How to use the Microsoft Authenticator app

Sign in securely without a password

The Microsoft Authenticator app is available for Android and iOS.

You can use the app with a mobile phone or a tablet. Learn what it’s like to sign in and how you can backup and recover account credentials.


Use two-step verification for more security

If you need more security, you can require a password along with your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. This is called two-step verification. 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.


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.


What will your sign-in experience be?

Your sign-in experience differs depending on what you choose to use as your second factor: a phone call, an authentication app, or texts.


Sign in with a phone call

The following information describes the two-step verification experience with a call to your mobile or office phone.

  1. Sign in to an application or service such as Microsoft 365 using your username and password.
  2. Microsoft calls you.
  3. Answer the phone and press the # key.

Sign in with a text message

The following information describes the two-step verification experience with a text message to your mobile phone:

  1. Sign in to an application or service such as Microsoft 365 using your username and password.
  2. Microsoft sends you a text message that contains a verification code.
  3. Enter the code in the box provided on the sign-in page.

Sign in with the Microsoft Authenticator app

The following information describes the experience of using the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-step verifications. There are two different ways to use the app. You can receive push notifications on your device, or you can open the app to get a verification code.

To sign in with a notification from the Microsoft Authenticator app

  1. Sign in to an application or service such as Microsoft 365 using your username and password.
  2. Microsoft sends a notification to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your device.

  3. Open the notification on your phone and select the Verify key. If your company requires a PIN, enter it here. You should now be signed in.

To sign in using a verification code with the Microsoft Authenticator app

If you use the Microsoft Authenticator app to get verification codes, then when you open the app you see a number under your account name. This number changes every 30 seconds so that you don't use the same number twice. When you're asked for a verification code, open the app and use whatever number is currently displayed.

  1. Sign in to an application or service such as Microsoft 365 using your username and password.
  2. Microsoft prompts you for a verification code.
  3. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone and enter the code in the box where you are signing in.

Signing in with an alternate method

Sometimes you don't have the phone or device that you set up as your preferred verification method. This situation is why we recommend that you set up backup methods for your account. The following section shows you how to sign in with an alternate method when your primary method may not be available.

  1. Sign in to an application or service such as Microsoft 365 using your username and password.
  2. Select Use a different verification option. You see different verification options based on how many you have set up.
  3. Choose an alternate method and sign in.

Next steps