I changed phones and am unable to log into my university account via the authenticator app

If you have changed phones and are unable to log into your university account via the Microsoft Authenticator app, you will need to set up the Authenticator app on your new device. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Install the Authenticator App: Make sure you have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed on your new phone. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Sign In to Your Account: Open the Authenticator app and select Add account. Choose Work or school account.
3. Use Temporary Access Pass: If your organization allows it, you may need to acquire a Temporary Access Pass from your university's IT admin to sign in.
4. Follow the Setup Instructions: After signing in, follow the instructions to configure the Authenticator app for your account. This may include enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) or setting up phone sign-in.
5. Complete MFA Requirements: If prompted, complete any MFA requirements using your old phone or other verification methods available to you.

If you encounter issues during this process, such as not receiving notifications or being unable to complete the setup, consider reaching out to your university's IT support for further assistance.

References:

• Migrate to a new iPhone for work
• Microsoft Authenticator issues

Thanks for sharing the details, Jehan! Try to use the Recovery Option Inside Microsoft Authenticator (Only works if you turned on cloud backup before)

Most people forget this exists.

Steps:

• Install Microsoft Authenticator on the new phone.
• Open it → tap Begin Recovery (or the account icon → “Recover accounts”).
• Sign in using your university email, not your personal Microsoft account.
• Restore the backup → your MFA codes should reappear.

If Backup was never enabled, this option will not appear — skip to the next fixes.

Log in Using “I don’t have my Authenticator anymore” on the Microsoft sign-in page

The Microsoft login page has an alternate pathway that most people don’t see.

Steps:

• Go to any Microsoft 365 login page (Outlook, Teams, portal.office.com).
• Enter your email.
• When it asks for the Authenticator code, click:

— "I can't use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now"

— “I lost my phone”

— “Use a different verification option”

If your account has phone number or SMS as a backup, you’ll be allowed in and can re-register Authenticator.

See if this helps. If you need further assistance just let me know.

Best regards,

Kimberly