MFA & Verification Issues

Fix Microsoft Authenticator Approval Requests Not Reaching Device

Partner Editor Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

User is not receiving Microsoft Authenticator approval requests on their Android device, locking them out of their Microsoft 365 work or school account.

How to Fix Microsoft Authenticator Approval Requests Not Reaching Your Device

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Trying to sign in to a Microsoft 365 work or school account using multi-factor authentication (MFA), but approval notifications fail to arrive on the registered device.
Observed behavior: MFA push notifications do not appear on the Android device, and reinstalling the Authenticator app does not restore access to the Microsoft 365 account.

Before you start

Verify that your Android device has an active internet connection and that background data or battery optimization settings are not restricting the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Solution 1Recommended

Ask Your IT Admin to Reset Your Authentication Method

For Microsoft 365 work or school accounts, the most effective way to regain access is to have your administrator clear your old device registrations so you can set up MFA again.

Reinstalling the app on your own will not restore the connection because the server still expects the unique token from your previous app installation. Your administrator must intervene to reset the requirement.

Identify your Microsoft 365 Administrator

Reach out to your company's IT helpdesk, technical support, or the person who issued your work or school email address.

Request an MFA Reset

Ask your administrator to log into the Microsoft Entra ID portal and navigate to your user profile to select 'Require re-register MFA'.

Set Up Authenticator Again

Once the administrator confirms the reset, sign into your Microsoft 365 account on a web browser. You will be prompted to register your security information. Follow the on-screen QR code process to link your Android device afresh.

Ask Your IT Admin to Reset Your Authentication Method

Cannot find your admin?: If you belong to a large organization, the administrator is typically the IT department. If you bought your subscription through a third-party reseller, they may act as your administrator.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support (For Sole Administrators)

If you are the only global administrator for the Microsoft 365 tenant and are locked out, you must contact Microsoft Data Protection to regain access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Microsoft Authenticator stop receiving approval requests?

This commonly occurs if you switch to a new phone, reset your current device, or if Android battery optimization puts the app to sleep. It breaks the secure token link between your phone and Microsoft 365 servers.

Will reinstalling the Authenticator app fix the issue?

No, simply reinstalling the app on a work or school account does not restore access. The IT administrator must first reset your MFA registration on the server side before the newly installed app can be linked.

Can I use an alternative method to sign in?

If you previously set up an alternative verification method, such as SMS or a secondary email, you can click 'Sign in another way' on the login screen. If you did not configure these backups, contacting your IT administrator is mandatory.

Login & Account Issues