Authentication App vs. Yahoo

Rebecca Besier 0 Reputation points
2026-03-09T22:23:17.4066667+00:00

For Authentication, Yahoo Mail requires a 6 Digit code, however Authenticator App provides 8 digits and Yahoo does not accept this code. Why ?

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator

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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-09T22:23:28.67+00:00

    Yahoo Mail and Microsoft Authenticator are using different one-time password (OTP) formats.

    Yahoo’s 6‑digit code prompt is for Yahoo’s own 2‑step verification flow (or for TOTP codes generated by an app that has been explicitly registered with Yahoo for that purpose). Microsoft Authenticator, when configured for Microsoft accounts or Microsoft 365 work/school accounts, generates OATH verification codes in the format those accounts expect, which in this case are 8‑digit codes. Yahoo’s sign-in page is hard-coded to accept only the 6‑digit format it expects, so it rejects the 8‑digit code from Microsoft Authenticator.

    To use app-based codes with Yahoo, the account must be set up in the authenticator app specifically as a Yahoo account (using Yahoo’s QR code/secret) so that the app generates a 6‑digit TOTP in the format Yahoo accepts. If Microsoft Authenticator is only configured for Microsoft accounts, its 8‑digit codes cannot be used to satisfy Yahoo’s 6‑digit prompt.

    References:

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