How to Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator

Backing Up Your Accounts on an iOS Device

If you use an iPhone or iPad, you’ll use iCloud to store your Authenticator backup. This keeps your two-factor authentication codes and account details safe.

Step 1Enable iCloud Drive

Backing up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts on an iPhone or iPad starts with turning on iCloud Drive, because this is where your backup data gets saved.

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Tap on your Apple ID banner at the top.
• Select iCloud.
• Turn the switch for iCloud Drive on. It should turn green.

Tip: If iCloud Drive is already on, you don’t need to do anything. Move on to the next step.

Step 2Enable iCloud Keychain

You should turn on iCloud Keychain because, while it doesn’t store your Authenticator codes directly, it’s a vital part of the Apple backup system that Microsoft Authenticator uses.

• Go back to the main Settings screen.
• Tap on your Apple ID banner.
• Select iCloud.
• Find Passwords & Keychain (or just Keychain on older iOS versions) and turn it on.

Warning: If you are asked to merge your iCloud data, it is usually safe to do so. This helps everything sync. If you are unsure, check Apple’s help pages.

Step 3Enable iCloud Backup

Make sure iCloud Backup is switched on for your iPhone or iPad, as this backs up your whole device, including the data for your Microsoft Authenticator app.

• Go to Settings > your Apple ID > iCloud.
• Scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
• Make sure the iCloud Backup switch is on.

Practical Tip: iCloud backups usually happen when your device is connected to 📶 Wi-Fi, charging, and locked. You can also tap Back Up Now to start a backup right away.

Step 4Enable Authenticator in Your iCloud Saved List

You need to tell iCloud to include Microsoft Authenticator’s data in its backups by finding Authenticator in your iCloud saved list and turning its switch on .

• Go to Settings > your Apple ID > iCloud.
• Under “Apps Using iCloud,” you might need to tap Show All to see the full list.
• Look for Authenticator and make sure its switch is on (green).

Important Note: If you don’t see Authenticator in this list, make sure you have the latest version of the app. Sometimes, after a big app update, you might need to turn this setting back on.

Backing Up Your Accounts on an Android Device

For Android users, Microsoft Authenticator uses its own cloud backup. It usually saves your data to your personal Microsoft account. This is simpler than the iOS method.

Step 1Open Authenticator Settings

Open the app to find the backup options.

• Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your Android device.
• Tap the three lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner.
• Select Settings from the menu.

Step 2Turn On Cloud Backup

The main switch for Microsoft Authenticator’s backup feature is Cloud Backup, so tap the toggle to turn it on until it shows as active, usually in green or blue.

• In ⚙️ the Settings menu, find the Cloud Backup toggle.
• Tap the toggle to turn it on. It should change color (like green or blue) to show it’s active.

Step 3Select Your Backup Account

For your Microsoft Authenticator backup to work, the app needs to know which personal Microsoft account to use, so you’ll be asked to select one if you haven’t already.

• If you haven’t set up a backup account before, you’ll be asked to select one. Choose the personal Microsoft account you want to use.
• If you have an existing backup, you might see an option to Change account or confirm the current one.
• Tap OK to confirm your choice and start the backup.

Warning: Make sure you choose a personal Microsoft account that you can access and will use for recovery. If you pick the wrong account, you’ll need to delete the old backup and make a new one.

Tip: It’s a good idea to check your backup status sometimes. The app should show when the last backup happened. If it seems stuck or hasn’t updated in a while, you might need to start it again or check your internet connection.

Summary

Backing up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts takes just a few minutes and can save you a lot of stress later, ensuring you can easily get back into your important online services if something happens to your device.