How can I permanently remove Microsoft Authenticator and disable two-step verification?

Question

How can I permanently remove Microsoft Authenticator and disable two-step verification?

Maidenless Dio 0

I currently have access to my old device and can use Microsoft Authenticator. However, I want to permanently remove Microsoft Authenticator from my Microsoft accounts and disable two-step verification so I no longer have to enter verification codes when signing in.

Is there a way to completely remove Microsoft Authenticator and turn off two-step verification for both personal and work accounts?

For work accounts, can Microsoft or my organisation's IT administrator permanently disable this requirement?

I would prefer to sign in using only my password without additional authentication.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Fahim-Nz 265 Independent Advisor

Hello Maidenless,

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft Community.

I understand that you would like to remove Microsoft Authentication completely and disable two-step verification so that you can sign in using only your password.

The available options depend on whether you are using a personal Microsoft account or a work/school account.

1/ For personal Microsoft accounts

If you are using a personal Microsoft account (such as Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Live), you can manage two-step verification yourself.

Visit the Microsoft account Security page.
Select Manage how I sign in.
Under Additional security, locate Two-step verification.
Select Turn off and follow the instructions.

If you only want to remove Microsoft Authenticator while keeping other verification methods, expand the Authenticator verification option and select Remove.

(Please note that Microsoft requires you to retain at least one sign-in verification method when managing individual verification methods)

2/ For work or school accounts

For work or school accounts, the situation is different. Your organisation may enforce multifactor authentication (MFA) through Microsoft Entra ID security defaults, Conditional Access policies, or per-user MFA settings.

If you are an ordinary user, you cannot independently disable an MFA requirement enforced by your organization.

You can contact your organisation's IT administrator to check whether MFA is mandatory and whether any alternative authentication methods or policy adjustments are available.

If you are an administrator, you can review the applicable MFA configuration in the Microsoft Entra admin center.

To provide more specific instructions, could you please confirm:

For your work account, are you the Microsoft 365 administrator, or is it managed by your organisation's IT department?

This will help determine which settings you can manage yourself and which require administrator intervention.

Best regards.

Maidenless Dio 0 Reputation points

2026-11-09T11:35:31.7966667+00:00

I managed to successfully add and verify my mobile phone number as another authentication method. However, I still cannot remove Microsoft Authenticator because it is set as my default sign-in method.

I cannot find an option to change the default method from Microsoft Authenticator to SMS.

Could you please explain exactly where I can change my default sign-in method to my mobile number? Once I change it, will I be able to delete Microsoft Authenticator completely?

I would appreciate step-by-step instructions.

Thank you.
Fahim-Nz 265 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-09T13:15:03.5766667+00:00
Hello Maidenless,

Thank you for the clarification.

Since you've already added and verified your mobile phone number, you should be able to select it as your default verification method, provided your organisation allows SMS authentication.

1/ Change your default sign-in method to SMS

Visit the Microsoft Security info page.

Sign in using your work or school account.

At the top of the page, locate Default sign-in method.

Select Change next to the default sign-in method.

From the available options, select Phone - text (your phone number).

Select Confirm to save your changes. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/accounts-billing/work-school/set-up-a-phone-call-as-your-verification-method

Your phone number should now be selected as your default verification method.

2/ Remove Microsoft Authenticator

After changing your default sign-in method:

Return to the Security info page.

Find Microsoft Authenticator under your registered authentication methods.

Select Delete next to it.

Confirm the removal when prompted.

Please note that if Microsoft Authenticator is required by your organisation's security policies, you may not be able to remove it yourself. Your IT administrator can review the applicable Microsoft Entra ID authentication policies.

If the Change option is missing or SMS is not available in the dropdown list, please let us know. Your organisation may have configured restrictions on the available authentication methods.

Best regards.
Fahim-Nz 265 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-10T15:10:02.2866667+00:00

Hello Maidenless,

I hope you're doing well.

I just wanted to follow up and see whether you were able to complete the steps shared in my previous response. If you encountered any difficulties or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be happy to assist you further.

I look forward to your update.

Best regards.

Answer 2

Maidenless Dio 0

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