Outlook/Entrda

Joe Ervin 0 Reputation points
2026-11-05T21:39:38.82+00:00

I already have the Microsoft Authenticator on my phone, and I've already logged into a new Outlook account. Microsoft 365 emails everything there. I am trying to add a new connection to my new Outlook email account, and it keeps asking me to set up a new Authenticator app not sure how to do this, or if I go ahead and do another business, but I've already got it set up on my phone, and I've already logged in. Just now, it shows me signed into the other account. It wanted me to install Authenticator on my app again; I already did this yesterday. I don't know if i go ahead and add it again or what

Moderator's note: Moved from Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For business | Other
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  1. Austin-H 8,810 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-06T00:13:47.3966667+00:00

    Hello Joe Ervin
    It sounds like you are trying to add a Microsoft 365 work or school account to the Microsoft Authenticator app, as personal Microsoft accounts generally do not require Authenticator registration during initial sign-in in the same way.

    You do not need to install Microsoft Authenticator again as the existing app can store multiple accounts. You can use the existing app on your phone to register your new Microsoft 365 account. However, having Authenticator installed and being signed in with one account does not automatically register your other accounts for MFA (multifactor authentication). Each account must be added separately.

    If you are setting up your account on a computer:

    -When prompted to set up Microsoft Authenticator during sign-in, continue with the setup until a QR code appears on your computer.

    -Open the existing Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone.

    -Tap the + icon and select Work or school account.

    -Select Scan QR code and scan the QR code displayed on your computer.

    -Follow the remaining instructions to complete the registration and test the sign-in.

    If you are setting up everything on the same phone:

    There may be an option to pair your account to the app by clicking the link shown on the setup page (as illustrated in the screenshot below). This should automatically add your new account to the existing Microsoft Authenticator app without requiring you to scan a QR code. Authenticator will then prompt you for a verification code to complete the sign-in process.
    User's image

    I hope this helps.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-05T21:40:17.8933333+00:00

    Keep the existing Microsoft Authenticator app installed, but add the new Outlook/Microsoft Entra account to it as a separate account—the setup message does not mean that you must install another copy of the app.

    Add the new account

    Microsoft Authenticator can hold multiple personal and work/school accounts. Each account needs its own registration.^1^

    1. On a computer, sign in to the Security info page using the new Outlook account: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
    2. Select Add sign-in method.
    3. Choose Microsoft Authenticator, select Add, and then select Next.
      • If the page tells you to install Authenticator, continue by selecting Next because it is already installed.
    4. When the QR code appears, leave it displayed.
    5. On your phone, open Microsoft Authenticator.
    6. Tap + or Add account.
    7. Select Work or school account → Scan a QR code.
    8. Scan the QR code displayed on the computer and approve the test notification.

    Afterward, Authenticator should show both accounts. Check the email address shown under each entry before approving a sign-in request.

    If this is a personal Microsoft account

    If the new address is a personal Outlook.com/Hotmail account rather than an organization-managed Microsoft 365 account:

    1. Sign in to https://account.microsoft.com/security with that account.
    2. Select Manage how I sign in.
    3. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify → Use an app.
    4. In Authenticator, tap + → Personal account → Scan a QR code.^1^

    If the new account is already listed but setup keeps looping

    Do not repeatedly add duplicate entries. For a work or school account, ask the Microsoft 365 administrator to check the account in the Microsoft Entra admin center and, if necessary:

    1. Open Users → All users → select your account.
    2. Open Authentication methods.
    3. Select Require re-register multifactor authentication.
    4. Start the Authenticator registration again.

    Re-registration removes the existing MFA registration, so use this only when the existing registration is broken or the prompt cannot be completed.^2^

    References

    1. Work/school
    2. I have entered a loop with the Authenticator app - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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