Microsoft plans Google One backup for Authenticator on Android
Starting January 2027, Android users must enable Microsoft Authenticator in Google One backup instead of using a Microsoft personal account to enable backup, Microsoft says.
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Microsoft plans to move Authenticator backup on Android to Google One backup, changing how users save eligible one-time sign-in codes for recovery on another device. Its support notice says the change starts in January 2027.
The currently documented process uses the app’s Settings: users turn on Cloud Backup and select a Microsoft personal account to store the backup. Under the announced change, users must instead enable Microsoft Authenticator in Google One backup. The change was reported by 9to5Google.
What users can restore
Microsoft says eligible one-time password codes for personal Microsoft accounts and third-party accounts are backed up if they refresh every 30 seconds. Those codes are available after restoration.
Work or school credentials are not backed up: only the account name is saved, and users must sign in and register the account again on the new device. For Microsoft personal accounts using passwordless sign-in, only the account name is saved; users must sign in again after restoration.
Backup and restoration remain limited to the same device type. For example, a backup made on iOS cannot be restored on Android.
Requirements and rollout
A Microsoft Message Center notice says the new backup and restore experience on Android requires both Google One backup and screen lock to be enabled. It supports Authenticator installed in an Android personal profile, but not in a work profile.
The Microsoft notices do not specify what will happen to existing Microsoft-account backups or whether the new Authenticator backup requires a paid Google One plan. The Message Center notice schedules the improved experience to begin rolling out in mid-January 2027 and expects it to finish in the same period.
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Sources
- support.microsoft.comBack up one-time password codes in Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
- 9to5GoogleMicrosoft Authenticator is ditching its own password backup for Google One
- mc.merill.netMC1528006 - Microsoft Authenticator: Improved backup and restore experience for Android | Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive