Microsoft Authenticator
Contents6
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| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | |
| Product Type | Security, Software |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/mobile-authenticator-app |
Microsoft Authenticator is a free mobile app that secures the user's Microsoft account with single sign-on (SSO) and provides multi-factor authenication (MFA) for other online services.
One of its key functions is generating secure, ephemeral, random six-digit tokens to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for arbitrary online services.
Consumer impact summary
Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):
- User Freedom
- User Privacy
- Business Model
- Market Control
Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.
User Freedom
Inability to export codes
Like Authy, Microsoft Authenticator does not allow the user to export their MFA codes to another service.
Cross-Platform Migration Friction
A major pain point for users is that Microsoft Authenticator does not support direct cross-platform restore. This means that if a user with many accounts synced on an iPhone purchases an Android device, they have effectively two options to continue using Microsoft Authenticator for MFA:
- Retain possession of the old iPhone for daily MFA needs, or
- Manually reconfigure every service that depends on Microsoft Authenticator for MFA on the new Android device.
For personal power users, manual reconfiguration may be inconvenient but feasible. However, for work accounts, this process is often impractical as it may require administrative privileges beyond the user’s own.
Microsoft’s official documentation acknowledges this limitation, stating:
"Important: You can only backup and restore on the same device type: accounts backed up using an iOS device cannot be restored on an Android device."[1]
Incidents
Removal of password manager (June 2025)
In June 2025, Microsoft Authenticator users were no longer be able to save new passwords in the app. Then in July 2025, autofill was removed and no longer available. And finally in August 2025, saved passwords were deleted in the Authenticator app.[2][3][4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator". Microsoft. 2025-10-07. Archived from the original on 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ Lakshmanan, Ravie (2025-07-01). "Microsoft Removes Password Management from Authenticator App Starting August 2025". The Hacker News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ↑ Watkins, Jessica (2025-06-13). "Microsoft Deleting Saved Passwords From Auth App". Flaming. Archived from the original on 2025-12-05. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ↑ Brinkmann, Martin (2025-05-05). "Microsoft removes Authenticator App feature to promote Microsoft Edge". ghacks.net. Archived from the original on 2025-12-10. Retrieved 2026-03-12.