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Removing an account from Microsoft Authenticator does not create an “undelete” option. To re-add it, either restore an available Authenticator backup or register the account again from its security settings.
Use the method that matches the account type: work or school, personal Microsoft, or another service such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail.
Before you start
Have the account password and another verification method available if possible. Re-registering an account can require a text message, email code, Temporary Access Pass (TAP), administrator approval, or a previously registered device.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRemoving an entry from Authenticator removes that account from the app and stops that device from verifying sign-ins. It does not, by itself, remove every server-side security setting from the account.
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- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
If the account was removed recently and a backup exists, try restoration first. Otherwise, use the account provider’s setup process below.
Option 1: Restore Microsoft Authenticator from a backup
Restoration is not a selective undelete operation. Authenticator restores the available backup, after which some accounts may require you to sign in again.
Android
- Open Microsoft Authenticator.
- Before signing in to any account, select Restore from backup or Begin recovery.
- Sign in with the personal Microsoft account used to create the Authenticator backup.
- If an account shows Sign in to restore your account, tap Sign in, enter the password, and confirm the displayed email address or phone number.
- If an account shows Action required, open the account, tap its tile, and select the option to sign in and recover it.
If the restore option is missing, Authenticator may still have accounts signed in. Remove or sign out of every account, close and reopen the app, then start recovery before signing in again. Microsoft requires the recovery flow to be selected before the app is signed in.
iPhone or iPad
iOS backups restore only to iOS devices, and Android backups restore only to Android devices. For an iPhone or iPad backup to be available, Microsoft lists these requirements:
- iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, and iCloud Backup must be enabled.
- Authenticator must be enabled in the device’s Saved to iCloud list.
- The old device must have used Authenticator version 6.8.33 or later.
- Authenticator must have been opened at least once on the old device before changing phones.
On the replacement iPhone or iPad, uninstall and reinstall Authenticator. If the requirements are met, the available backup should appear during setup.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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What a backup brings back
| Account | What restoration provides | What you must do afterward |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft personal account using rotating codes | The one-time-password codes | Usually no additional registration for the code entry |
| Microsoft personal account using passwordless sign-in | Only the account name | Sign in and complete registration again |
| Work or school account | Only the account name | Sign in and register Authenticator again |
| Third-party account using rotating codes | The one-time-password codes | Usually no additional registration for the code entry |
Backup does not restore the former Authenticator password-autofill store. Microsoft says autofill stopped working in July 2025, and passwords stopped being accessible in Authenticator in August 2025.
Option 2: Re-add a work or school account with a QR code
This is the usual method for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, and other managed organizational accounts.
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- On a computer, open Security info.
- Select Add sign-in method.
- Choose Microsoft Authenticator from the list.
- Select Add.
- If Authenticator is already installed on the phone, select Next. A QR code appears on the computer.
- Open Microsoft Authenticator on the phone.
- Select the + icon, then Add account.
- Choose Work or school account.
- Tap Scan a QR Code and scan the code shown on the computer.
Finish the test notification or code prompt shown by Microsoft. The account should then appear as a new entry in Authenticator.
If Security info is unavailable
Open the organization’s Additional security verification page. Select the checkbox beside Authenticator app, then select Configure to display the QR code.
If the QR code will not scan
On the computer, select Can’t scan the image. On the phone, select Enter code manually, then enter the displayed code and URL.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Re-add a work or school account with credentials
This option is available only when the organization’s administrator has enabled phone sign-in with Authenticator. Microsoft says it is not available to users in China.
- Open Authenticator and select the + icon in the top menu.
- Tap Work or school account.
- Select Sign in.
- Enter the work or school account credentials.
- If your administrator issued a Temporary Access Pass, use it when prompted.
- Tap the account and check the full-screen view to confirm that the displayed account is the correct one.
For U.S. government organizations, Microsoft states that Sign in with your credentials is the only way to add a phone-sign-in account.
Option 3: Re-add a personal Microsoft account
- Open the Microsoft account Security page and sign in.
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
- Choose Use an app.
- If Authenticator is already installed, select Set up a different Authenticator app, then select Next to reveal a QR code.
- On the phone, open Authenticator and select the + icon.
- Choose Personal account.
- Tap Scan a QR Code and scan the code on the computer.
If the camera cannot read the code, select I can’t scan the bar code on the computer and use Enter code manually in Authenticator.
To add Authenticator specifically for two-step verification, use Manage how I sign in → Two-step verification → On, then follow Microsoft’s prompts.
Option 4: Re-add a non-Microsoft account
The service itself must first display a QR code as part of its two-step-verification setup. Authenticator cannot recreate an account without the provider’s secret or QR code.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
- Open Microsoft Authenticator.
- Select the + icon.
- On the Add account screen, select Other account.
- Scan the QR code displayed by the account provider.
- Enter the six-digit code from Authenticator on the provider’s setup page, if requested.
If an account with the same name already exists, Authenticator may let you rename the newly added entry.
Example: Google
- Open your Google Account security page.
- Select Add more second steps to verify it’s you.
- Select Set up from the Authenticator app.
- Choose Android or iPhone, then select Next.
- In Authenticator, select + → Other account (Google, Facebook, etc.).
- Scan Google’s QR code.
- Enter the code shown in Authenticator on Google’s setup page and select Verify.
Fix common re-add and restore problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Restore from backup is missing | Accounts are still signed in to Authenticator | Remove or sign out of all accounts, reopen the app, and start recovery before signing in. |
| Restore asks you to sign in again | Expected behavior for work/school accounts and passwordless Microsoft accounts | Complete the account sign-in and registration process. |
| The iPhone backup does not appear | iCloud services, Saved to iCloud, app version, or old-device requirements were not met | Check iCloud Drive, Keychain, Backup, Saved to iCloud, and the 6.8.33 minimum version. |
| Backup was saved to the wrong Microsoft account | Cloud Backup is linked to another personal Microsoft account | In Authenticator, open Settings, turn off Cloud Backup, select OK, turn it on again, and select Continue or Change account. |
| Something went wrong during backup | You are signed out of the backup account | Open More → Settings. Under Backup, turn on Cloud Backup, then select Continue or Change account and sign in. |
Microsoft directs you to aka.ms/mfasetup |
The account lacks enough authentication methods to obtain a strong-authentication token | Use another registered method or ask the organization’s administrator to reset or provide a registration method. |
| Registration says the location is restricted by the administrator | Authenticator registration is disabled for the user or blocked by Conditional Access | Contact the organization’s administrator. |
If you cannot access the Microsoft or iCloud account that contains the backup, Microsoft says its support agents cannot restore the Authenticator credentials without access to that backup account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Remove an entry before registering it again
To remove one account from Authenticator:
- Open Authenticator.
- Select the account.
- Tap the Settings gear.
- Tap Remove account.
To remove every account, use one of these device-level options:
- Android: open device Settings → Apps → Authenticator → Storage or Storage & cache → Clear data → OK.
- iPhone: open device Settings → General → Storage → Authenticator → Offload App.
Microsoft warns that these operations remove all accounts and cannot be undone. Do not clear the app’s data merely to re-add one account unless you have confirmed that you can register every account again.
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- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
FAQ
Can I recover just one deleted Authenticator account?
No. Microsoft Authenticator does not provide an undelete function for an individual entry. Restore the available backup, or register that account again using its security settings and a new QR code or credential flow.
Will restoring Authenticator bring back my work account completely?
No. A work or school account backup contains only the account name. You must sign in and complete Authenticator registration again.
Can I restore an Android Authenticator backup on an iPhone?
No. Microsoft supports restoration only between the same device types: Android to Android or iOS to iOS.
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What if I deleted the account and have no backup?
Open the account provider’s security settings and set up Authenticator again. You may need another verification method, an administrator-issued Temporary Access Pass, or help from the provider’s support team.
Does removing an account from Authenticator disable MFA everywhere?
It disables that device’s ability to verify sign-ins for the removed account. Re-registering or changing the account’s server-side MFA methods is a separate process.
The Bottom Line
For a removed account, first try Restore from backup before signing in to Authenticator. If no usable backup exists, generate a new QR code from the account’s security page and add it through + → Add account. Work and school accounts normally require registration again even after restoration, while code-based third-party accounts can often recover their rotating codes from backup.
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