Microsoft Authenticator App - New Phone all accounts are Action Required

Michael Hatton 20

I have a new phone and after restoring the backup of my Microsoft Authenticator App all accounts in the app are stating Action required.
Accounts that have the SMS option enabled I can generate or get a QR Code to restore them but if they do not have SMS enabled I get either the 2 digit code to authenticate my access request or have to input a code from the app but I cannot as it is not authenticated.

Just going around in a circle without being able to access the accounts.
Why after restoring a backup is Action required?

Is there another way I can access these accounts?

Dr. S. Gomathi 695 Reputation points MVP

2023-11-15T03:29:05.0566667+00:00

Hi Michael,

Please check this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/back-up-and-recover-account-credentials-in-the-authenticator-app-bb939936-7a8d-4e88-bc43-49bc1a700a40#to-recover-your-information

Would it be possible to begin by using your old phone for authentication verification to set up an additional method, then remove the old device from the system, and afterward, use your new phone to scan a QR code to complete the action required?

Please upvote if you find this reply useful.

Regards,

Dr. Gomathi S
Michael Hatton 20 Reputation points

2023-11-15T06:28:38.2+00:00

Unfortunately the old phone is no longer accessible. In doing a backup before transferring to my new device the assumption was that no additional action would be required on the authenticator app.

As mentioned the accounts that have the SMS option enabled I can access, but there were no prompts from Microsoft to enable this on all accounts before transferring to a new phone.
Michael Hatton 10 Reputation points

2023-12-13T16:47:33.9566667+00:00

Hello, This is still not solved. I cannot access a number of accounts. In the app it states action required and ask me to scan a QR code, but I cannot generate a QR code for the accounts. I try to log in via a web browser using the password but the only method is via the app, either 2 digits or a code. However no notifications appear on the app as the accounts have Action required status.
Could someone suggest a way to reset these or resolve this problem - Microsoft does not state that each account will need the text message function setup when backing up the Authenticator App during a new device setup.
Jacob Jarick 15 Reputation points

2024-06-30T07:01:31.2766667+00:00

The problem is MS authenticator backup is a pathetic joke. All it will do is give you a list of accounts you need to resetup.

Google authenticator backup and restore simply works, MS authenticator you need to contact each company you have a code with, remove your MFA then re-add and hope all goes well.

Given the option to use google auth, you should never use this product.
Rifai Rahman M 0 Reputation points

2025-02-21T16:36:01.7533333+00:00

Hi, same problem with me as well, simply going on in circles................................

1 answer

Taylan Guvercin 30 Reputation points

2023-12-11T09:26:25.6033333+00:00

Oh that's fantastic Microsoft Authenticator requires those accounts to be handled one by one which means I need to go through 20 different accounts to re-done MFA setup as I got a new phone now.

As a solution, I went into https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info as described, clicked on "Add sign-in method" but this time I clicked on "I want to use a different authenticator app" and used Google Authenticator. So next time when I got a new phone, I will know the transition will be smoother !
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6 people found this answer helpful.
Kacper Tomalik 11 Reputation points

2024-01-28T14:33:57.61+00:00

Yea, this is horrible. On Iphones this works without an issue. However on android the action required is horrible. Even worse is, some companies don't allow "I wan to use a different authenticator app" and a phone sms/call at all so you are bound to the MS App.....

KoenDepovere-4096 10 Reputation points

2024-02-05T21:54:18.17+00:00

It would have been helpful if MS called this feature "Partial Backup" or at least had put a disclaimer that you need at least another authentication method (like sms, ...) on top of the Authenticator app to fully recover your data. This is really horrible.

spug 51 Reputation points

2024-07-10T13:17:08.0366667+00:00

yeah, I don't get it? What's the point in backing up your O365 MFA accounts within Authenticator, if you still have to log in to each account and scan the QR code again? I'm a multi-tenant admin, and therefore have to log into about 25 accounts to get it all back ...what a pointless exercise!

Dave Webster 1 Reputation point

2024-11-24T18:43:12.01+00:00

The point is Microsoft can say they have the same features.

The point is MS don't care.

Been like this for years now, came here today hoping it was better than a few years ago but nope.

Still useless.

Dave. MSP elf.
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