MC1528006 - Microsoft Authenticator: Improved backup and restore experience for Android
Microsoft 365 Message Center announcement MC1528006.
MS Message Center's Summary
Microsoft is updating the Authenticator app for Android with improved setup guidance and passkey support starting mid January 2027. The rollout runs through mid January 2027 globally and across government clouds. Users must enable Google One backup and screen lock to use the feature. Work and school accounts are excluded from backups, and functionality is limited to personal Android profiles. Administrators should review the changes and communicate the new setup steps to users where appropriate.
- Administrator impact
- No direct administrator action is required.
- End user impact
- Android users will see clearer setup guidance and passkey support when restoring their authenticator app on a new device.
- Importance
- 2/10: This is a feature update for Android users that requires no administrative configuration or intervention.
Microsoft Summary
Microsoft Authenticator for Android will improve backup and restore with clearer setup guidance and support for passkeys starting mid-January 2027. Users must enable Google One backup and screen lock. Work/school accounts aren’t backed up, and backup works only in the Android personal profile. No admin action needed.
- Message Center ID
- MC1528006
- Category
- stay Informed
- Severity
- normal
- Services
- Microsoft Entra
- Tags
- Feature update, User impact, Admin impact
- Published
- 2026-10-27
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
- Expires
- 2027-02-18
[What and why] We’re improving the backup and restore experience in Microsoft Authenticator for Android . When setting up Authenticator on a new device, users will receive guidance tailored to whether they still have access to their previous device. They will also receive guidance on using Authenticator passkeys for cross-device sign-in. This experience is already available on iOS. To use backup and restore on a new Android device, users must enable Google One backup and screen lock . [Rollout schedule] General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, and DoD): Beginning in mid-January 2027 and expected to complete in mid-January 2027 [Impact on your organization] Who is affected Users of Microsoft Authenticator on Android Platforms and services Microsoft Authenticator for Android What will happen When setting up Authenticator on a new Android device, users will see clearer guidance based on whether they still have access to their previous device. Users will receive guidance for using Authenticator passkeys for cross-device sign-in. Work or school accounts are not backed up. This is not changing. Backup will continue to support TOTP credentials for Microsoft personal accounts and third-party accounts. Users must enable Google One backup and screen lock to use this backup and restore experience. Backup and restore is supported only when Microsoft Authenticator is installed in the Android personal profile. It is not supported when Authenticator is installed in an Android work profile. [Action required and recommendations] No admin action is required. Organizations may choose to inform users about the updated restore experience on Android devices. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.