Back up one-time password codes in Microsoft Authenticator

Summary

Microsoft Authenticator backs up one-time password codes for eligible Microsoft personal accounts and third-party accounts, such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Work or school account credentials are not backed up. Only the account name is saved, and you must sign in and register the account again on your new device.

How to back up one-time password codes in Microsoft Authenticator

Important

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

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

  1. Open Microsoft Authenticator

  2. Tap then Settings.

  3. Turn on the  Cloud Backup toggle.

  4. Select a Microsoft personal account where the backup will be stored.

    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.
    • Starting January 2027, you will no longer use your Microsoft personal account to enable backup. You will need to enable "Microsoft Authenticator" from Google One backup. Learn more about backup with Google One.

  5. Tap OK.

More help with Authenticator backup

What account information is backed up in Authenticator?

  • Microsoft personal accounts

    • If the account uses a one-time password code that refreshes every 30 seconds, the code is backed up and will be available after you restore.
    • If the account uses passwordless sign-in, the passwordless credential is not backed up. Only the account name is saved, and you must sign in again after restoring.

  • Work or school accounts

    • Work or school account credentials are not backed up. Only the account name is saved. After restoring, you must sign in and register the account again on your new device.

  • Third-party accounts, such as LinkedIn and Facebook

    • One-time password codes that refresh every 30 seconds are backed up and will be available after you restore.

To delete a backup in Microsoft Authenticator

If you want to delete a backup, or if you signed in with the wrong backup account, follow these steps:

  1. On your mobile device, open Authenticator , and select  then Settings.
  2. Under Backup, turn off the  Cloud Backup toggle and select OK to delete the backup.
  3. If you want to make a fresh backup, turn the  Cloud Backup toggle on again, and select Continue or Change account to sign in to the correct backup account.

"Something went wrong" message when trying to back up in Microsoft Authenticator

If you see the message "Something went wrong" when trying to back up your one-time password accounts, it's because you are not signed in.

  1. On your mobile device, open Authenticator , and select  then Settings.
  2. Under Backup, turn on the  Cloud Backup toggle and select Continue or Change account to sign in and create a backup.

See also

Download Microsoft Authenticator

How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator

Restore one-time password codes

IT Admins: Learn how to block third-party TOTP for Entra ID to prevent credential backup.