What Happened
Microsoft is ending its native password backup option for the Microsoft Authenticator app on Android devices. According to a support page outlined by 9to5Google, the application will shift its backup operations to rely on Google One.
The Details and Timeline
Starting in January, the application will begin doing away with Microsoft Account backups for one-time password connections on Android. Beginning in January 2027, users will no longer utilize their personal Microsoft accounts to enable the backup feature. Instead, users must activate Microsoft Authenticator within the Google One backup settings on their mobile devices. The change arrives mere weeks away, according to reports.
The Background
Microsoft Authenticator functions as a two-factor authentication and one-time password application used for signing into various online accounts, storing details such as eligible Microsoft personal accounts and third-party platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Work or school account credentials are excluded from backups. While the shift on Android is a notable change, it follows an established pattern. As reported by 9to5Google, Microsoft Authenticator already depends on iCloud Backup for managing account and one-time password backups on iOS devices.