Unable to access Authnticatior.

Question

I have a commercial account which has only 1 admin which is me.

I have changed my phone and lost the access to authenticator. There is no alternate way setup in the account to get the codes and it is sending the codes to my account which again needs the Authenticator app to open. I am stuck in a loop and have been reading through multiple blogs nothing has helped.

I cannot find support number the only one I could see was the global support number which has me on the waiting line for 3 hours straight. This is a business account and lot of my meetings are tied to it.

Answer 1

Immediate Steps:

1. Access Recovery via Global Admin Support:
   • Go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Help page and attempt to use the "Can’t access your account?" option.
2. Open a Support Ticket:
   • If you have access to a temporary Microsoft account, log into Microsoft Support for Business and request assistance by describing your issue clearly.
3. Verify Identity with Microsoft:

• Prepare details like:

  - Your account subscription details.
  
        - Domain name or purchase receipt.
  
              - Any additional verification proof Microsoft might request.
  

  • This helps them confirm account ownership during the recovery process.

1. Regional Support Numbers:
   • Call the regional business support team. Use this link to find the number for your country: Microsoft Support Phone Numbers.
2. Escalate Through Azure AD Recovery:
   • If your account is linked to Azure AD, you can request help via Azure AD-specific recovery processes by contacting support from the Azure portal.
   Use a Recovery Agent (if applicable):
   • Some organizations assign recovery agents or recovery keys. Check if your setup allows for such options.

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For Long-Term Safety:

Once resolved, set up backup authentication methods (e.g., phone, email, or backup codes) to avoid similar issues in the future.