Starting in September, Microsoft will implement a new backup system for its Authenticator app on iOS, and with it comes an important change: you will no longer need to log in with a personal Microsoft account to save your TOTP codes and account names.
Until now, iPhone users who wanted to back up to Microsoft Authenticator had to log in with a personal Microsoft account, regardless of whether they were using the app for personal or work accounts.
This was not always ideal, especially in corporate environments where companies prefer to keep personal and professional data separate. With this update, Microsoft is looking to simplify things and better adapt to the needs of the business environment.
iCloud takes control of backup in Authenticator without the need for a Microsoft account
With the new system, Microsoft Authenticator on iOS will directly use your iCloud account to store backups, eliminating the need to log in with a Microsoft account. This greatly simplifies the process, especially for those who use the app on work devices.
And if your company uses managed Apple IDs on its corporate devices, don't worry: Authenticator will also be compatible with them, so you won't have to resort to a personal account to set up backup.
According to Microsoft, this new experience will begin rolling out to users starting in September 2025, with the rollout expected to be complete by early October. In addition, when the feature becomes available on your device, you will see a notification within the app explaining the change.
Read more: Microsoft Authenticator Will Stop Saving Our Passwords
Requirements for using the new backup feature in iCloud with Microsoft Authenticator
For this new backup feature to work properly, you will need to have iOS 16 or a newer version, with iCloud and iCloud Keychain enabled on your device. If you meet these requirements, the app will automatically save your account names and TOTP codes (the famous temporary codes) to iCloud. Then, when you set up a new iPhone with the same Apple account, all this information will be restored without you having to do anything extra.
According to Microsoft, this backup includes all the accounts you have in Authenticator: personal, work, educational, and even third-party accounts such as Amazon or Google. Everything is securely backed up through iCloud and iCloud Keychain.
However, the company clarifies that only TOTP codes and account names will be saved, not other credentials or passwords. If you prefer not to use this feature, you can easily disable it from the iCloud settings on your iPhone.
Microsoft also confirmed that this new feature will be enabled automatically, so you won't need to make any special settings or technical adjustments.
This change comes shortly after Microsoft's announcement that it will remove password management and autofill features from the Authenticator app, reinforcing its focus on this tool being solely for authentication.