Microsoft Authenticator backs up your account credentials and related app settings, such as the order of your accounts, to the cloud. You can then use the app to recover your information on a new device, potentially avoiding getting locked out or having to recreate accounts.

You can back up multiple accounts, but only one of each type for example, a Microsoft personal account, a work or school account, and a non-Microsoft account such as Amazon or Google.

Important: 

  • You can only back and restore on the same device type: i.e. accounts backed up using an iOS device cannot be restored on an Android device. 

  • We don't store any other information associated with your accounts, including emails or files.

  • We also don't associate or share your accounts in any way or with any other product or service. 

Before you can back up your credentials, you must:

  • Have a personal Microsoft account to act as your recovery account. Don't have one? Create one!

  • Sign in to your iCloud account. This is where the credentials are stored.

On your iOS device:

  1. Tap Settings.

  2. Under "Backup", enable the iCloud backup toggle.

Before you can back up your credentials, you must have:

  • A personal Microsoft account to act as your recovery account. Don't have one? Create one!

On your Android device:

  1. Tap then Settings.

  2. Under "Backup", enable the Cloud Backup toggle.

"Something went wrong" message when trying to backup

If you see the message "Something went wrong" when trying to backup your credentials, it's because you are not signed in.

  1. On your mobile device, open Authenticator, and select  then Settings.

  2. Under Backup, turn on the Cloud Backup toggle and select Continue or Change account to sign in create a backup.

To delete a backup

If you want to delete a backup, or signed in with the wrong backup account, follow these steps:

  1. On your mobile device, open Authenticator, and select  then Settings.

  2. Under Backup, turn off the Cloud Backup toggle and select OK to delete the backup.

  3. If you want to make a fresh backup, turn the Cloud Backup toggle on again, and select Continue or Change account to sign in to the correct backup account.

See also 

Restore account credentials

How to sign out from Authenticator

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