MFA & Verification Issues

How to Access SharePoint After Changing Phones Without Authenticator Codes

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to access SharePoint because they switched to a new Android phone and lost access to the Microsoft Authenticator app configured on their old device.

Product: SharePoint / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Attempting to log into a SharePoint account on a new device without having transferred the Microsoft Authenticator profiles from the previous smartphone.
Observed behavior: The login process requires a Microsoft Authenticator code or notification to complete the sign-in, which the user cannot provide, resulting in a login loop or failure.

Before you start

Check your login screen to see if a 'Sign in another way' link is available, which might allow you to authenticate using an alternative method like SMS or email if you previously set them up.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator to Reset MFA

Because SharePoint is tied to an organizational account, the most effective solution is to have your IT administrator reset your multifactor authentication settings.

When you change phones without backing up your Authenticator app, the security tokens remain on the old device. For organizational Microsoft 365 accounts, end-users usually cannot bypass this security measure on their own.

Identify your IT support contact

Reach out to your company's IT helpdesk or the Microsoft 365 administrator who manages user accounts and SharePoint access for your organization.

Request an MFA reset

Ask the administrator to navigate to the Microsoft Entra admin center and select the 'Require re-register MFA' option for your specific user account.

Set up Authenticator on the new phone

Once the administrator clears your old settings, log into SharePoint with your email and password. You will be prompted to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app fresh on your new Android phone using a QR code.

Admin Access Required: Only personnel with administrative privileges can reset MFA sessions for enterprise or educational accounts.

Solution 2

Consult the Microsoft Authenticator Q&A Forum

If you are an administrator yourself or need highly specific technical troubleshooting for the Authenticator app, Microsoft's dedicated Q&A forum is the best resource.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my Microsoft Authenticator accounts on a new Android phone?

Yes, but only if you enabled cloud backup on your old Android phone before losing access to it. If backed up, you can install the Authenticator app on your new phone, select 'Begin recovery', and sign in with your personal Microsoft account to restore your credentials.

Why is SharePoint forcing me to use Microsoft Authenticator?

SharePoint is typically part of a Microsoft 365 organizational environment. IT administrators enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) via the Authenticator app to secure company data from unauthorized access, even if someone knows your password.

Is there a way to log into SharePoint without the Authenticator app entirely?

Yes, if your organization's IT administrator has enabled alternative authentication methods. During the login process, click the 'Sign in another way' prompt to see if you can receive a verification code via SMS text message or an alternate email address.