Microsoft Authenticator app

Microsoft Authenticator provides another level of security for Microsoft Entra work or school accounts or Microsoft accounts. It is available for Android and iOS. With the Microsoft Authenticator app, users can authenticate without a password during login. They can also use it as an authentication option during self-service Password reset (SSPR) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) events.

Authenticator features

Microsoft Authenticator supports keys using notifications and verification codes, passwordless login, and MFA.

Users can log in with a password in the Authenticator app and complete anti-phishing authentication with their biometric  login or device PIN.

Users can set Authenticator notifications and log in using Authenticator instead of a username and password.

Users can receive an MFA request on their mobile device and approve or deny a login attempt via their phone.

They can also use the OATH verification code in the Authenticator app and enter it in the login screen.

Function introduction

1. Code generation:

Act as a code generator for any other account that supports the validator application.

2. Double verification:

Standard verification methods, one of the factors is your password. After logging in with your username and password, you can approve the notification or enter the verification code provided.

3. Mobile login:

The two-factor authentication version lets you log in without a password and use your username and your mobile device and fingerprint, face or pin.

How do I back up and restore account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator

1. Enable cloud backup for iOS devices

On your iOS device, select Settings, select Backup, and then enable iCloud Backup. Account credentials are backed up to the iCloud account.

2. Enable cloud backup for Android devices

On your Android device, select Settings, select Backup, and then enable cloud backup. Account credentials are backed up to a cloud account.

Restore account credentials on the new device

Account credentials can be recovered from a cloud account, but you must first ensure that the account being recovered does not exist in the Authenticator app. For example, if you want to restore a personal Microsoft account, you must ensure that the personal Microsoft account is not set up in the validator application. This check is important so we can ensure that we do not mistakenly overwrite or erase existing accounts.

3. Restore the information

On your mobile device, open the Authenticator app and select "Start Recovery."

Log in to the recovery account using the personal Microsoft account you used during the backup. Account credentials will be restored to the new device.

After the recovery is complete, you may notice that the personal Microsoft account verification code in the Authenticator app differs between old and new phones. The code is different because each device has its own unique credentials, but both are valid and work when logged in with their respective phones.

4. Provide more verification for personal accounts

In the Account screen of the Authenticator app, tap the account you want to recover to open a full-screen view of your account.

Click on the tile of the account you want to restore, then click on that option to log in to restore. Enter a password, then confirm an email address or phone number as other verification.

5. Provide more verification for work or school accounts

In the Account screen of the Authenticator app, tap the account you want to recover to open a full-screen view of your account.

In the full-screen view, click on the option to scan the QR code for full recovery.

The above is how to back up and restore account credentials in Microsoft Authenticator, I hope to help you.

Authenticator advantage

1, simple: through the QR code, "otpauth://" URL or manual input for simple Settings.

2, security: All data is stored in encrypted form on the iOS key chain.

3, compatible: Fully support RFC 4226 and 6238 standard time-based and counter based one-time passwords.

4, offline: The app will never connect to the Internet and your key will never leave your device.