Enable passwordless sign-in with the Microsoft Authenticator App

Want to sign in without a password? Register your device with your work domain, then enable passwordless sign-in with the Microsoft Authenticator App.

This guide will accomplish the following:

• Registering Mobile Device with the Microsoft Authenticator App 
• Microsoft Authenticator App Passwordless Credential Enablement

Procedure Scope: Users

Required Group Membership: N/A

Registering Mobile Device with the Microsoft Authenticator App

1. You’ll need the Microsoft Authenticator App for these steps. If you don’t have it yet, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Tip for iOS users: If you can’t find the app but the App Store shows it as installed, tap Open in the store. You can also swipe right to find it in the App Library or swipe down on the home screen to use Search.
   
3. In the Microsoft Authenticator App, tap the three lines (menu icon) to open the menu.
   
4. Tap Settings in the menu that appears.
   
5. In Settings, ensure App Lock is turned On (shown in blue). If not enabled, you'll be prompted to set a PIN or configure Face ID if supported. Once App Lock is set up, go to the work or school account section and select Device Registration.
   
6. Check if your work account's domain is listed under Your device is currently registered with. If it’s not there, tap the + button to add your work account.
   
7. Enter your work account email in the text field. Once you've entered your email, tap Register device to continue.
   
8. Enter your account password, then tap Sign in to continue.
   
9. You may need to enter a verification code before registering your device. Tap Verify to continue.
   
10. After signing in, you'll see a loading wheel as your device registers. Once it's done, your work account's domain will appear under the Your device is currently registered with section.
    

Microsoft Authenticator App Passwordless Credential Enablement

1. As noted earlier, you’ll need the Microsoft Authenticator app to complete these steps. If you haven’t installed it yet, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). If you having trouble locating the Microsoft Authenticator App after installation, you can open it the same way as previously described—through the App Store, the App Library, or the Search function on iOS. Refer to the beginning of the previous section if you need a refresher.
2. In the Microsoft Authenticator app, find and select your work account.
   
3. Tap Set up passwordless sign-in. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. If this option is not available, refer to this guide for additional steps to enable it.
   
4. Before you can enable passwordless sign-in, your device must meet certain requirements. If your device doesn’t meet them, you’ll need to configure these settings separately. Once ready, tap Continue to proceed.
   
5. Before setting up passwordless sign-in, you'll need to complete an MFA prompt. If the number field doesn’t appear automatically, tap Enter number to open it.
   
6. Enter the number shown on your screen to verify your identity. If you don’t remember the number or didn’t see it in time, tap I can’t see the number and then Enter number to try again. Once entered correctly, tap Yes to continue.
   
7. If the previous prompt was successful, you’ll see a loading icon while the passwordless credential finishes setting up.
   
8. After the progress wheel completes, select the original entry and check if Passwordless sign-in requests appears under Ways to sign in or verify. This confirms that passwordless sign-in is set up on your Microsoft Authenticator App.
   

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