Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
Back up information on all the accounts you have in Authenticator so that if you lose your mobile, or get a new device, you can sign in to restore previously saved accounts, making it easy to access sites or services.
How to back up accounts in Microsoft Authenticator
Important:Â You can only backup 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 accounts on an iOS device you need to enable iCloud to use Authenticator and then enable backup in Authenticator.
-
Enable iCloud Drive on your iOS device. Learn how.
-
Enable iCloud Keychain on you iOS device. Learn how.
-
Enable iCloud Backup on your iOS device. Learn how.
-
Go to your Saved to iCloud list and search for Authenticator. Learn how.
-
Turn on the toggle for Authenticator.
-
More help with Authenticator backup
-
Microsoft personal accounts​​​​​​​
-
Work or school accounts
-
3rd party accounts, such as Amazon, Facebook or Gmail.
Microsoft personal accounts​​​​​​​
-
If the account only uses a one-time password code which refreshes every 30 seconds. The password codes will available once restored.
-
If the account also provides passwordless sign-in, then only the account name is backed up. When you restore, you will need to sign in again.
Work or school accounts
-
Only the account name is backed up. When you restore, you will need to sign in again.
3rd party accounts, such as Amazon, Facebook or Gmail.
-
These accounts use a one-time password code which refreshes every 30 seconds. The password codes will available once restored.
To back up your one-time password accounts on an Android device:
-
Open Microsoft Authenticator
-
Tap then Settings.
-
Turn on the
-
Select a Microsoft personal account where the backup will be stored.
Note:Â 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.Â
-
Tap OK.
More help with Authenticator backup
-
Microsoft personal accounts​​​​​​​
-
Work or school accounts
-
3rd party accounts, such as Amazon, Facebook or Gmail.
Note: Starting July 2025, the autofill feature in Authenticator will stop working, and from August 2025, passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator. Learn more.
Microsoft personal accounts​​​​​​​
-
If the account only uses a one-time password code which refreshes every 30 seconds. The password codes will available once restored.
-
If the account also provides passwordless sign-in, then only the account name is backed up. When you restore, you will need to sign in again.
Work or school accounts
-
Only the account name is backed up. When you restore, you will need to sign in again.
3rd party accounts, such as Amazon, Facebook or Gmail.
-
These accounts use a one-time password code which refreshes every 30 seconds. The password codes will available once restored.
If you want to delete a backup, or if you signed in with the wrong backup account, follow these steps:
-
On your mobile device, open Authenticator
-
Under Backup, turn off the
-
If you want to make a fresh backup, turn the
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.
-
On your mobile device, open Authenticator
-
Under Backup, turn on the
See alsoÂ
Download Microsoft Authenticator
How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator
IT Admins: Learn how to block 3rd-party TOTP for EntraID to prevent credential backup.
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
