Microsoft Authenticator helps you sign in to your accounts if you've forgotten your password, use two-step verification or multi-factor authentication, or have gone passwordless on your account. 

Note: Before you can use Authenticator as a way to sign in, you need to download the app and have already added Authenticator to your accounts.

Using Authenticator as a way to sign in

If you have turned on passwordless, two-step, or multi-factor authentication for your account, use the following steps to sign-in:

  1. Go to the site where you want to sign in.

  2. Enter your username at the sign-in prompt and select Next.

  3. Select Send notification.

    Note: If necessary, select Other ways to sign in then Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app.

  4. You will be prompted to Check your Authenticator app and may also be shown a number.Check authorization image

  5. On your mobile device, open Authenticator, or tap the New sign-in request notification.

    Note: If you're a work or school account user, you may need to unlock Authenticator before confirming sign-in.

  6. Tap or enter the corresponding number, then Approve.Number matching image

Sign in to a work/school account using a remote computer

Many apps allow you to authenticate by entering a code on another device such as a PC. If you want to sign in on a remote computer to install Authenticator, follow these steps.

Note: This feature is usable only by users whose admins have enabled remote sign-in.

  1. Open Authenticator, and then select > Add work or school account > Sign in.

  2. Select Sign in from another device.

  3. On the remote screen, open the Sign in to your account page and enter the code that you see in Authenticator.

  4. On your remote screen, sign in using your work or school account credentials.

  5. After you complete your authentication on the remote screen, return to Authenticator to complete setup.

See also

How to sign out from Authenticator

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