How to Use the Microsoft Authenticator App

This practical guide walks through how to use the Microsoft authenticator app, explains the main requirements, and highlights common issues that may appear along the way.

Setting up two-factor verification with Microsoft Authenticator is pretty easy. This guide explains with Tipsmake through this guide!

Download and install Microsoft Authenticator

To begin the process, download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app from your phone's app store. While the app downloads, make sure you have a Microsoft account to use with Microsoft Authenticator.

Signing up for a Microsoft account only takes a few minutes, so if you haven't already, create one now on the Microsoft website.

After installing Microsoft Authenticator, open the app and sign in with your Microsoft account. While signed in, the app will ask you to verify your identity through the extra methods you set up during Microsoft account creation. Select the method you have set up and follow the instructions. For example, if you're using a phone number as a secondary authentication method, click it and enter the verification code sent to the phone number. Microsoft Authenticator should now work.

One last thing to note is that you will have to sign in to your account every time you want to change any security settings. When Microsoft Authenticator is running, you will receive a notification on your phone that you must open and enter your phone's lock screen passcode.

• Download Microsoft Authenticator for Android
• Download Microsoft Authenticator for iOS

Use Microsoft Authenticator to set up 2FA on a Microsoft account

To set up two-factor authentication on a Microsoft account, go to the Microsoft Account website and sign in.

Next, navigate to Settings > Advanced security options > Additional security and enable two-step verification.

Before you can enable two-step verification, you need to make sure that your account security information is up to date. Follow the on-screen instructions to make sure everything is in order. Click Next when you are ready.

Take note of the recovery code that appears on the screen and write it somewhere and then click Next again.

Finally, set up other applications by following the instructions displayed on the screen. If you use Outlook on your Android phone, tap Next again. Otherwise, follow the onscreen instructions to create a passcode for apps that don't support two-factor authentication. Then again, click Next.

After you complete the settings, click Finish.

Now, you will need to sign in again.

If you don't want to turn on two-step authentication, you can enable the passwordless option for your Microsoft account. This option uses the Microsoft Authenticator app to sign you in. After enabling this feature, you don't need to remember your password and can log in using just your phone.

Two-factor authentication is more secure, but not phishing-proof

With the number of security breaches and ransomware attacks at an all-time high, login methods such as two-factor authentication are crucial to protecting users' online identities. These methods provide an extra layer of security to your existing passwords.

However, two-factor authentication does not protect against phishing. For example, sophisticated phishing scams can trick you into revealing two-factor login information.

To combat this, you must follow best practices for increasing your security online. For example, set strong passwords, don't use the same password for all accounts, and don't visit shady websites, etc.