I recently took over a small family-run business, and the IT person who worked there previously has all the multi-factor authentication codes stored on her Microsoft Authenticator app. I'm wondering if there's a way for her to transfer those TOTP codes to my Microsoft Authenticator, or will I need to redo the MFA setup for all the accounts—there are around 50—by scanning new QR codes with my phone?
3 Answers
According to Microsoft's documentation, you can't transfer work account tokens; they're bound to the original device. Looks like you’ll have to go through the tedious process of setting everything up anew. Good luck with that!
Are you really planning to repeat the same mess you just inherited? Transitioning to a better management setup would be wise. For security’s sake, consider using something like Bitwarden for your MFA instead of sticking everything on your phone!
Honestly, you might want to consider setting up a password vault that includes TOTP functionality. This way, the MFA codes aren’t tied to a single device, making it easier to share access if necessary. It's a smart move to keep your personal accounts separate from admin-related services!
Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks for confirming!