How Do I Transfer My 2FA Account To My New Phone?

In this Microsoft guide, we show you how to transfer your Microsoft Authenticator account to a new phone.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) is a great way to add an extra layer of protection to the existing system and account logins.

By requiring a second piece of information like a randomly-generated numerical code sent by text message, you’re able to make sure that the person using the login credentials is actually who they say they are.

However, as important as MFA is, it’s not always easy to use. For example, Google Authenticator doesn’t have any backup capabilities, meaning you have to start from scratch on each new device.

Fortunately, Microsoft Authenticator doesn’t have that problem. It provides a much-needed backup and restore capability for accounts.

How Do I Restore My Microsoft Authenticator To A New Phone?

To move your Microsoft MFA account to a new phone, follow these steps:

  • Open the app on your old phone
  • Tap the three dots at the top right
  • Tap “Settings”
  • Enable “Cloud backup”/”iCloud Backup”
  • On your new phone, install the Microsoft Authenticator app and log in to your account
  • Select “Begin Recovery”
  • Your account and its settings will be added to your new phone

How Do I Change My Authenticator App To A New Phone?

To set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on a new phone, follow these steps:

  • Open your phone’s app store (Google Play or the Apple App Store)
  • Find the Microsoft Authenticator app
  • Install the Microsoft Authenticator app
  • Log in to your Microsoft Authenticator account on the new device

How Do I Register A New Device With Microsoft Authenticator?

To register a new device with the Microsoft Authenticator, follow these steps:

  • Open your phone’s app store (Google Play or the Apple App Store)
  • Find the Microsoft Authenticator app
  • Install the Microsoft Authenticator app
  • Log in to your Microsoft Authenticator account on the new device

To learn more about Microsoft solutions, make sure to check out our on-demand library of past Microsoft webinars, and see the schedule for upcoming broadcasts.