A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
If the Authenticator prompt appears during sign-in but no notification reaches the phone, use this sequence:
- Open Microsoft Authenticator manually on the phone instead of waiting for a pop-up. A pending number match request can already be inside the app.
- If the app is locked, unlock it first. For work or school accounts, Authenticator may need to be unlocked before the sign-in can be approved.
- Make sure notifications are enabled for Microsoft Authenticator. Silent or disabled notifications can prevent the prompt from appearing.
- Confirm the phone has a working internet connection. If needed, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Check that the phone date and time are correct.
- Update to the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator.
- If Authenticator was previously active on an older phone, the push may be going to that older device. If available, check the old phone and approve there, then remove the old device from the account.
- If another verification method is offered during sign-in, use Other ways to sign in or a different method such as SMS.
Since Teams and Outlook are still accessible, the account itself is not fully blocked. If the issue continues after the steps above, send Authenticator logs from the app:
- Open Authenticator
- Go to the app’s top-level menu
- Select Send feedback
For a work or school account, the next step is to contact the IT administrator so the Authenticator registration or MFA method can be checked or reset.