MFA & Verification Issues

How to Sign In to Microsoft Account After Losing Authenticator Device

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user has lost the mobile device containing their Microsoft Authenticator app and needs to regain access to their Microsoft developer or work account.

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to a Microsoft developer or work account without access to the primary two-factor authentication (2FA) device.
Observed behavior: Access to the account is blocked because the required authentication prompts sent to the lost device cannot be approved.

Before you start

Check your desktop browser or other devices to see if you are already actively signed into your Microsoft account, as an existing session is the easiest way to update your security settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Security Info Using an Active Session

If you are still logged into your Microsoft account on another device or browser, you can easily remove the lost device and register a new one.

This method requires that you have a device or browser where you previously checked 'Keep me signed in' and the session is still active.

Access Security Info

Navigate to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info in the web browser where you are currently signed in.

Remove the Old Authenticator

Locate the Microsoft Authenticator entry linked to your lost device in the list of sign-in methods, and select 'Delete' or 'Remove'.

Add a New Sign-in Method

Click on 'Add sign-in method', select 'Authenticator app' from the dropdown, and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your new phone.

Tip: Consider adding an alternative sign-in method, such as a phone number for SMS codes, to prevent future lockouts if you lose your authenticator again.

Solution 2

Request Help on the Microsoft Q&A Forum

If you have no active sessions and are completely locked out of a developer or personal account, you will need to seek official support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Hassle-Free Office Suite? Try WPS Office

Dealing with account lockouts and complex subscription management can be frustrating. If you need a reliable suite for your documents without restrictive online authentication barriers, WPS Office is an excellent, free alternative.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick installation wizard.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files with full compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.No mandatory complex account authentications to edit your offline files.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on older and newer devices alike.Includes built-in PDF editing and AI tools to boost your productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my work or school account is locked due to a lost Authenticator?

For organization-managed accounts, you cannot usually reset the MFA yourself if you are locked out. You must contact your company or school's IT administrator and ask them to reset your multi-factor authentication methods.

Can I recover my Authenticator accounts if I get a new phone?

Yes, but only if you had previously enabled the Cloud Backup feature on your old device. Otherwise, you must manually re-add each account using their respective recovery codes or alternative sign-in methods.

Is there a way to bypass Microsoft Authenticator if I know my password?

If you set up an alternative verification method (like an SMS phone number or a secondary email) prior to losing your device, you can click 'Sign in another way' on the login screen to receive a verification code there instead.

Login & Account Issues