I lost access to my Authenticator when getting a new device. What now?

Question

Hi there,

Today I switched from iPhone 8 to a 16. I was bumped out of my Authenticator app which is connected to my school email and Canvas. Apple said there is no way to recover access to Authenticator since my iPhone 8 was wiped and turned in. What can I do to gain access to my school accounts again?

Answer 1

Hello @Triana Montserrat ,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft QnA forum. There are 3 possible ways you can try to get access back to the accounts on Authenticator App:

• You can restore accounts on authenticator App provided you had backed it up earlier, more details available on Restore account credentials from Microsoft Authenticator.
• If you had registered alternate authentication method like contact number than you can try following:
  • Try to login to https://aka.ms/mfasetup.
  • Complete MFA with Contact Number (Call or OTP).
  • Register Authenticator App again.
• If above both methods do not work, you would need to contact you IT Admin/Global Admin to reset Authentication Methods on your account using steps mentioned on following article for option Require re-register MFA: Manage user authentication options

Hope this will help. Please "Accept the answer" if the information helped you. This will help us and others in the community as well.

Answer 2

In a year of off and on attempts to get back into my Work account, nothing has ever worked. I am the Organization owner. I have correct user name and password. I can actually log into the account but cannot manage anything or use any apps because as soon as one tries to navigate in the account, it always asks for Authenticator verification that I do not have and cannot set up because I do not have Authenticator set up in order to set up Authenticator. It is an infuriating loop. MS provides zero useable path forward. The account is now just orphaned and as it is my business domain, I essentially can never have a proper Teams or 365 account for my business unless I literally change domains. Which is the name of my business. LOL. If you are reading this I have one partially helpful suggestion. Do not waste your time trying to solve this issue. There is actually no solve.