Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Shifting MS Authenticator to a brand new cellphone and not using a private account · Ponderings of an Andy


Introduction

Work makes use of the Microsoft Authenticator app as their 2FA utility of alternative. It isn’t my favourite, however it does what it must do, and since I solely use the applying for work issues, it is good to maintain work accounts out of private accounts in my different 2FA utility. Just lately, I bought a brand new cellphone, and wanted emigrate the whole lot over to that gadget. As an apart, Android continues to make this simpler and simpler.

Normal recommendation on the best way to migrate your token to a brand new gadget is to allow cloud backup, check in to the brand new gadget and import the backup. The issue is once you go to allow Cloud Backup from the settings, you might be hit with this message:

“You want a private Microsoft account to make use of cloud backup”

Nicely, I haven’t got a private Microsoft account.

Apart: I am unable to present screenshots of the Android utility for this submit as a result of the applying prevents screenshots from being taken. I respect this function as a part of the applying for safety functions, however it’s annoying when attempting to jot down about it. Oh effectively…

Various to Cloud Backup

I’ve arrange MFA on my work account – clearly – and might entry settings via the Microsoft MFA setup web page. From right here, you will be on the Safety Information web page. It’s going to present the present authenticator gadget being utilized. You may want the outdated gadget throughout this course of to authenticate one final time.

Click on on “Add sign-in methodology” after which “Microsoft Authenticator”

Options to pick from for adding a new signin method. For this, select Microsoft Authenticator

In your cellphone, guarantee you could have the MS Authenticator utility put in. Then observe the on display screen prompts between your pc and your new cellphone. You may choose “Work or Faculty” after which scan the QR code that’s widespread with 2FA/MFA purposes.

The final step within the course of shall be to ship an authentication request to the brand new gadget. Achieve this, enter the verification code, and your new gadget shall be added.

Device is approved after entering your verification code

I like to recommend you wrap this up by eradicating your outdated gadget from the Safety Information part now that the brand new gadget is authorized.

Conclusion

The Microsoft authenticator utility would not make shifting to a brand new gadget as simple as a few of its opponents. The requirement for a private Microsoft account to undergo essentially the most generally beneficial means can also be a non-starter if you do not have such an account already. Happily, the choice posted above ended up working simply effective. I assume I am going to want a brand new cellphone once more, and this could assist at the least me, bear in mind that there’s a straightforward sufficient solution to migrate.

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