenticator to a New Phone: Quick Steps

• iPhone: Enable iCloud Drive, Keychain, and backups for Authenticator on the old phone. On the new phone, install the app to recover all accounts automatically.
• Android: On the old phone, go to ⋮ > Settings in Authenticator, enable backups, and select your Microsoft account. On the new phone, install the app, tap Restore from Backup, and log in with your Microsoft account.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Transferring to a New iPhone

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1. 
   1
   Enable iCloud Drive on your old phone. If you haven't already, you'll need to enable iCloud Drive on the original phone so you can sync your Microsoft Authenticator data to the cloud. Here's how:

   • Open your iPhone's Settings.
   • Tap your name at the top.
   • Tap iCloud.
   • Tap Drive or iCloud Drive.
   • If "Sync this iPhone" is turned off, tap the switch to turn it on.
2. 
   2
   Enable iCloud Keychain on your old phone. If Keychain is not enabled, you'll need to turn it on now. Here's how:

   • Open your iPhone's Settings.
   • Tap your name at the top.
   • Tap iCloud.
   • Tap Passwords under "Saved to iCloud."
   • If "Sync this iPhone" is turned off, tap the switch to turn it on.
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3. 
   3
   Enable iCloud Backup on your old phone. Next, you'll need to make sure Microsoft Authenticator is backing up to iCloud:

   • Open your iPhone's Settings.
   • Tap your name at the top.
   • Tap iCloud.
   • Tap iCloud Backup.
   • If "Back Up This iPhone" is turned off, tap the switch to turn it on.
   • Tap the back button to return to the previous screen.
   • Tap See All next to "Saved to iCloud."
   • Scroll down until you see "Authenticator."
   • If the switch is turned off, tap it to turn it on.
4. 
   4
   Back up your old iPhone. Once you've ensured the previous settings are all taken care of, you'll want to back up your iPhone to ensure your current Authenticator profiles are ready to be transferred to the new phone. Here's how:

   • Open your iPhone's Settings.
   • Tap your name at the top.
   • Tap iCloud.
   • Tap iCloud Backup.
   • Tap Back Up Now.
5. 
   5
   Enable iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup on your new phone. Just as you did with your old phone, enable these iCloud features on your new phone so you can easily transfer Microsoft Authenticator. Make sure you are signed in to the new phone using the same Apple Account you were using on your old iPhone.
6. 
   6
   Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone. You can download the app from the App Store.
7. 
   7
   Open Authenticator on the new phone to recover your accounts. Because your Microsoft Authenticator data was synced to iCloud from your old phone, the same accounts will now be available on your new phone. There are a few important things to keep in mind:

   • For personal Microsoft Accounts and third-party accounts:
     • If your account uses a one-time password code (the type that refreshes every 30 seconds), the account and password codes will be restored automatically.
     • If you enabled passwordless sign-in, only the account name is transferred, and you'll need to sign in again to restore the passwordless info.
   • For work and school accounts:
     • Only the username will be restored, and you'll see the option to "Sign in" next to the account. Tapping Sign in will allow you to log in again, and your account info will be saved.
8. 
   8
   Deauthorize your old phone. Once the transfer is complete, you'll want to remove your old phone from your Microsoft account so sign-in notifications are only received on the new phone. Uninstalling Microsoft Authenticator from your old phone is not enough. Here's what you'll need to do:

   • If you have a personal Microsoft account, log in to the Account Security page in a web browser. Then, turn off verification for your old phone.
   • For a work or school Microsoft account, log in to your My Apps page (or your company's online portal, if applicable) to disable verification for your old phone.
   • Having trouble? Jump down to our FAQ & Troubleshooting steps.
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Section 2 of 3:

Transferring to a New Android

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1. 
   1
   On your old phone, open Microsoft Authenticator and tap the menu ⋮. You'll see it near the top of the app.
2. 
   2
   Tap Settings. This opens your Microsoft Authenticator account settings.
3. 
   3
   Enable backups if disabled. If the "Cloud Backup" toggle (the cloud icon) is disabled, enable it now, then select the Microsoft account to which you want to back up your Authenticator data. If you make changes here, tap OK to save them and start the backup.
4. 
   4
   On the new phone, install and launch Microsoft Authenticator. You can download the app from the Play Store. Once installed, open the app.
5. 
   5
   Tap Restore from Backup. You'll be prompted to log in.

   • If this option doesn't appear, it's because you've already tried to add an account to Authenticator on this phone. To fix this, you'll need to remove any accounts you've tried to add. Here's how:
     • Close Microsoft Authenticator.
     • Open your Android's Settings.
     • Tap Apps.
     • Tap Authenticator.
     • Tap either Storage or Storage & cache.
     • Tap Clear data.
     • Tap OK to confirm.
     • Reopen Authenticator and tap Restore from Backup.
6. 
   6
   Log in to your account. You will be prompted to log in to your Microsoft account–be sure to log in to the same Microsoft account to which you backed up Authenticator on your old phone. Once you're signed in, Microsoft Authenticator accounts will transfer to your new phone. There are a few things to keep in mind:

   • For personal Microsoft Accounts and third-party accounts:
     • If your account uses a one-time password code (the type that refreshes every 30 seconds), the account and password codes will be restored automatically.
     • If you enabled passwordless sign-in, only the account name is transferred, and you'll need to sign in again to restore the passwordless info.
   • For work and school accounts:
     • Only the username will be restored, and you'll see "Action required" next to the account. Tapping Action required will allow you to log in again, and your account info will be saved.
7. 
   7
   Deauthorize your old phone. Once the transfer is complete, you'll want to remove your old phone from your Microsoft account so sign-in notifications are only received on the new phone. Uninstalling Microsoft Authenticator from your old phone is not enough. Here's what you'll need to do:

   • If you have a personal Microsoft account, log in to the Account Security page in a web browser. Then, turn off verification for your old phone.
   • For a work or school Microsoft account, log in to your My Apps page (or your company's online portal, if applicable) to disable verification for your old phone.
   • Having trouble? Jump down to our FAQ & Troubleshooting steps.
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQ & Troubleshooting

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1. 1
   Can I transfer Microsoft Authenticator from iPhone to Android? Unfortunately, you can only transfer MS Authenticator to a new phone on the same platform (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android). If you're switching platforms, you'll need to re-add accounts manually.
2. 2
   How do you get Authenticator on a new phone without the old phone? If Microsoft Authenticator was backed up on your old phone, you should be able to restore your accounts on a new phone.

   • If you are using an iPhone, ensure you're signed in with the same Apple Account you used on the old phone.
   • On an Android, you'll be prompted to restore Authenticator when you open the app for the first time. If you sign in to the same Microsoft account you used for Authenticator on your old phone (and you didn't disable backups on the old phone), you should be able to restore Authenticator without the old phone.
3. 3
   What happens if I lose my phone with the Microsoft Authenticator app? As long as backups were enabled on your old phone, you should be able to restore Authenticator on your new phone. Just install the Microsoft Authenticator app on the new phone, and log in with the same account you used on the old phone.
4. 4
   What if I lose access to my Microsoft Authenticator account? If you can't log in to the Microsoft account you use with Authenticator:

   • For a personal Microsoft account, visit the account recovery page and try one of the recovery methods. If you don't have access to any of them, fill out the form to recover your account. Once recovered, turn off 2-step verification for your Microsoft account to log in, and you should be able to set up Authenticator on a new device.
   • For non-Microsoft accounts (like Facebook or Google), follow the account recovery steps for those services.
   • For a work or school Microsoft account, contact your IT department.
5. 5
   Why am I not getting notifications for Microsoft Authenticator on my new phone? If you don't deauthorize your old phone after transferring Authenticator to a new device, notifications are likely being sent to the old phone.

   • If you have a personal Microsoft account, log in to the Account Security page in a web browser. Then, turn off verification for your old phone.
   • For a work or school Microsoft account, log in to your My Apps page (or your company's online portal, if applicable) to disable verification for your old phone.
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