MFA & Verification Issues

How to Set Up Microsoft Authenticator on a New Phone for a University Account

Guest Writer Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to transfer and set up Microsoft Authenticator on a new mobile device to maintain access to their university account.

How to Set Up Microsoft Authenticator After Changing Phones for a University Account

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Switching to a new smartphone while university account access is currently tied to the Authenticator app on the old device.
Observed behavior: The user must re-register the Microsoft Authenticator app on the new phone, which requires either navigating the account security dashboard or requesting an IT administrator to reset the MFA.

Before you start

Do not delete the Microsoft Authenticator app or remove your account from your old phone until you have successfully set up and tested the sign-in process on your new device.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Authenticator via University Security Info Page

Use this method if you can still log into your university account using your old phone or an alternative verification method.

If you still have access to your old phone or another backup authentication method (like SMS or a backup email), you can manually add your new phone to your security profile.

Sign in to your security dashboard

Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to your university's security information page (often found at mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info).

Add a new sign-in method

Click the 'Add sign-in method' button and select 'Authenticator app' from the dropdown menu, then click 'Add'.

Scan the QR code

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone, tap the '+' icon to add a 'Work or school account', and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.

Remove the old device

Once the new phone is successfully added and tested, locate your old phone in the list of sign-in methods on the security info page and click 'Delete' to remove it.

Update Authenticator via University Security Info Page

Test Your New Setup: Always sign out and sign back into your university account to ensure the prompt successfully reaches your new phone before disposing of the old one.

Solution 2

Contact University IT Help Desk for MFA Reset

Follow this solution if your old phone is lost, wiped, or you are completely locked out by the MFA prompt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I already wiped my old phone before transferring the Authenticator?

If your old phone is already wiped and you have no backup sign-in methods, you will be locked out of the authentication prompt. You must contact your university IT help desk directly to clear your old MFA settings.

Can I use multiple phones for Microsoft Authenticator at the same time?

Yes, you can register multiple devices. Go to your account's security info page, click 'Add sign-in method', select 'Authenticator app', and scan the new QR code with your secondary device.

Why is my new phone not receiving MFA push notifications?

Ensure that the Microsoft Authenticator app has notification permissions enabled in your phone's OS settings. Additionally, verify that the new device was properly registered in your university account's security info page and not just restored from a generic phone backup.

How can I back up my Microsoft Authenticator accounts to prevent future lockouts?

Open the Authenticator app on your current phone, navigate to Settings, and turn on 'Cloud Backup' (for iOS) or 'Cloud Sync' (for Android) to tie your credentials to your personal Microsoft account for easier recovery.

Login & Account Issues