Where Does Microsoft Authenticator Store Accounts?
Microsoft Authenticator keeps accounts in private storage with optional cloud backup tied to a personal Microsoft account.
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Microsoft Authenticator stores codes and passwordless credentials in private app storage, with an optional cloud backup for personal Microsoft accounts. Work accounts often exclude themselves from that backup by policy.
Recovery hinges on that backup toggle. With it on, signing in restores personal accounts on a new phone. Without it, or for work accounts, each issuer must re-enroll you from scratch.
Where Microsoft Authenticator stores this, by platform
/data/data/com.azure.authenticator
Private storage with accounts and credentials. Cloud backup in settings covers personal accounts only. Device backups exclude the codes, so the cloud toggle is the real safety net.
/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/<guid>/Documents
Per install container path. iCloud backup restores the app but codes still need the cloud backup enabled beforehand. Check the backup toggle before switching phones.
Frequently asked questions
how do i move microsoft authenticator to a new phone
Enable cloud backup on the old phone, then sign in and restore on the new one. Work or school accounts usually need fresh QR enrollment with IT regardless.
does phone backup save my authenticator codes
No. Both Android and iCloud backups skip the code store. Only the in app cloud backup restores codes, and only for personal accounts.
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