what to know
- Download Microsoft Authenticator from the Store and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- After turning on two-factor authentication for your account, click + in the Microsoft app to scan the QR code.
- The next time your account asks for a 2FA code, open Microsoft Authenticator to find it.
This article describes how to use Microsoft's Authenticator app to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for Microsoft accounts and accounts on other websites.
In addition to installing the Authenticator app, you'll also need to know your Microsoft account information in order to sign in to the app. Please follow these steps to configure two-factor authentication for your Microsoft account and prepare applications for 2FA codes for your other accounts:
Sign in to your Microsoft account. If you don't have one, it only takes a few minutes to create a Microsoft account.
Select Security on the left, then Advanced Security Options on the right.
Scroll down the page and select Turn on next to 2-Step Verification .
Select Next on the 2-step verification setup page.
Select the app from the drop-down box and select Get it now .
Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone or tablet and log in to your Microsoft account. It's available for Android and iOS:
Select Next on the Complete setup page of your Microsoft account.
Select Next at the passwordless account setup prompt.
Open Microsoft Authenticator, click your Microsoft account from the list, and select Enable mobile sign-in .
Select Next .
Choose an alternative sign-in method (email or text message) and follow the on-screen prompts.
The Microsoft Authenticator app is now the default method for verifying identity when using two-step verification or password reset.
The Microsoft Authenticator app can provide you with two-factor authentication codes for third-party accounts like Facebook, Google, and more. You need to log into the account to enable 2FA, after which you will be given a code to pair the account with Microsoft Authenticator.
Set up 2FA on the website or app you want to use with Microsoft Authenticator. This is how you get the QR code from Authenticator that needs to be scanned.
Each place does it slightly differently. If you can't find it, look for a section in your account that mentions security , two-factor authentication , authenticator apps , or something similar. For example, turning on two-factor authentication on Facebook is done through Account Center.
Open Microsoft Authenticator and click the plus sign .
Choose the option that best suits the account you want to add. In our Facebook example, we'll choose Other .
Scan the QR code displayed on the page you found in step 1. If required, you can enter the key manually. The account will be added immediately and will appear along with any other accounts you add.
Return to your account's website and follow any other steps you see to verify the code.
Once setup is complete, you'll receive a notification accepting the request on your phone when you sign in to your Microsoft account. When you sign in to a non-Microsoft account, you'll be asked to enter a 6-digit code. Here's how to get a Facebook two-factor authentication code using the Microsoft app:
Log in to the account using your normal username and password.
Open Microsoft Authenticator and find the account in the list. Write down the 6-digit code.
Return to the login prompt and enter the 2-step verification code to complete the login process.
Like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator lets you get verification codes for accounts that have two-factor authentication enabled. When the login prompt asks for a 2FA code, open Microsoft Authenticator to find it. But please note that these codes will not work forever; they will persist. You have to hurry or a new one will appear.
