MFA & Verification Issues

Fix Microsoft Authenticator Generating 8-Digit Codes Instead of 6-Digit Codes

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user's Microsoft Authenticator app is generating an 8-digit verification code, but their school sign-in system only accepts a 6-digit code, preventing them from logging in.

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Signing into a school or organization account after switching to a new mobile phone.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft Authenticator app displays an 8-digit code instead of the expected 6-digit code required by the school's authentication portal.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your school or organization's official MFA enrollment instructions and a stable internet connection on your new phone.

Solution 1Recommended

Sync Device Time and Re-add the Account

Correcting your phone's time synchronization and setting up the account fresh usually resolves verification code format mismatches.

Authentication tokens rely heavily on accurate time settings and proper account provisioning. Changing phones often disrupts this synchronization.

Set time to automatic

Open your phone's Settings app, navigate to the Date & Time settings, and enable the option to set the time and date automatically (e.g., 'Set automatically' or 'Use network-provided time').

Remove the existing account

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, tap on your school account, and select the option to remove or delete the account from the app.

Re-add the school account

Tap the '+' icon or 'Add account' in Microsoft Authenticator. Choose 'Work or school account' and follow the specific enrollment instructions provided by your school's IT department to scan the new QR code.

Administrator Intervention: If the app still generates an 8-digit code after re-adding the account, the code length is being strictly controlled by the organization's authentication settings. You must contact your school's IT administrator to reset your MFA configuration.

Solution 2

Contact IT Support or Microsoft Q&A

If local troubleshooting fails, the issue is tied to the organization's backend Azure Active Directory configuration and requires external support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft Authenticator show 8 digits instead of 6?

This typically happens if the account was misconfigured during setup or if the organization's Azure Active Directory security defaults recently changed. It is common after switching devices if the account isn't properly migrated using the official enrollment process.

Can I manually change the verification code length in the Authenticator app?

No, the code length (whether 6 or 8 digits) is determined by the server-side configuration of the service you are trying to access. You cannot manually switch between code lengths within the app's settings.

Will changing my phone always affect my Microsoft Authenticator codes?

Yes, for security reasons, authentication tokens are bound to the specific hardware. When you get a new phone, you must remove the old device from your security settings and re-register the new phone to generate the correct, synchronized codes.

Login & Account Issues