Why is Authenticator App not working with Apple Watch?

Michael Antonelli 21 Reputation points
2020-11-26T05:59:52.023+00:00

I am having an issue with the Authenticator App working on my Apple Watch. I am enabling the app on my iphone then go to my watch and enable the app there. My watch then shows the message “Keep the app open on your phone and respond to any prompts.” No prompts appear on my phone to respond to. When I shut down the app on the watch and restart I am being told I am required to set up my accounts and to open the Authenticator App on my phone and the message screen described above appears and no prompts appear on my phone. I have tried rebooting both the watch and the phone. I have also removed the app from the watch and reinstalled. What am I doing wrong here?

Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation.
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  1. Marco Aurélio 61 Reputation points
    2021-02-05T21:09:00.09+00:00

    Try open authenticatior in your iphone, go to settings in authenticator application and disable application lock in security. Authentication stay waiting unlock by face id in iphone, by it the error in apple watch.

    12 people found this answer helpful.

  2. Jonathan Bartkowiak 31 Reputation points
    2022-04-20T19:43:04.833+00:00

    Any updates on this working with the "App Lock" enabled?

    5 people found this answer helpful.

  3. YEGdad 21 Reputation points
    2022-11-22T19:28:37.737+00:00

    Microsoft has withdrawn support for Microsoft Authenticator on Apple Watch.

    ----------

    Q: Is Apple Watch supported for Authenticator on iOS?

    A: In the upcoming Authenticator release in January 2023 for iOS, there will be no companion app for watchOS due to it being incompatible with Authenticator security features. This means you won't be able to install or use Authenticator on Apple Watch. We therefore recommend that you delete Authenticator from your Apple Watch. This change only impacts Apple Watch, so you will still be able to use Authenticator on your other devices.

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    For more information, see:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/common-questions-about-the-microsoft-authenticator-app-12d283d1-bcef-4875-9ae5-ac360e2945dd

    and scroll down to Apple Watch Support

    4 people found this answer helpful.

  4. Henri Van Wesemael 21 Reputation points
    2022-12-20T14:56:43.697+00:00

    This is so sad. It was very handy to aithenticate on apple watch.
    Please reconsider.
    Thanks.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments

  5. Chris Snyder 11 Reputation points
    2023-02-16T17:00:45.0633333+00:00

    I used the authentication approval on my Apple watch multiple times a day. Using the phone for approval is nowhere near as convenient. I hope Microsoft and Apple can get this working again.

    2 people found this answer helpful.

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