MFA & Verification Issues

How to Regain Microsoft 365 Access After Deleting Authenticator App

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

A user needs to regain access to a Microsoft 365 business account after the associated Microsoft Authenticator app was deleted by a former employee.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to log into a Microsoft 365 account where the password is known, but the system still requires a code from a deleted Authenticator app.
Observed behavior: The login process is blocked at the multi-factor authentication (MFA) step because the app generating the codes has been deleted, and changing the password does not remove the MFA prompt.

Before you start

Verify if your organization has another active Microsoft 365 Global Administrator account, as they have the necessary permissions to reset your authentication methods quickly.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset Authentication Method via Another Administrator

This is the fastest method and should be used if your organization has more than one administrator who can still access the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Changing the password or reactivating an account does not remove old Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requirements. A registered Authenticator method must be explicitly reset by an authorized administrator.

Log in to the Admin Center

Have the alternate administrator sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using their credentials.

Navigate to Active Users

Click on 'Users' in the left-hand navigation menu and select 'Active users'.

Manage Authentication Methods

Select the affected user's account, click on 'Manage multi-factor authentication', and choose the option to 'Require re-register MFA'. This forces the user to set up a new Authenticator app on their next login.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Data Protection Team

If the locked account is the only administrator for the business, you cannot reset it yourself and must contact Microsoft directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bypass the Microsoft Authenticator app by simply changing my password?

No. Changing your password only updates your login credentials. It does not remove or reset the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requirement tied to the deleted app.

What happens if the only admin account is locked out of Microsoft 365?

If the sole global administrator is locked out, you cannot bypass or reset the MFA yourself. You must contact Microsoft Business Support and work with their Data Protection team to verify your identity and regain access.

Can I recover the deleted Microsoft Authenticator app data on a new phone?

If you previously enabled cloud backup in the Microsoft Authenticator app on the old device, you can recover your credentials on a new device by logging into your recovery account. If no backup was made, the accounts must be re-registered by an administrator.

Login & Account Issues