--- title: Microsoft Authenticator canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/microsoft-authenticator/ category: Authenticator Apps points: 26 rank: 12 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Microsoft Authenticator Free phone app for Microsoft sign-in approvals and one-time codes for other accounts. 26 points out of 100. #12 of 12 authenticator apps. Vendor: Microsoft. Website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/mobile-authenticator-app - The iOS app is listed as free on the App Store [8]. - It runs on iOS and Android only; Microsoft says it is not available for PC or Mac [1]. - Backup goes to iCloud on iOS and to a Microsoft personal account on Android; backups cannot move between iOS and Android [2]. - From January 2027, Microsoft says Android backup no longer uses a Microsoft personal account and needs Google One backup [2]. - Microsoft's Identity Bounty lists the iOS and Android app, with awards from $750 to $100,000 [7]. Verdict: Microsoft Authenticator suits people whose main accounts are Microsoft ones, since it adds approval prompts and codes for other sites on iOS and Android [1][2][4][8]. It has an app lock and a public bounty [3][7]. The catch: Microsoft does not document a user-held backup key, and the app is mobile only [1][2]. Best for: People who mainly protect Microsoft accounts and want sign-in approval prompts. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Security and trust | End-to-end encrypted backup | Not published | 0/12 | Not published on the vendor's backup page [2]: it names iCloud or a Microsoft account but not a user-held key. | | Security and trust | Independent audit, 2023 or later | Not published | 0/10 | Not published on the vendor's pages [2]. | | Security and trust | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's pages [1]. | | Security and trust | Public bug bounty | Yes | 3/3 | The Microsoft Identity Bounty scope lists Microsoft Authenticator for iOS and Android; awards run $750 to $100,000 [7]. | | Security and trust | App lock | Yes | 6/6 | App Lock asks for the device PIN or biometrics each time you open Authenticator [3]. | | Backup and recovery | Cloud backup or sync | Yes | 10/10 | iOS backs up to iCloud; Android backs up to a Microsoft personal account. One-time codes for third-party accounts return [2]. | | Backup and recovery | Same codes on several devices | Not published | 0/7 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ [3]: it says only that adding the app to a new device does not remove it from the old one. | | Backup and recovery | Export all accounts | Not published | 0/7 | Not published: the export page covers passwords only and does not describe exporting accounts or codes [6]. | | Backup and recovery | Import from other apps | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's import page [5]: it covers saved passwords from browsers and managers, not codes. | | Backup and recovery | Works without an account | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's add-accounts page [9]. | | Systems | Apps | iOS, Android | 4/12 | Download page lists the Apple App Store and Google Play; not available for PC or Mac [1]. | | Features | Stores passkeys | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's sign-in page [4] or FAQ [3]. | | Features | Sign-in approval prompts | Yes | 3/3 | Select Send notification at sign-in and approve in the app; you may also be shown a number to match [4]. | | Features | Counter-based (HOTP) codes | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ [3]: it describes codes that change every 30 seconds. | | Features | Folders, tags or search | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ [3]. | | Price | Cost with backup on two devices | Not published | 0/4 | Backup is documented, but the same codes on two devices are not, so the cost cannot be set [2][3]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free (iOS) | Free [8] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free on iOS, with codes for Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts [8][2]. - Sign-in approval by notification works, and Microsoft says you may be shown a number to match [4]. - App Lock asks for the device PIN or biometrics when you open the app [3]. - Third-party account codes are backed up and return after a restore [2]. - The app is in scope of a public bounty programme [7]. ## Limits - Microsoft says the app is not available for PC or Mac [1]. - Backups restore only on the same device type, so iOS and Android do not mix [2]. - Microsoft's backup page does not say whether backups are encrypted with a key only you hold [2]. - Microsoft's help pages for export and import cover passwords only, not authenticator codes [5][6]. ## Sources 1. [Download Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/download-microsoft-authenticator), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Back up your accounts in Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/back-up-your-accounts-in-microsoft-authenticator), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Microsoft Authenticator FAQs](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/microsoft-authenticator-faqs), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/sign-in-using-microsoft-authenticator), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Import passwords into the Microsoft Authenticator app](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/import-passwords-into-the-microsoft-authenticator-app), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Export passwords from Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/export-passwords-from-microsoft-authenticator), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Microsoft Identity Bounty Program](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/msrc/bounty-microsoft-identity), Microsoft Security Response Center, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Microsoft Authenticator on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458), Apple App Store, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/authenticator/how-to-add-your-accounts-to-microsoft-authenticator), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-08