Important Update: Microsoft Authenticator Backups on iOS Now Rely on iCloud
Microsoft Authenticator is a crucial tool for enhancing the security of your online accounts, providing multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes and securely storing passwords. For iOS users, the ability to back up your saved accounts is a vital feature, ensuring you don’t lose access to critical services if you get a new device or need to reset your current one. A significant change is underway regarding how these backups are handled on the iOS platform.
Previously, Microsoft Authenticator for iOS utilized its own encrypted cloud backup service to store your valuable account data. This allowed users to restore their accounts independently of their device’s primary backup method.
However, Microsoft is transitioning the backup functionality for iOS to integrate more tightly with Apple’s ecosystem. The app is now shifting to utilize Apple’s iCloud Keychain and iCloud Backup for managing full account backups.
What This Means for You:
- New Backup Location: Your Microsoft Authenticator backups on iOS will now be stored within your iCloud account, rather than Microsoft’s dedicated cloud service.
- Restoration Process: Restoring your Authenticator accounts on a new iPhone or after restoring your device will now typically involve restoring from your iCloud Backup or ensuring data syncs via iCloud features.
- Integration with Apple Ecosystem: This change aims to streamline the backup process by aligning with the native backup methods used by millions of iPhone and iPad users.
Actionable Security Tips:
This shift underscores the importance of understanding where your critical security data is stored. Here’s what you should do:
- Ensure iCloud Backup is Active: Verify that iCloud Backup is enabled on your iOS device (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup).
- Check App Inclusion: Confirm that Microsoft Authenticator is included in the list of apps being backed up via iCloud. While often automatic, it’s wise to check.
- Understand the Restoration Flow: Familiarize yourself with how restoring from an iCloud Backup works, as this will be the primary method for getting your Authenticator accounts back on a new device.
- Maintain Strong Device Security: Your Authenticator data, now tied to iCloud, is ultimately linked to your device. Ensure you use a strong passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID to protect your iPhone or iPad.
The move to iCloud for Microsoft Authenticator backups on iOS is a notable change that simplifies integration with Apple’s platform. By ensuring your iCloud settings are correctly configured, you can maintain reliable backups and safeguard access to your essential online accounts secured with multi-factor authentication. Staying informed about such changes is key to maintaining robust digital security.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-authenticator-on-ios-moves-backups-fully-to-icloud/
