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How to Restore an Accidentally Deleted Account from Microsoft Authenticator
Question details
The user accidentally deleted a third-party account (such as Lufthansa) from Microsoft Authenticator, and standard restoration methods failed, leaving them unable to complete sign-in verification.
- Product
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to recover a deleted two-factor authentication (2FA) account to regain access to a third-party service.
- Observed behavior
- The account was removed from the authenticator app, cloud backup restoration failed, and the user is locked out of the service requiring MFA verification.
Verify if you have alternative sign-in methods set up for the affected account, such as SMS, email verification, or backup recovery codes saved elsewhere.
Contact the Service Provider to Reset MFA
If standard app restoration fails, the most reliable solution is to have the specific service provider (e.g., Lufthansa) reset your multi-factor authentication configuration.
Third-party accounts often link their MFA tokens directly to the device for security reasons. When an account is deleted and cloud restore fails, the connection is broken and cannot be fixed from within the Authenticator app alone.
Navigate to the official support page, IT helpdesk, or customer service portal of the organization that manages the account (e.g., Lufthansa).
Explain that you accidentally deleted your Microsoft Authenticator account and request them to revoke or reset your current MFA setup.
Once the provider resets your authentication, log in to the service using your standard password and follow the on-screen prompts to scan a new QR code into Microsoft Authenticator.
Attempt Cloud Backup Recovery
Use this method to retrieve your accounts if you previously enabled cloud backup in Microsoft Authenticator.
Consult Microsoft Authenticator Specialists
Seek advanced troubleshooting assistance directly from Microsoft if you encounter persistent app glitches.
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- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a deleted Microsoft Authenticator account without a backup?
No. If you did not enable cloud backup before deleting the account, the authentication tokens are permanently lost. You must contact the specific service provider to reset your MFA settings.
Why did my Microsoft Authenticator cloud restore fail?
Restoration typically fails if the backup was overwritten, if you are logged into the wrong Microsoft recovery account, or if a specific third-party token requires manual re-verification for security compliance.
How do I prevent losing my accounts in Microsoft Authenticator in the future?
Open the Authenticator app, navigate to Settings, and toggle on 'Cloud backup' (iOS) or 'Auto backup' (Android). Additionally, always save the backup recovery codes provided by third-party services during your initial MFA setup.
