Microsoft Authenticator App (M.F.A)

Introduction

Learn about keeping your account secure including adding alternate contact methods to help your recover your account if you forget it or you believe it was hacked.

The Microsoft Authenticator app helps you sign in to your accounts when you're using two-factor verification. Two-factor verification helps you to use your accounts more securely because passwords can be forgotten, stolen, or compromised. Two-factor verification uses a second factor like your phone to make it harder for other people to break in to your account. You can use the Microsoft Authenticator app in multiple ways:

Two-factor verification. The standard verification method, where one of the factors is your password. After you sign in using your username and password, you can either approve a notification or enter a provided verification code.

Step 1: Get the app downloaded onto your phone

Scan the QR code with your Android or IOS mobile device.

Step 2: Use two-step verification for more security

Two-step verification helps protect you by making it more difficult for someone else to sign in to your Microsoft account. It uses two different forms of identity: your password, and a contact method (also known as security info). Even if someone else finds your password, they'll be stopped if they don't have access to your security info. This is also why it's important to use different passwords for all your accounts.

If you need more security, you can require a password along with your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. For a personal account, you can turn two-step verification on or off, and reset your password. You can also manage app passwords and change your settings. For a work or school account, your administrator will likely decide whether you'll use two-step verification, and then you'll complete the registration process and set it up.

Step 3: Use time-based, one-time passcodes

The Microsoft Authenticator app also supports the industry standard for time-based, one-time passcodes (also known as TOTP or OTP). Because of that, you can add any online account that also supports this standard to the Microsoft Authenticator app. This will help keep your other online accounts secure.

For instructions on how to add other online accounts, read Add your non-Microsoft accounts.

Step 4: Back up and recover account credentials in the Authenticator app

Select how you would like to get a verification code. A message will come through based on the method selected.

The recovery option requires the number to be associated with the account. This is why it is required as part of the new account creation.