Dashlane Review (2024): Is it Safe Enough?
Microsoft Authenticator: What It Is, How It Works, And How To Use It!
Microsoft Authenticator is a security app for two-factor authentication. It competes directly with Google Authenticator, Authy, LastPass Authenticator, and others. You may run into the app when updating your Microsoft account settings or enabling two-factor authentication there. Alternatively, you may want to have a TFA available for your own security purposes. You can download Microsoft Authenticator from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Let's talk about Microsoft Authenticator and how it works.
Read more: The best two-factor authentication apps for Android
QUICK ANSWER
Microsoft Authenticator is Microsoft's two-factor authentication app. It makes password-less sign-ins possible for your Microsoft accounts and provides an extra layer of security for third-party apps and services. Once you set up Microsoft Authenticator, you will get a time-sensitive six or eight-digit code that you must enter when logging into any accounts you've set up with 2FA.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
What is Microsoft Authenticator?
Microsoft Authenticator is Microsoft's two-factor authentication app. It initially launched in beta in June 2016. The app works like most others like it. You log into an account, and it asks for a code. Microsoft Authenticator generates those types of codes. It's extremely useful for quick sign-ins, it works cross-platform, and it's faster than email or text codes.
You can also use the app for no-password sign-ins for your Microsoft account. The app also features multi-account support, and support for non-Microsoft websites and services.
How does Microsoft Authenticator work?The app works like most other authentication apps. It generates a six or eight-digit code on a rotating basis of about 30 seconds. You log into your app or service like usual. The site eventually asks for the two-factor authentication code. Go into the Microsoft Authenticator app to receive those codes.
It works a little differently on Microsoft accounts than non-Microsoft accounts. You can use the codes in this app to log in without a password for your Microsoft account. You can also have it set up to send you a push notification approval. It also does a secondary check with your phone's authentication method (fingerprint scanner, PIN, or pattern). However, on all other account types (Facebook, Google, etc.), you have to log in with your username and password before you can add in the code.
Microsoft supports any website that uses the TOTP (time-based one-time password) standard. Thus, the app can continuously generate codes, and you use them as needed. Most apps you log in to use this method, except for some banking apps.
How to use Microsoft Authenticator
The app setup is relatively easy. Let's go over the setup with your Microsoft account. Download the app and open it to begin the tutorial.
Sign in/Setup for Microsoft accountsOnce you input the number, the app is linked to your Microsoft account, and you use it for no-password sign-ins. Next time you log in, enter your username and then input the code generated by the app.
Setup for non-Microsoft accountsThis varies from website to website, but the general idea remains the same. It's a fairly straightforward process.
You should only have to do the Microsoft account setup a single time. Meanwhile, you can add whatever online accounts you want by repeating the non-Microsoft account steps on all of your other accounts.
From there, using the app is very easy. When prompted, you log in with your email or username and password on non-Microsoft websites and enter the six-digit code from the Microsoft Authenticator app. Microsoft websites need you to add your username and it'll then ask you for a code from the app.
What else can Microsoft Authenticator do?
Microsoft
On Android, you can use the Microsoft Authenticator app to auto-fill passwords, addresses, and payment information. Open the Authenticator app, go to the relevant tab (passwords, addresses, payments), and save the necessary information. You can also save the information to the Authenticator app instead of typing it in on another website.
Microsoft
It will connect everything to your Microsoft account. You can use it to auto-fill passwords, payment information, and addresses on mobile and PC. It will do it automatically if you use the Microsoft Edge browser. To use this feature on Google Chrome, you will need to install the Microsoft Autofill Chrome extension. This feature is only available with the Android app.
Microsoft
Microsoft Authenticator vs Google Authenticator
Both two-factor authentication apps offer similar functionality. You can use both to log in to various apps and services that use 2FA, and both provide six-digit codes that expire every 30 or 60 seconds. But there are a few key differences that give Microsoft Authenticator a leg up.
Microsoft Authenticator's newest feature, the ability to sync and auto-fill passwords, addresses, and payment information, isn't available with the Google app. However, you can sync this information with your Google account and use it to auto-fill on Chrome and your Android phone. So while Microsoft bakes this feature into its app, Google provides the same service, just not with Authenticator.
Microsoft Authenticator makes it much easier to move to a new phone because you can back up your log-in credentials and accounts set up to a Microsoft account. Open the app, tap the three vertical dots at the top right corner, open Settings, and enable Cloud backup. When you download the app on a new phone, you can log in with the same account, and the information will be available. A cloud backup option isn't available with Google Authenticator.
You can also set up Microsoft Authenticator on multiple devices and sync it across the board. Google Authenticator is limited to just one device at a time. Microsoft's app also has various notification options, including push notifications, biometric verification on phones, and email and text messages. Again, Google has these options available, but it's linked to your Google account and not the Authenticator app specifically.
FAQs Is Microsoft Authenticator available on Windows?
The Microsoft Authenticator app is only available on mobile. However, if you sync your passwords and other credentials, you can use push notifications and biometric authentication on your phone to log in to apps and services quickly on your computer without needing a code every time.
How do I set up Microsoft Authenticator on a new device?You can use the cloud backup feature to make it easy to set up the app on a new device. You must sign in with your synced Microsoft account, and all the saved credentials should be available. Open the app, tap the three vertical dots at the top right corner, and open Settings. Enable Cloud backup.
How do I get a QR code for the Microsoft Authenticator app?If you need to regenerate a QR code to set up the app on a new device, log in to your Microsoft account on a desktop and go to Security–>Advanced security options and click on Add a new way to sign in or verify and select Use an app.
Why is the sign-in approval push notification or pop-up not showing up?You might not see the necessary approval push notification or pop-up when you expect it. If that happens, open the Microsoft Authenticator app, and the pop-up will then appear. This bug sometimes occurs when the app is updated but goes away with subsequent software updates.
CommentsMicrosoft Authenticator Registration Has Timed Out
When registering Microsoft Authenticator as a two-factor authentication method, some users see Microsoft Authenticator Registration has timed out error. Let us see how to fix this issue.
Authenticator registration has timed out. Please choose "Next" to try again.
The error message also contains details like Correlation ID and Timestamp, which you can copy and share with your organization or admin.
Microsoft Authenticator is one of the best two-factor authentication applications available currently. You can use it on third-party services to protect your accounts. To start using the Microsoft Authenticator on your accounts, you need to download and use the app.
When you see Microsoft Authenticator Registration has timed out error, you can fix it in the following ways.
Let's see how to use them to get rid of the error.
1] Check your internet connection
Microsoft Authenticator relies on the internet to set up the account. You need to ensure you have a reliable internet connection on both your PC and the phone on which you use Microsoft Authenticator. If you are connected to mobile data on your phone, try switching it to WiFi or vice versa. Similarly, make sure the internet on your PC is working fine by running a speed test. If you find any issues with the internet, fix them and try registering on Microsoft Authenticator again. 2] Disable VPN 
If you are connected to the internet via a VPN, the error might have been caused by it. When you connect to the internet via a VPN, the internet speeds decrease. Some servers have a heavy user load, and many connect to the same server. The heavy load causes slow internet speeds, which may hamper your registration on the Microsoft Authenticator app. Disable your VPN on both your devices and try again. Connect your devices to the same network or server to match the IP addresses and try again. Read: Fix Internet gets disconnected when VPN connects 3] Make sure you are not blocked If you are registering Microsoft Authenticator for your organization account, the administrator might have blocked you due to suspicious activity. Contact the administrator of your organization and make sure you are not blocked. If you are already blocked, they can unblock you and make it easy for you to register Microsoft Authenticator. Also read: Microsoft Authenticator: We're sorry we ran into a problem 4] Make sure your device is encrypted 
When the devices you use to register Microsoft Authenticator are not encrypted, they are open for unauthorized access. The devices are potentially risky for the organization's accounts. You may face the registration timed-out error in such cases too. It would be best if you made sure both your Windows PC and the mobile device are encrypted. To make sure Windows 11 is encrypted, Open the Settings app Click on Privacy & security Select the Device encryption tab Make sure the toggle button beside the Device encryption is turned on. If not, toggle it on to enable Device encryption. Coming to your mobile device, if you are using an Android or iOS device, they are by default encrypted. You need not make any changes. If you have rooted your Android device and installed a custom or open-source operating system, then you need to switch to an encrypted device. Read: Difference between Device Encryption and BitLocker 5] Try in Incognito mode 
If you are trying to register Microsoft Authenticator on a normal tab, try using it in incognito mode without any extensions. As incognito mode comes without cookies, cached data, etc. It can help you get rid of the error and help in registering two-factor authentication successfully. 6] Connect a Microsoft Account and try If you are using the Microsoft Authenticator app without logging in with a Microsoft account, sign in with a Microsoft account and try registering the account again for two-factor authentication. Signing in with a Microsoft account also has the benefit of backing up the accounts and their codes automatically. It would be better if you use the Microsoft account provided by your organization for security purposes. 7] Contact your admin or Microsoft Support If the issue is not yet fixed, you might have to contact your organization administrator regarding the same. Even if they cannot fix the issue, you should contact Microsoft Support. They will find out the reason for the error and guide you in fixing it. Also read: Fix Microsoft Authenticator app is not displaying code How do I fix Microsoft authentication problem? If you are facing issues with Microsoft authentication, make sure your device notifications are turned on and you have logged in with the correct Microsoft account to ensure all the accounts and their codes are securely transferred to the new device if you have changed it. If you have recently deactivated any account and activated it again, two-factor authentication is disabled by default. If you have accidentally deleted an account from Microsoft Authenticator, you should use the backup codes of the particular account and reset the two-factor authentication. Why can't I get into my Microsoft Authenticator app? Microsoft Authenticator app can be used without any account. You can install it on your device and add accounts to enable two-factor authentication by scanning the QR codes. If you change the device, you have to backup the codes and accounts to a Microsoft account by logging in to the app. Install the Microsoft Authenticator on a new device and log in with the Microsoft account you have backed up the codes and accounts to. If you are facing issues with PIN or biometrics, make sure you have the latest version of the app, and biometrics enabled on your device. Related read: Microsoft not sending verification code SMS text. Configuring MFA Using The Microsoft Authenticator App On An Android Device
You will be asked to provide a mobile phone number as a backup authentication method. This is an optional step and can be skipped. To skip this step click on 'Done.'
Please be careful not to click on the drop-down asking you to select a country, and do not click in the text field where the phone number is to be entered. Doing so alters the page and makes the fields become required.
If the page does not let you proceed, simply close the browser window. Your setup is complete and will not be lost.
Comments
Post a Comment