How to Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app

Microsoft Authenticator is a free app designed to simplify and secure your online account access. Instead of relying on traditional passwords, it allows you to sign in using your fingerprint, face recognition, or a simple PIN number.

This app is versatile, working with various types of accounts including personal Microsoft accounts, work and school Microsoft accounts, and even accounts from other services. The main benefit of Microsoft Authenticator is that it provides a quick and secure way to access all your accounts without the need to remember multiple complex passwords.

It’s a convenient tool that enhances both the security and ease of use for your online accounts.

How to Download Aka Ms Authapp?

Important: Microsoft no longer supports Authenticator versions that are more than one year old. Always keep your device up to date.

You can download the Microsoft Authenticator app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or from aka.ms/authapp:

1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your device.
2. Search for Microsoft Authenticator and download and install the app.
3. Open the app and agree to the privacy statement.
4. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
5. Authenticator will ask if it can send you notifications.

Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app as your verification method

Step:1 Log in to your work or school account and go to the My Account portal.

Step:2 Select Security info in the left menu or by using the link in the Security info pane. If you have already registered, you’ll be prompted for two-factor verification. Then, select Add method in the Security info pane.

Step:3 On the Add a method page, select Authenticator app from the list, and then select Add.

Step:4 On the Start by getting the app page, select Download now to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, and then select Next. For more information about how to download and install the app.

• If you want to use an authenticator app other than the Microsoft Authenticator app, select I want to use a different authenticator app.
• If your organization lets you choose a different method besides the authenticator app, you can select I want to set up a different method.

Step:5 Keep the “Set up your account” page open on your computer while setting up the app on your phone.

Step:6 Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select to allow notifications (if prompted), select Add account from the Customize and control icon on the upper-right, and then select Work or school account.

Step:7 Return to the Set up your account page on your computer, and then select Next. The Scan the QR code page appears.

Step:8 Scan the provided code with the Microsoft Authenticator app QR code reader, which appeared on your mobile device after you created your work or school account in Step 6.

Step:9 The authenticator app should successfully add your work or school account without requiring any additional information from you. However, if the QR code reader can’t read the code, you can select Can’t scan the QR code and manually enter the code and URL into the Microsoft Authenticator app. For more information about manually adding a code, see Manually add an account to the app.

Step:10 Select Next on the Scan the QR code page on your computer. A notification is sent to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, to test your account.

Step:11 Approve the notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and then select Next. Your security info is updated to use the Microsoft Authenticator app by default to verify your identity when using two-step verification or password reset.

Click “Next” on your computer to finish the setup.

How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator

There are three ways you can use Microsoft Authenticator with your accounts:

1. Add Authenticator as a way to verify sign-in
2. Add Authenticator as a way to sign in every time (two-step verification)
3. Add Authenticator as the only way to sign in (passwordless)

Tips

• You can use Microsoft Authenticator for multiple accounts, including Microsoft personal accounts, work/school accounts, and non-Microsoft accounts.
• Download the app before adding an account.

1. Microsoft Personal Account

A. Add Authenticator as a way to verify sign-in

1. On your computer, go to Advanced security options in your Microsoft account dashboard. Sign in.
2. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
3. Choose Use an app.
4. Open Authenticator on your phone and select the plus icon.
5. Select Personal account then tap Scan a QR Code.

B. Add Authenticator as a way to sign in every time

1. Go to Advanced security options in your Microsoft account dashboard. Sign in.
2. Scroll to Two-step verification section and turn it On.
3. Follow on-screen instructions.

C. Add Authenticator as the only way to sign in

1. Go to Advanced security options in your Microsoft account dashboard. Sign in.
2. Scroll to Passwordless account section and turn it On.
3. Follow prompts to verify your account.
4. Approve the request sent to Authenticator.

2. Work or School Accounts

A. Add using a QR code

1. Go to the Security info page of your account dashboard. Sign in.
2. Select Add sign-in method.
3. Choose Authenticator app from the dropdown and select Add.
4. Open Authenticator on your phone, select the plus icon, and Add account.
5. Select Work or school account then tap Scan a QR Code.

B. Add using your credentials

1. Open Authenticator and select the plus icon.
2. Tap Work or school account. Select Sign in.
3. Enter your work or school account credentials.

3. Non-Microsoft Accounts

General Steps

1. Sign in to the account and turn on two-step verification.
2. Add the account to Authenticator following specific steps for each service.

Specific Instructions Available For:

• Amazon account
• Facebook account
• Google account
• Other non-Microsoft accounts using a QR code

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Setup.

MFA is like adding an extra lock to your online accounts. Here’s how it works:

1. Normal login: You use your username and password.
2. MFA adds another step: You need to prove it’s really you in a second way.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) enhances account security by requiring multiple forms of verification. When logging into an account with MFA enabled:

1. Enter username and password as usual.
2. Provide a second factor to verify identity.
3. Common second factors include:
   • Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) from authenticator apps
   • SMS codes
   • Biometrics (fingerprint, face recognition)
   • Hardware tokens

The second factor significantly improves security. Even if someone obtains your password, they can’t access your account without the additional verification method. This protects against unauthorized access, especially from remote locations. The dynamic nature of many second factors (e.g., constantly changing TOTP codes) further strengthens security.