Microsoft Authenticator makes signing in to your online accounts simple and secure with features like multi-factor authentication, password-free login, and password autofill. It also offers extra tools for managing your personal, work, or school Microsoft accounts.
Getting Started with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection to your account. Once it’s enabled, after entering your password during login, you’ll need to verify your identity through an additional step. You can either approve a notification sent to your Microsoft Authenticator app or input a one-time password (OTP) generated by the app. These OTP codes refresh every 30 seconds, ensuring that each time-based password (TOTP) is unique and doesn’t need to be memorized. Additionally, the OTPs work offline and won’t drain your battery. The app also supports adding multiple accounts, including non-Microsoft ones like Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Google, LinkedIn, GitHub, and more.
Getting Started with Passwordless Sign-In
You can log into your Microsoft account without a password by using your phone. Simply enter your username and approve the notification sent to your device. For added security, use your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN as the second step in this two-factor authentication (2FA) process. Once you’ve signed in using 2FA, you’ll have seamless access to all your Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and more.
Getting Started with Autofill
The Microsoft Authenticator app can simplify your login process by autofilling passwords for you. To get started, sign in to the Passwords tab within the app using your personal Microsoft account, which syncs your passwords, including those saved in Microsoft Edge. Set Microsoft Authenticator as your default autofill provider, and it will automatically fill in passwords on the apps and websites you visit on your mobile device. Your passwords are secured with multi-factor authentication, requiring your fingerprint, face ID, or PIN for access. You can also import passwords from Google Chrome and other password managers to make the process even easier.
Microsoft Personal, Work, or School Accounts
Your workplace or school may require you to use the Microsoft Authenticator app to access certain organizational resources. To do this, you’ll need to register your device with your organization through the app and add your work or school account. Microsoft Authenticator supports certificate-based authentication by issuing a certificate to your device, which informs your organization that your sign-in is from a trusted device. This allows you to securely and effortlessly access additional Microsoft apps and services without needing to log in each time.
