Lost Device and Authenticator App - unable to use other method - Microsoft Q&A (2024)

FAQs

Lost Device and Authenticator App - unable to use other method - Microsoft Q&A? ›

Since you lost your device with the Authenticator App, you can try unregistering your old device, or if you have other admins within your tenant, you can have them require you to re-register for MFA, to see if that resolves your issue.

If you have access to an alternative email address or phone number that is associated with your Microsoft account, use that to receive a verification code and reset your password. 3. If you're unable to reset your password, you may need to create a new Microsoft account and transfer your data to the new account.

Go to Security settings and sign in with your Microsoft account. Under the Two-step verification section, choose Set up two-step verification to turn it on, or choose Turn off two-step verification to turn it off.

If you've lost access to your primary phone, you can verify it's you with: Another phone signed in to your Google Account. Another phone number you've added in the 2-Step Verification section of your Google Account. A backup code you previously saved.

To generate a new QR code, click Add sign-in method and select Authenticator app from the list of options. You'll then be told that you need to install the app, which is fine because it's already on the device. Click Next to start the setup process and click Next again to see a new QR code for the app (Figure 2).

Using an authenticator app for MFA. An authenticator app runs on your smartphone or tablet, and you don't need internet access or cell phone service to use it for MFA. You do need internet to set it up, though.

Another social engineering technique that is becoming popular is known as “consent phishing”. This is where hackers present what looks like a legitimate OAuth login page to the user. The hacker will request the level of access they need, and if access is granted, they can bypass MFA verification.

How to bypass Microsoft account without password? ›

In the Command Prompt window, type net user username “” and press Enter. Replace username with your actual Windows account name. This will reset your Windows 10 password to blank. Close the Command Prompt window and click Sign in on the login screen to log in to Windows 10 without a password.

The authenticator app asks for a verification code as a test. From the Microsoft Authenticator app, scroll down to your work or school account, copy and paste the 6-digit code from the app into the Step 2: Enter the verification code from the mobile app box on your computer, and then select Verify.

If you didn't save your backup codes, and you've lost the phone that you use for 2-factor authentication – try calling your phone network to transfer your old number over to a new phone. You'll need a new SIM card for that, and it could take a day or two for it to activate.

If your camera is unable to capture the QR code, you can manually add your account information to the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-factor verification. This works for work or school accounts and non-Microsoft accounts.

Sign in to your Microsoft Account Additional security options. Under Password-free account, select Turn on. Follow the prompts to verify your account. Approve the request sent to your Microsoft Authenticator app.

You can restore from backup (assuming there was one) but make sure no accounts have been added to the newly install app. Then sign on with recovery account to do the restore.

There is a similar process for Android. Make sure the authenticator is installed on the new device. On the new device in the startup, it prompts for restoring. Sign in to the recovery account, and the authenticator accounts should appear.