In September, Microsoft will introduce a new backup solution for its iOS Authenticator app that will eliminate the need to backup account names and TOTP secrets using a Microsoft personal account.
In the past, users of iOS devices who used the Microsoft Authenticator app for personal or business credentials had to log in with a personal Microsoft Account in order to activate backups.
In business settings, where companies frequently like to keep personal and company data separate, this caused issues.
The new backup method will no longer require the usage of a Microsoft account, but it will still keep the backups in the signed-in iCloud account. A managed Apple ID will be used in place of a personal account if the business utilizes one on its corporate devices.
Microsoft claims that this new feature will start to roll out in September and be completed by early October 2025. As seen below, users will receive a notification about the new experience on the app.
In-app warning about upcoming change
Source: Microsoft
According to Microsoft, customers with iCloud and iCloud Keychain activated on iOS 16.0 or later will be the only ones able to utilize this functionality. Once installed, when you use the same Apple account on different devices, account names and TOTP credentials (secrets) will be automatically restored from iCloud backups.
According to the Microsoft statement, "iCloud and iCloud Keychain will be used to securely backup account names for all accounts in the Authenticator app—including work or school accounts, Microsoft personal accounts, and non-Microsoft accounts (such Amazon, Google)".
The company emphasizes that customers can turn off the backup feature in their device's iCloud settings and that only TOTP secrets—not other credentials—will be saved up.
According to Microsoft, all users will automatically be able to access this capability without any admin intervention.
The feature follows Microsoft's recent statement that Authenticator's password management and autofill features would be discontinued.