Windows 🟢 Beginner

How to Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator

Written by

Richard

May 19, 2026 Updated Jul 12, 2026 5 min read

Two smartphones cloud sync screens side by side

Backing up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts lets you easily restore them to a new phone.

This feature saves your two-factor authentication codes and account details, preventing you from having to set them all up again if you lose your phone or get a new one.

Microsoft Authenticator uses strong encryption to keep your backup safe. Your backup connects to either your personal Microsoft account (MSA) or an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account.

Remember, you can only restore a backup to the same type of account on your new device.

⚡ Quick Answer

To back up your accounts, open the Microsoft Authenticator app, go to Settings, and toggle Cloud Backup on. Select your personal Microsoft account to store your backup securely in the cloud.

Step 1Enable iCloud Drive

To back up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts on an iPhone or iPad, you need to turn on iCloud Drive. This is where your backup information will be stored, so make sure it’s active before you proceed.

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.

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

Step 2Enable iCloud Keychain

You’ll also want to turn on iCloud Keychain. While it doesn’t store the codes directly, it’s an important part of Apple’s backup system that Authenticator relies on for secure data saving.

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.

Merging iCloud data with Microsoft Authenticator is generally safe when the application prompts you. This merging action synchronizes all iCloud information across your devices. If you have doubts about merging iCloud data, consult Apple's official help pages for clarification.

Step 3Enable iCloud Backup

iCloud Backup backs up your entire iPhone or iPad, saving the data from your Microsoft Authenticator app. This complete device backup process ensures your Microsoft Authenticator app data is included.

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 must tell iCloud to include Microsoft Authenticator's data in iCloud backups. Find Microsoft Authenticator in your iCloud saved list and make sure the switch for Microsoft Authenticator is turned on so its data is backed up.

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

Android users employ Microsoft Authenticator's own cloud backup, which typically saves account data to their personal Microsoft account. This cloud backup method offers a more streamlined process compared to the iOS backup 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 Cloud Backup toggle is the most important setting for backing up your Microsoft Authenticator accounts. Tap the Cloud Backup toggle to turn the backup feature on; the toggle’s color changes to indicate the backup feature is active.

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 save correctly, you need to choose a personal Microsoft account. If you haven’t set one up yet, the app will prompt you to select the account you want to use for your backups.

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.

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.

Microsoft Authenticator’s backup status is important to check periodically. The Microsoft Authenticator app shows the time of the last backup. If the backup appears stuck or has not updated in over 24 hours, restart the backup process or verify 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.

Is there a backup for Microsoft Authenticator?

Yes, Microsoft Authenticator allows you to back up your accounts to the cloud using end-to-end encryption. This backup is tied to your personal Microsoft account (MSA) or Azure Active Directory (AAD) account, ensuring your credentials are safe and recoverable.

Is there a way to recover Microsoft Authenticator?

You can recover Microsoft Authenticator by restoring from a cloud backup. Ensure your backup is enabled and tied to your MSA or AAD account. This allows you to restore your two-factor authentication codes and account details to a new device.

How do I get my Microsoft Authenticator on my new phone without my old phone?

To get Microsoft Authenticator on a new phone without your old one, restore from your cloud backup. Ensure you have enabled backups previously and are logged into the same MSA or AAD account on the new device.

Can I restore Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone?

Yes, you can restore Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone. Download the app, sign in with the same Microsoft account (MSA or AAD) used for the backup, and follow the prompts to restore your accounts from the cloud.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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