MS Authenticator app not working after Android update

Question

MS Authenticator app not working after Android update

Marqia van der Walt 40

I have a Samsung S24+. The latest Android update was installed on 8 April after which I have been unable to use the MS Authenticator app. I did the basics (cleared cache, cleared data, then uninstalled/reinstalled) bit nothing worked. The app simply does not open on my phone anymore. I then tried using an old phone to recover the data but that has not worked, so I am no unable to access many of my acounts.

I've tried reporting the error to MS but no luck, so I'm hoping someone here could help with some suggested steps to get the app working on my phone.

Sean Belvin 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T20:12:45.0066667+00:00

I am having the same issue! I have tried the import but unfortunately it just doesn't show! A little frustrating! I tried a few ways to get access from old devices but unfortunately cannot get in! Any other advice?
John Lin 0 Reputation points

2026-04-22T11:31:51.9133333+00:00

Just to add a note, that this problem also applies to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with latest Android update.
Stephen Benson 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T15:52:14.21+00:00

Galaxy s26 ultra also having this problem. Last week I Uninstaller teams, authenticator, and company portal and reinstalled, set up authenticator and co.pany portal and it all worked. Today it went down again and the fix isn't working.

Answer accepted by question author

Kjell Ulefors 116

I experienced the same issue. For me it was solved by opening Microsoft Authenticator in Secure Folder.

I haven't selected Microsoft Authenticator to be installed in Samsung Secure Folder, but it was added to Secure Folder apps.

After launching Microsoft Authenticator from Samsung Secure Folder and pressing skip on sign in / import, I was able to launch the app from normal app drawer.

Hope it works for you too.

Marqia van der Walt 40 Reputation points

2026-04-14T14:18:18.7066667+00:00

Thank you so much for adding your comment! This did the trick. :)
Nes 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T02:20:02.06+00:00

Kjell, how did you open into Samsung Secure Folder? I can't figure out how to do that.
Hannah Lybarger 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T13:25:07.0133333+00:00

Just tried this and it seemed to have worked for now, fingers crossed! Thanks for the tip!
Josh M 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T13:34:57.0333333+00:00

This worked for me! Thanks a bunch!

One minor revision that would be helpful after I was a little frustrated when I got to the first step and it wasn't working correctly for the search term, because my Android OS was not showing the app.

Change step one to say Settings -> Apps -> Search for "System Webview" -> App Details In Store -> Uninstall Updates
Cristóbal Andrés Ordoñez Acuña 0 Reputation points

2026-04-24T19:39:35.39+00:00

Man, thank you so much!

3 additional answers

Your answer

Sean Belvin 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T20:12:45.0066667+00:00

I am having the same issue! I have tried the import but unfortunately it just doesn't show! A little frustrating! I tried a few ways to get access from old devices but unfortunately cannot get in! Any other advice?
John Lin 0 Reputation points

2026-04-22T11:31:51.9133333+00:00

Just to add a note, that this problem also applies to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with latest Android update.
Stephen Benson 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T15:52:14.21+00:00

Galaxy s26 ultra also having this problem. Last week I Uninstaller teams, authenticator, and company portal and reinstalled, set up authenticator and co.pany portal and it all worked. Today it went down again and the fix isn't working.
Marqia van der Walt 40 Reputation points

2026-04-14T14:18:18.7066667+00:00

Thank you so much for adding your comment! This did the trick. :)
Nes 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T02:20:02.06+00:00

Kjell, how did you open into Samsung Secure Folder? I can't figure out how to do that.
Hannah Lybarger 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T13:25:07.0133333+00:00

Just tried this and it seemed to have worked for now, fingers crossed! Thanks for the tip!
Josh M 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T13:34:57.0333333+00:00

This worked for me! Thanks a bunch!

One minor revision that would be helpful after I was a little frustrated when I got to the first step and it wasn't working correctly for the search term, because my Android OS was not showing the app.

Change step one to say Settings -> Apps -> Search for "System Webview" -> App Details In Store -> Uninstall Updates
Cristóbal Andrés Ordoñez Acuña 0 Reputation points

2026-04-24T19:39:35.39+00:00

Man, thank you so much!

Answer 1

Patrick DeLine 120

This issue was due to a WebView regression from the Samsung April 2026 security update.

It can be resolved by following these steps:

Settings -> Search for "Android System Webview" -> App Details In Store -> Remove Updates
Reboot
Settings -> Search for "Android System Webview" -> App Details In Store -> Update
- Note: If "Android System Webview" doesn't appear in the app list, go to:
  Settings -> Google -> All services -> System Services -> Select "Android System Webview"
1. Reboot
Launch Authenticator & log in.

Patrick DeLine 120 Reputation points

2026-04-17T19:00:42.5866667+00:00

Secure Folder works because it forces it to create a fresh Webview + keystore environment
Shawn Akins 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T16:44:58.8366667+00:00

This worked except contacts dont sync
Moshe Raab, PhD 241 Reputation points

2026-04-20T09:58:21.5666667+00:00

this worked for me
James Hsu 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T14:20:35.2633333+00:00

Wasted 20 minutes in the morning trying to figure this out and found this and it worked.
Moshe Raab, PhD 241 Reputation points

2026-04-21T05:20:50.8133333+00:00

i needed to do it again since the update was reinstalled
Glenn Dhooghe 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T07:29:42.4933333+00:00

Patrick, you're a lifesaver. This saved me a lot of research into the issue, and worked straight away.

After removing the updates from Webview, I wasn't able to find it in my apps any more, and thus couldn't update it - but the Authenticator app launched nonetheless.
Josh M 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T17:00:57.4433333+00:00

I had to follow these steps with Webview earlier this week and it worked. Authenticator is no longer opening again after ~3 days. What are we supposed to do to stop this issue from coming back once we fix it? That would be a crucial step to include in this process.

Answer 2

Yakov Gross 0

I had this issue as well on my Galaxy S24+ and I was able to fix this by going to the Google Play Store and updating everything.

My device has auto update on but guess that it was missing some critical updates which caused the issue

0 comments

Answer 3

Follow these steps in order, testing Microsoft Authenticator after each step:

Verify device basics

Ensure the phone is online; if using mobile data, switch to Wi‑Fi and vice versa.
Turn off Airplane mode.
Confirm the device date and time are set to automatic and correct, then restart the phone.

Update Authenticator and system components

Make sure Samsung S24+ is fully updated.
Open Google Play Store and update:
- Microsoft Authenticator (Microsoft does not support versions older than 12 months; enable App updates in Authenticator Settings).
- Google Play Services and Google Play Store.

Check battery and notification settings

In Authenticator Settings, turn off battery optimization for the app.
In Authenticator Settings > Notification Settings, ensure Show notifications is on.
In Android Settings, confirm the app is allowed to run in background and is not restricted by power-saving modes.

Check for security conflicts

Ensure other security apps (Microsoft Defender, Intune Company Portal, or OEM security tools) are updated.
If a VPN is active, disconnect it temporarily and try launching Authenticator again.
Make sure the device is not rooted; rooted devices can cause Authenticator to stop functioning for work/school accounts.

If the app still will not open

Since cache/data clear and reinstall did not help and the app does not start at all, this is beyond normal in‑app troubleshooting. At this point, recovery of access to accounts protected by Authenticator will require account-side changes:
- For personal Microsoft accounts: use the Reset your password flow and alternative security info (email/phone) to regain access and then reconfigure Authenticator on the new device.
- For work/school or tenant admin accounts where access is blocked by MFA and there is no other admin to reset MFA: contact Microsoft Support (Data Protection team) via the regional customer service phone numbers and request an MFA reset for the affected account/tenant, as described in the referenced Q&A answers.

When access is restored

Re-add accounts to Authenticator and enable cloud backup/recovery where available so that future device changes or OS updates do not lock out access.

If, after these steps, Authenticator still cannot be opened on the Samsung S24+, the remaining path is to work with Microsoft Support (and, for work/school accounts, the organization’s IT admin or Data Protection team) to reset MFA methods and re-establish access without relying on the broken app instance.

References: