How to Resolve Microsoft Authenticator Push Notification Not Appearing on iPhone or Android

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Resolve Microsoft Authenticator Push Notification Not Appearing on iPhone or Android. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Microsoft Authenticator push notifications allow you to approve sign-ins to Microsoft 365 with a single tap on your iPhone or Android device. If these notifications stop appearing, you cannot complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) and may be locked out of your account. This guide walks you through the most common fixes to restore push notifications on your mobile device.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Ensure your iPhone or Android device has an active internet connection via mobile data or Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and confirm you are signed in with the same Microsoft account you are trying to access.
3. Force close the Authenticator app and reopen it.
4. Restart your smartphone.
5. Attempt the sign-in again on your computer and watch for the push notification.

Detailed Instructions

1. Check App Notification Settings

If notifications are disabled at the system level, Microsoft Authenticator cannot display push alerts.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Microsoft Authenticator.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Ensure Allow Notifications is switched on.
5. Confirm that Lock Screen, Notification Centre, and Banners are enabled.
6. Tap Sounds and ensure an alert tone is selected.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps or Apps & notifications (varies by manufacturer).
3. Locate and tap Microsoft Authenticator.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Ensure All "Microsoft Authenticator" notifications is switched on.
6. Check that notification categories such as Authenticator notifications are not set to Silent or Blocked.

2. Disable Battery Optimisation for Authenticator

Aggressive battery saving modes can prevent apps from receiving push notifications in the background.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Ensure Low Power Mode is turned off.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then Microsoft Authenticator.
3. Tap Battery.
4. Select Unrestricted or Don't optimise.

3. Verify Do Not Disturb and Focus Settings

Do Not Disturb or Focus modes can silence MFA push notifications.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Focus.
3. Check if Do Not Disturb, Sleep, or another Focus mode is active.
4. If active, tap the Focus mode and add Microsoft Authenticator under Apps in the Allowed Notifications section.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sound & vibration or Notifications.
3. Tap Do Not Disturb.
4. Ensure it is turned off, or add Microsoft Authenticator as an allowed app under Apps or Messages.

4. Confirm Network Connectivity

Push notifications require an active internet connection on your phone.

• Disable Wi-Fi and use mobile data, or vice versa, to test if one connection is failing.
• Turn on Airplane Mode for ten seconds, then turn it off again to reset network adapters.
• If you use a VPN on your phone, disconnect it temporarily, as some VPNs block push notification traffic.

5. Update or Reinstall Microsoft Authenticator

1. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Search for Microsoft Authenticator.
3. If an Update button is visible, tap it.
4. If the app is already up to date, uninstall it and reinstall it from the store.

6. Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings can cause authentication failures.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General, then Date & Time.
3. Enable Set Automatically.

On Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap System, then Date & time.
3. Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.

If none of these steps restore push notifications, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services support.

Still Having Issues?