How to remove a Microsoft account from the Authenticator app on an old phone?

To remove a Microsoft account from the Authenticator app on your old phone, you need to delete the account from the app itself. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your old phone.
2. Locate the account you want to remove.
3. Select the account to view its details.
4. Look for an option to delete or remove the account (usually represented by a trash can icon) and confirm the deletion.

Since your old phone is no longer accessible for verification, you will need to regain access to your account through other means. Here are steps to do that:

1. Use SMS or Call for MFA: If you have set up SMS or call-based multifactor authentication (MFA), you can use your new phone to receive the verification code.
2. Contact IT Support: If you are unable to access your account, contact your IT support team for assistance. They can help you reset your MFA settings or provide alternative verification methods.
3. Re-register MFA: If you are the administrator or can contact one, they can set the requirement for re-registering MFA, allowing you to set it up again on your new device.

Make sure to follow the necessary steps to set up MFA on your new phone once you regain access to your account.

Hi Hamza,

Thank you for sharing your question. I get how annoying it is to lose your account access after switching phones, especially when those verification codes are still going to your old device! This usually happens cause the Microsoft Authenticator app on your old phone was set up as a trusted way to verify it was you. Lest sort this together.

To fix this, we got to remove your old phone from your account's security stuff and get your new phone set up for verification. Since you can't get on your old phone, you'll have to do this through your Microsoft account security page. Just sign in to My Sign-Ins using another way to verify, like text, email, or those backup codes. Once you're in, find the Microsoft Authenticator entries or your old phone and hit Delete. Then, just download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone and add your account by scanning the QR code or typing in the setup key.

May I also ask if you are using a personal or work account?

I hope this answer is helpful, if you have any questions, feel free to reply.

Best Regards,

Noel

Hi Noel, first of all, thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, even though I was able to access my Microsoft account (https://account.microsoft.com/), I cannot find the “Microsoft Authenticator entries.” Could you please give me more details? I am using a personal account.

Hi Hamza,

Thank you for clarifying that you’re using a personal Microsoft account and can sign in at account.microsoft.com. I understand it’s confusing when you don’t see “Microsoft Authenticator entries” there. This happens because the Authenticator app itself doesn’t show up in your account dashboard it’s managed under Security Info.

For personal accounts, here’s what you need to do.

Go to My Sign-Ins and sign in.

Under Security Info, look for entries like Microsoft Authenticator – notification or Authenticator app.

If you see them, select Delete next to each entry tied to your old phone.

After removing them, install Microsoft Authenticator on your new phone and add your account by scanning the QR code provided during setup.

 If you don’t see any Authenticator entries, it means your account is still enforcing MFA but only through the old device. In that case:

 Use an alternative method (SMS or email) if available during sign-in.

If no backup options exist, you’ll need to reset MFA. For personal accounts, contact Microsoft Support and request an MFA reset. They’ll verify your identity and help you regain access.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Noel

Thank you again Noel for your help , but i cannot not log in my Sign-ins because it is not a work/school email.
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