Authenticator Stuck in Loop

Matthasaqq 331

My Authenticator recently stopped working properly. This happened after I switched to a new phone. iPhone 12 to iPhone 14.

When I try to log into my work email, it says I need to use Authenticator to authenticate. When Authenticator pops up…it also asks me to authenticate via Authenticator.

I’m assuming there’s some kind of app refresh or permission that needs to be unlocked.

I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled the app. And I’ve reset my phone. I’ve tried searching the forums, going through Chat, and even calling (which pointed me back to Chat…because MSFT doesn’t support calls??). Nada.

Can anyone help?

Steve A 75 Reputation points

2023-06-24T10:54:13.3966667+00:00

The microsoft authenticator app is the biggest joke and piece of junk software I have ever used. I had the same issue as above and tried every method possible to get my outlook/office 365 email reconfigured on my new phone. App kept going in circles repeatedly. The authentication app kept telling me to open the authentication app and enter the code even though I was ALREADY IN THE AUTHENTICATION APP! So stupid. Eventually, after multiple errors and cancelling out, the outlook app magically appeared to have been set up. What an awful experience.

I wish my organization would ditch office 365 once and for all.
Nitin Sud 10 Reputation points

2023-07-29T14:39:07.0366667+00:00

I'm having the same problem. Been using email on my phone for several months (since switching from Rackspace directly to Microsoft). Suddently it wants me to authenticate and go through some security verification process. I'm going in loops. There are multiple ways to "authenticate," I get multiple codes (a six digit code, a two digit code, and then another longer one), but in an endless loop. This is the most frustrating thing. I didn't even do anything different to cause the authentication thing to kick-in. What alternatives are reasonable alternatives to Microsoft?
Patricia Liddell 0 Reputation points

2023-08-11T02:35:36.85+00:00

Thank you so much. I've tried so many of the hints online and this was the first one to work.
Rose Petal 10 Reputation points

2023-08-23T02:18:27.2633333+00:00

This app is nothing more than a virus. It has now stopped me from working and I cannot access my accounts. Just waiting for MS to ask for $$ to fix. I'm not an IT person and just want to get on with my work.
Silke Tulpin 0 Reputation points

2023-10-21T20:42:38.92+00:00

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I dropped my phone yesterday and like that wasn't enough, I wasn't able to go in to my work mail, Smartschool and Teams on my back up phone. I'm happy my English and IT-talent is good enough to understand your explanation. It WORKS!
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Berges, James 0 Reputation points

2023-11-15T01:08:00.23+00:00

I am caught in the same loop, ridiculous, locked out of work email
Kim Ngo 10 Reputation points

2023-12-27T03:34:49.99+00:00

Hi! I had the same nightmare and was able to call the service center, any MS service number will do. The key is to ask for "AZURE" help when prompted to specify an MS product. This took me directly to a person who was able to assist
Anonymous

2024-06-20T11:16:27.5133333+00:00

Restarting my Phone worked for me
Sergo Kohal 0 Reputation points

2024-07-09T16:10:32.6+00:00

I changed my iphone and during iphone data transferr to new iphone i factory reset my old iphone. After that i was not able to use my main outlook account and mu authenticatio app was empty of accounts. I was not able to sign in without auth app, cause stupid microsoft recovery wants to use authenticatio app even if i dont have accounts in it. I tries million times all other ways and im not even going to describe what and how much i tried. Microsoft account recovery is stupiest and worse IT and security solution ever created. I have no access to my meil, where are my invoices and all important data. I truly dont ever recommend Microsoft. I will cancel my family membership, if this stupid MS does not help me. Somehow i managed to open ticket to solve this issue but it says 30 days. Omg 30 days. Back in mid age with microsoft

7 answers

Anonymous

2022-09-21T19:19:54.83+00:00

Ok, well hard to say what might have happened. You can try Sign in to your account but select the Sign in another way link (assumes one was setup) on the Two-factor verification page.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/common-problems-with-two-step-verification-for-a-work-or-school-account-63acbb9b-16a1-47b9-8619-6a865e8071a5

otherwise contact the account admins to reset your account's two factor.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
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Anonymous

2022-09-21T18:34:04.45+00:00

You can restore from backup (assuming there was one) but make sure no accounts have been added to the newly install app. Then sign on with recovery account to do the restore.

You can recover your account credentials from your cloud account, but you must first make sure that the account you're recovering doesn't exist in the Microsoft Authenticator app. For example, if you're recovering your personal Microsoft account, you must make sure you don't have a personal Microsoft account already set up in the authenticator app. This check is important so we can be sure we're not overwriting or erasing an existing account by mistake.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/back-up-and-recover-account-credentials-in-the-authenticator-app-bb939936-7a8d-4e88-bc43-49bc1a700a40

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Matthasaqq 331 Reputation points

2022-09-21T19:01:49.72+00:00

I tried restoring from backup. My work email shows up. And that the device is registered.

Anonymous

2022-09-21T19:03:43.847+00:00

tried restoring from backup

Just to be clear. Authenticator backup or phone backup?

Matthasaqq 331 Reputation points

2022-09-21T19:12:27.16+00:00

Authenticator.
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Authenticator Stuck in Loop

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