How to Fix Microsoft Authenticator Not Working on iPhone

Worried about Microsoft Authenticator not working on iPhone?

Microsoft Authenticator is a famous Two-Factor authentication app that provides additional security to your online services.

So, it can get quite frustrating when you encounter issues with this app, such as not being able to generate codes or facing login difficulties.

The reasons behind the Microsoft Authenticator app not working are various, including an outdated app version, and minor glitches or bugs within your iPhone. 

If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, you will find multiple troubleshooting methods to help you resolve the issue.

So, let’s dive right into it!

1. Check Internet Connection.

Checking if you have a stable internet connection is necessary for Microsoft Authenticator to work properly. Although it does not require the internet to generate codes, you need a strong and secure network connection when setting up the app. Otherwise, it will not work.

So check your internet strength and ensure it’s stable and provides strong signals. This should fix the problem you’re facing. If not, read on to learn about other fixes. 

2. Relaunch the App. 

Sometimes, the app may encounter certain issues while running, leading to its malfunction. Therefore, to ensure there are no bugs or errors in any of the app processes, force-quit the app and relaunch it.

Here’s how to do it:

1. For newer iPhone models, Swipe up and pause in the middle of the screen to access the App Launcher. For older iPhone models, press the Home button twice to open it. 
2. After that, swipe left and right to locate the Microsoft Authenticator app preview. 

3. Now, swipe up from the app’s preview to force close it. 
4. Wait for a few seconds. 
5. Finally, launch the Microsoft Authenticator app from the home screen and see if it works. 
   
   

3. Restart Your Device. 

It may be possible that minor glitches occurring in your iPhone cause the Microsoft Authenticator to not work. Hence, restarting your device will give it a fresh restart, reloading all its features and eliminating any system bugs responsible for the issue.

To restart your Apple device, follow the steps below:

1. Press and hold the Power button until you see the power off slider on the screen. For newer iPhones, press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button and wait for the slider to appear. 

2. Next, drag the slider to the right to turn off your device. 
3. Wait for a while. 
4. Then, restart your iPhone by pressing the Power button and let it go once you see an Apple logo. This indicates that your device is restarting. 
5. Now, head over to the Microsoft Authenticator app and check to see if it works. 
   
   

4. Allow Notifications for Microsoft Authenticator App. 

If you have disabled notifications for the Microsoft Authenticator app, you will not receive any notifications for login approvals. So, ensure you have enabled notifications for this app to receive any requests, etc.

Follow the steps below to allow notifications for Microsoft Authenticator:

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone. 
2. Next, scroll down and select Authenticator. 

3. Tap on Notifications and turn the toggle on for Allow Notifications. 

This should eliminate the problem you’re facing. 

5. Set Date and Time Settings to Automatic. 

Traveling to different places usually messes up the date and time on your iPhone. If the date and time are not in sync with the network connection, the Microsoft Authenticator app will not work properly. So, you must set your iPhone’s date and time settings to automatic to ensure precise time synchronization.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to the Settings app from your iPhone. 
2. Tap on General. 
3. Locate and select Date & Time. 
4. Lastly, turn the toggle on for Set Automatically. 

Once done, launch the Microsoft Authenticator app, which should work fine now. 

6. Remove and Re-Add Your Account. 

If you can launch the app but are facing other issues, such as code not being generated, then try removing your account and adding it later on. Microsoft Authenticator saves all your information, so you can easily re-add your account without worrying about losing your data.

Follow the instructions below to remove and re-add your account:

1. Go to the Microsoft Authenticator app from your device. 
2. From the Authenticator tab, choose the account you wish to remove. 

3. Then, select the gear icon from the top-right corner of the screen and tap on Remove account. 
4. Tap on Remove account again from the prompt to confirm. 

5. Now, tap on the + icon from the top and follow the on-screen instructions to re-add your account. 

After you’re done, the Authenticator app not working should be fixed.

7. Disable Low Data Mode. 

If you’re using Mobile Data and have enabled Low Data mode, it may be the reason behind the Microsoft Authenticator app not working. This feature tries to minimize your data usage, blocking various apps from using the internet. So, to fix this issue, disable Low Data mode.

Perform the steps below to do it:

1. From Settings, select Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the Wi-Fi your device is connected to and turn the toggle off for Low Data Mode. 

Afterward, launch Microsoft Authenticator and use it without any hindrance. 

8. Update the Microsoft Authenticator App. 

If you’re using an outdated Microsoft Authenticator app version, it’s likely to cause many issues within the app, such as this one. So, to prevent this from happening, update the app to its latest available version. Doing so will eliminate any bugs in the previous version and bring along new features.

To update the app, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to the App Store from your iPhone and tap on the profile icon from the top-right. 
2. Scroll down and check if the app’s new version is available. 
3. If it is, tap on the Update button to install the latest version. 

This should resolve your issue in no time. 

9. Uninstall and Reinstall the App. 

If all the methods mentioned above fail to fix Microsoft Authenticator not working on iPhone, the last fix we have for you is to uninstall the app and install it again. This will give the app a fresh restart, eliminating any bugs or errors responsible for the issue. 

You can uninstall and reinstall the app in the following way:

1. Locate, press, and hold on to the Microsoft Authenticator app from your iPhone’s home screen. 
2. From the pop-up options, select Delete App and tap on Delete App from the confirmation prompt that appears afterward. 

3. Now, head over to the App Store and tap on the Search tab. 
4. Search for ‘Microsoft Authenticator’ and tap on the Get button next to it to reinstall the app. 

This brings our guide on how to fix Microsoft Authenticator not working on iPhone to an end. We hope you were able to work out the issue using our troubleshooting fixes and tips mentioned above. If you have any questions regarding this topic, ask us through the comment section, and we will gladly respond!

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