I need the authenticator app

To get out of the “endless Authenticator loop,” another verification method or an admin reset is required. The steps depend on what recovery options were set up and what your college allows.

1. Try “Sign in another way”
   • Go to the usual sign-in page for your college account.
   • Enter your school email and password.
   • When it asks for the Authenticator approval or code, look for a “Sign in another way” link.
   • If available, choose another method you previously set up (SMS, call, backup email, or office phone) and complete sign-in.
   • Once signed in, go to your Security info page and add a new method (for example, SMS or a second Authenticator registration) so you’re not locked to one device next time.
   If you don’t see “Sign in another way”, it usually means no backup methods are configured and only the Authenticator is allowed.
2. If you have no other verification method
   • For a work or school account, when you don’t have your mobile device and no alternative method is configured, the only option is to contact your organization’s IT help desk so they can clear or reset your MFA settings.
   • After they clear your MFA, the next time you sign in you’ll be prompted to set up MFA again on your newly reset phone.
3. If you’re blocked due to too many attempts
   • If you’ve tried many times and now aren’t getting codes or options, you may be temporarily blocked due to unusual activity.
   • Wait for the block to clear and avoid repeated attempts, then try again or contact your college IT support directly.

Given this is a college (education) account and the Authenticator is the only method, the practical fix is:

• Contact your campus IT/help desk (often called “Service Desk” or “IT Support”).
• Tell them you factory reset your phone and lost access to Microsoft Authenticator, and that you can’t sign in because Authenticator is the only MFA method.
• Ask them to reset/clear your MFA methods for your account so you can re-register the Authenticator app on your new phone.

Once IT clears MFA, sign in again, set up Authenticator on the new phone, and add at least one backup method (SMS, phone call, or alternate email) to avoid this loop in the future.

References:

• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Can't sign in to the Outlook mobile app
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A
• I have a Micrsoft business account and I am the admin and the only user registered under this account. I can't log in because i have replaced my phone and the authenticator doesn't work. - Microsoft Q&A