How to use the Microsoft Authenticator app
With this free app, you can sign in to your personal or work/school Microsoft account without using a password. You’ll use a fingerprint, face recognition, or a PIN for security.
Note: As of March 2024, Microsoft will no longer support Authenticator App versions greater than one year old. If your application has not been updated in over one year, after March 2024 your app may still continue to operate without issue, but Microsoft will no longer continue maintenance or support of those app versions. By continuing to use an older application version, your app is susceptible to malfunction and may cause issues completing authentications. Get the latest version.
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The authenticator app is a secure and convenient way to prove who you are.
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You can use the Authenticator app as a way to sign in if you forget your password.
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You can use the app to back up and restore all your other account credentials.
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You can also use the Microsoft Authenticator to sign in to your non-Microsoft accounts.
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Download & install the Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device.
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Sign in to your account security dashboard.
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Select Add a new way to sign in or verify and choose Use an app.
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If you’ve already installed the app, select Next to display a QR code appear on the screen.
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In the authenticator app, select [three dots] then + Add account.
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Choose the account type and select Scan a QR code.
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Scan the code shown on the screen in step 4.
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Select Finish on the PC to complete the setup.
The Microsoft Authenticator app backs up your account credentials and related app settings, such as the order of your accounts, to the cloud.
Important:
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You need a personal Microsoft account to act as your recovery account.
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iOS users must also have an iCloud account.
Turn on cloud backup:
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Select Settings > Backup and then turn on Cloud or iCloud backup.
To recover your information:
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Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and select Begin recovery.
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Sign in to your recovery account using the personal Microsoft account you used during the backup process. Your account credentials are recovered to the new device.
Learn more
Back up and recover account credentials in the Authenticator app