Methods to Change Microsoft Authenticator to a New Cellphone

Microsoft Authenticator is among the greatest Google Authenticator alternate options. It helps defend your on-line accounts from unauthorized entry by way of multifactor authentication, and also you wouldn’t wish to lose that when switching to a different. This information exhibits how you can switch Microsoft Authenticator to a brand new cellphone.

Earlier than You Change Microsoft Authenticator to a New Cellphone

There are a couple of essential issues it is advisable know. An important one is that you simply shouldn’t eliminate your outdated cellphone, as you want it to create a backup. With out one, you received’t be capable to restore your authenticator accounts mechanically on one other cellphone.

In case you’ve already created a backup on Microsoft Authenticator earlier than giving freely your outdated cellphone, then you’ve gotten every little thing it is advisable restore it on a brand new cellphone. To do this, skip forward to the “Restore the Backup on Your New Cellphone” part.

One other essential factor to know is that you may’t switch a backup created on an iPhone to an Android cellphone and vice versa, as Microsoft Authenticator shops the backup you created on iPhone on iCloud, making it incompatible with Android gadgets. It’s a must to re-add all of the authenticator accounts manually.

Tip: discover ways to view and handle saved passwords in Microsoft Edge on PC and cellular.

Create a Cloud Backup on Your Outdated Cellphone

To create a backup, first add your Microsoft account to Microsoft Authenticator.

Begin by launching the Microsoft Authenticator app in your cellphone and tapping Authenticator within the backside menu. Faucet on the plus icon (+) within the top-right nook.

Choose Private account or Work or college account, then observe the prompts to log in to your Microsoft account.

To create the backup, faucet on the three-dot icon within the top-right nook on Android or the hamburger menu within the top-left nook on iPhone.

Within the menu on the left, choose Settings.

Within the Backup part, faucet the toggle subsequent to Cloud Backup on Android or iCloud Backup on iPhone.

Observe: if the backup creation course of fails in your iPhone, go to Settings -> Apple ID -> iCloud, and be certain that the toggle subsequent to Authenticator is enabled. If it’s already on, however you continue to can’t create a backup, be sure you have sufficient space for storing on iCloud.

To view the backup, go to Settings once more within the Microsoft Authenticator app, and faucet on Particulars within the Backup part. It is possible for you to to see which gadget created the backup, in addition to when it was created and up to date. You can too delete the backup by tapping Delete backup.

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Restore the Backup on Your New Cellphone

In case you’re shifting to a brand new iPhone, be sure that to log in with the identical Apple ID you used on the outdated gadget.

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on the brand new cellphone, and faucet Restore from backup on the setup display. In case you skipped the setup display, faucet on Authenticator within the backside menu, then faucet Start Restoration.

Observe the prompts to sign up with the Microsoft electronic mail tackle linked to your Microsoft Authenticator backup. Afterward, Microsoft Authenticator will take a couple of moments to retrieve your data from the backup. When it’s finished, you must see a message that claims, “Account efficiently recovered.”

On account of safety causes, Microsoft Authenticator might must confirm a few of your authenticator accounts on the brand new cellphone. You’ll have to sign up to them once more to finish the method.

Take away Microsoft Authenticator From Your Outdated Cellphone

Now that you simply’ve efficiently switched Microsoft Authenticator to a brand new cellphone, you must take away the outdated accounts from the outdated cellphone for safety functions. To do this, choose the authenticator account you wish to take away, then faucet on the gear icon within the top-right nook.

Faucet Take away account, and ensure that you simply wish to take away the account within the immediate.

Alternatively, uninstall Microsoft Authenticator out of your outdated cellphone to take away it fully. In case you’re going to wipe your outdated cellphone since you’re promoting or giving it away, you don’t want to fret about doing any of the above.

Tip: if Microsoft Edge just isn’t responding, try our listing of options to get it to work once more.

Choose Up The place You Left Off With Microsoft Authenticator

When switching to a brand new cellphone, there’s no want to start out over, even on the subject of Microsoft Authenticator. Ensure you have a backup out of your outdated cellphone to be able to restore it on the brand new one. The method shouldn’t take lengthy, and you need to be again to utilizing Microsoft Authenticator on the opposite gadget with out skipping a beat.

Authenticator apps an additional layer of safety to your digital life, however you may’t lean on them fully. We advocate studying extra methods to guard your privateness and safety on Android, in addition to on iOS.

Picture credit score: Unsplash. All screenshots by Chifundo Kasiya.