How to manually log into the authenticator app?

Question

I would like to be able to a cess the authenticator without face recognition. I would like to use a passkey or a password, not my face.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hey there, paty prieto

The Microsoft Authenticator app uses your phones security settings for logging into the app. Because of this, to change it so it no longer uses your face, you would need to remove the face option on your phone or use another biometric option.

If your phone is running on Android, please:

1. Swipe down to bring up the media controls,
2. Click onto the gear icon in the right-hand corner (under your battery icon),
3. Select "Security and Privacy",
4. Select "Screen lock and biometrics",

You can then change the face ID setting from there. Now when you try and launch the Microsoft Authenticator app, it should ask you for your phone's pin instead.

If you are using an iPhone, please check the instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph672384a0b/ios

Hope this helps,
Nathan

Answer 2

Microsoft Authenticator itself does not support signing in with a separate password or passkey to open the app. Access to the app and to passkeys stored in it is controlled by the device’s own unlock method (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint, PIN, or device password), as provided by iOS or Android.

To avoid using face recognition, change the device’s primary unlock method to a PIN, fingerprint, or device password. When signing in with a passkey via Authenticator, the prompt will then use that method instead of face recognition:

• On iOS: the iOS dialog will ask for Face ID, Touch ID, or device PIN, depending on what is configured.
• On Android: the Android dialog will ask for face, fingerprint, PIN, or unlock gesture, depending on what is configured.

There is no separate “manual login” (username/password) option for the Authenticator app itself.

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References:

• Sign in with passkeys in Authenticator for Android and iOS devices
• Sign in with a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator
• Authentication methods in Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Authenticator app
• About Microsoft Authenticator
• Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator
• How to go passwordless with your Microsoft account