Microsoft Authenticator is a great two-factor authentication app. But did you know you can also use it as a password manager? Let's explore how you can use this popular two-factor authentication app to keep your passwords safe on all your devices.
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If you don't have it, you can install Microsoft Authenticator from the Google Play Store or App Store on your iPhone and iPad. Once installed, launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to allow notifications.
Microsoft Authenticator requires a Microsoft account to work. If you have an account, tap Sign-in with Microsoft account , then sign in with your details. If not, you can create a new account within the app.
When you sign in, tap Allow autofill to set Authenticator as your default autofill service (allowing the app to automatically fill in known username and password fields). Tap OK to confirm the action. Review the summary and tap Done . Otherwise, tap Skip and you can do it later.
By default, App Lock is enabled for Microsoft Authenticator. This way, you'll have to unlock the app every time you approve authentication or view passwords. Also, you can't use password management features without first enabling App Lock. But if you need to disable it, here's how to do it.
Next, you'll need to enter your password into Microsoft Authenticator, either from your browser or another password manager.
You can also import passwords from dedicated password managers like Bitwarden, LastPass , Dashlane , etc. Here are instructions on how to import passwords from Bitwarden into Microsoft Authenticator, but the process is similar for most password managers.
If you don't use the mobile app for your password manager, export the .csv file using your web browser, save it on your phone, and then import it into the Authenticator app. Here's a list of password managers that the Authenticator app supports:
Of course, you can also add a new password manually. On the Password tab , tap the large + icon in the lower right corner and select Add password . Enter the full URL (e.g. https://quantrimang.com), followed by the username and password. Tap the check mark (✓) icon in the upper right corner to save the password.
What if your password manager doesn't have a password generator? Microsoft Authenticator also has a password generator. To create a new password, tap the + icon in the Password tab , then tap Generate password .
By default, the app will generate a 15-character password with letters, numbers, and special characters. You can customize it to adjust the complexity of the password to suit your needs. Once the password is ready, tap Copy password to use it on a new app. Alternatively, tap the small Save (folder) icon to create a new account with the generated password.
Another handy feature of Authenticator is the password generator history. To access it, tap the + icon and select Generator history . This will show you all the passwords you've generated on the app in case you didn't save them or forgot them.
With autofill, Microsoft Authenticator can automatically fill in your login information for saved accounts. If you didn't turn on autofill during initial setup, you can do so from Settings.
In some cases, you may need to turn on Autofill on more apps and sites to allow autofill to work on certain apps. So, tap Autofill on more apps and sites , then tap Turn on . On the Accessibility screen, tap Installed apps and select Authenticator . Tap to toggle the switch, then select Allow . Check to see if the Autofill service is running. If not, do a quick restart and it should start working.
Once configured, autofill works well with third-party apps that provide the ability to fill in usernames and passwords for saved accounts. It also works with your favorite browser on Android, including Chrome and Brave, with the exception of Edge. Edge insists on using the built-in Microsoft Autofill service instead.
If you want to bring Microsoft Authenticator to your desktop, you'll need to install the Microsoft Autofill browser extension. This extension is available for Chromium-based browsers and extends Authenticator's password management and autofill services.
To install the extension:
Microsoft Autofill syncs your passwords from the Authenticator app. When you visit a website with a saved account, Autofill automatically fills in your username and password and logs you in.
Additionally, any accounts saved using Autofill will be available across all your devices when using Microsoft Authenticator. However, you will need to manually sync using the Sync now button in the upper right corner of the extension.
For more options, go to the Settings tab . Here you can configure what information Microsoft Autofill can save and autofill, your preferred identity verification mode, and whether identity verification is required when autofilling passwords and payment information.
If you need a basic password manager with good security, Microsoft Authenticator is a solid password manager alternative. It's also convenient because it consolidates your two-factor authentication and password management tools into one app.
However, if you need more features like the ability to organize new and existing passwords into folders, cross-platform support, automatic cross-device sync, and other advanced features, a dedicated password manager is still a better choice. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal needs and preferences.
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