Regenerate QR code to Readd Authenticator

ScottY 56

Hello,

I have a number of users who are stuck in an authenticator loop. They have somehow deleted the MS account out of their Authenticator app, or have a new phone where the old phone is unservicable and when trying to get a QR code on the web to set it up again, they are prompted with the authenticator code challenge; Which of course we dont have and cant get!!

How can I reset this situation and allow them to login to myaccount.microsoft.com to get the QR code to resetup in authenticator again?

My mind is boggling on this one please help :) :/

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Richard Grayling 45 Reputation points

2023-05-04T10:12:00.15+00:00

Dude, I can't even. We have MAC users with iPhones and it just breaks for no reason and just gets stuck up its own.... self.

Microsoft - how can you setup a new authenticator entry if you have to use authenticator to set it up - has nobody every questioned this?
Nicholas Phipps 25 Reputation points

2023-08-07T00:14:47.0166667+00:00

What is the point of a backup restore if it can't restore?

"Yes we've restored your auth backup for use in case of loss of old phone. but the backup restore won't complete unless you're logged in with the MFA you're trying to restore."

Less than useless.
Dave Patrick your reply is not helpful in the least.

You need to log in to https://aka.ms/mfasetup and add another authentication method.

Unfortunately that also requires MFA login.

The only answer here unless MS fix this, is that if you do not have an alternative method (like phone) you can not retrieve your account and must have an Admin reset your MFA acess.

If you are the admin... I really hope you have a Microsoft representitive that can get it reset for you.
Zbigniew Mazur 15 Reputation points

2023-08-18T05:54:29.1633333+00:00

Dude, It doesn't work. there is no 'choose Additional security verification' , in 'Security & Privacy page'.
Where is the QR Code?
Brendon Cronje 5 Reputation points

2023-09-15T13:07:08.2233333+00:00

This worked perfectly. Thanks!
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T* 55 Reputation points

2023-10-22T08:48:32.4366667+00:00
In October 2023 to restore MS Authenticator on a newly set up iPhone you need to:

Go to
https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info

Make sure "Security Info" is highlighted in menu on left side of page > choose "Add sign in method" button above the list of methods (phone, password etc).

Follow prompts:
Choose method > Authenticator App > Next > Next

A QR Code will be displayed. You can scan this with your Authenticator App and your account is restored on a new iPhone.
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JJ 0 Reputation points

2023-11-08T01:36:59.6466667+00:00

T* Best answer ever - after much wasted time spent googling trying to get around this issue, your response was so simple and quick. Go to the top of the class.... PS: it also helps to ask the right question when searching for help.
Mark D Moncino, MD 0 Reputation points

2023-12-09T10:44:52.36+00:00

OMG -- this is the FIRST useful bit of info I have seen

I have probably spent 3-4 hours of browsing and muck'en around, deleting and reinstalling MS authenticator and DELAYING when to return my old phone as that is the only way to access accounts in the endless "circle of authenticator" hell

now -- if ONLY I could figure out how to get the NEW app on the NEW phone, to present the 2-digit code vs the 6-digit codes ... but at least I can access the 12 accts that rely on MS authenticator

anxious as hell though about turning in my old phone
rajneesh kaura 6 Reputation points

2024-05-21T07:51:13.4333333+00:00

Unfortunately, I have lost my old mobile device, which had the Windows Authenticator installed. Now, when I try to log in to my developer account with the new authenticator, I encounter issues. I don't have any settings to configure the new authenticator on my mobile, and it prompts me for a code that I don't have.

Could you please guide me on how to reset and reconfigure the new authenticator on my new mobile device so that I can access the Intune Developer Portal?

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards,

I have tried to use other mbl but without Settings not able to configure MS Auth.
Wahid Mohammad 0 Reputation points

2024-09-22T19:10:56.4933333+00:00

I wonder why still people use microsoft products. I wish I didnt need to deal with microsoft products ever. I dont understand why their product is so convoluted. They are chasing for openAI stuffs but dont have a proper Identity management solution within themselves. I spent days to resolve problems, very bad solution design, loop within app meaning they didnt do proper state analysis in their solution. I have used many other ID solutions, but never seen anything worse the microsoft. Dont know why it is so hard problem for microsoft. They simply messed up with personal and work id. So many urls and login to do different things.

7 answers

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 79,101 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-04-08T21:01:52.8166667+00:00

MFA would be mostly useless, if you could add a trusted device without verification (only have username/password).

You should encourage your users to have an alternate MFA method besides the authenticator app.

If the user can not access their MFA device, the account can only be reset by the Account Administrator.
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terry leitch 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T17:26:51.1133333+00:00

Adding MS Authenticator to my account has been a disaster. It reset and went into recovery but now says I need to get QR code from an account I can't access to finish recovery. I have the password but no way to get past 2nd factor to get get code. 5th day on this. MS support basically says it's too high in authorization, takes your number, then never calls.

Asked all the AI bots and they pretty much all say "you can't get there from here".
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Regenerate QR code to Readd Authenticator

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