A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
The sign-in page is requesting Microsoft Authenticator approval because the account is configured to use the Authenticator app (or passwordless sign-in), even if this is not obvious in the account’s visible options. To get past this and remove the Authenticator requirement, use one of the following supported paths:
- Use another verification method (if available)
- On the sign-in screen where it asks to approve the Authenticator notification, look for options like I can’t use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now or Use a different verification option.
- If SMS, email, or another method is offered, choose it to sign in.
- Once signed in, go to your account security settings → Advanced security options and review/remove Authenticator-based methods or passwordless sign-in for that account.
- If notifications are going to an old device If Authenticator was previously installed on another phone, notifications may be going there instead of the current device:
- Check the old phone and open Microsoft Authenticator to approve the pending sign-in.
- After signing in, remove the old device and Authenticator registration from your security info so future prompts do not go to that device. Steps are described in the “How do I make sure notifications don't go to an old device?” section referenced in the FAQ.
- If Authenticator is still required and no alternative method works If there is no SMS/email option and no access to the old Authenticator device, the account’s MFA configuration must be reset by support:
- For personal Microsoft accounts, follow the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues (linked from the FAQ) and use the account recovery and support paths there.
- For work/school or business/tenant accounts, contact the organization’s IT admin or Microsoft support so they can reset MFA or require re-registration of the app, similar to the process described for resetting MFA in the Azure/Entra admin center.
- If passwordless is enabled and causing the prompt If passwordless sign-in was turned on for the Microsoft account:
- Install Microsoft Authenticator or Outlook for Android, sign in, and approve the prompt once.
- Then go to the Microsoft account Additional security options, locate Passwordless account, and turn it off if the goal is to go back to password-based sign-in.
Once an alternative verification method is used and access to the account is restored, remove any unused Authenticator registrations and old devices from the security info so future sign-ins no longer demand an Authenticator notification.
References:
- Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
- Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
- Authentication methods in Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Authenticator app
- How to go passwordless with your Microsoft account
- I cant log in to my business account because it is requiring Authenticator app which I do not have - Microsoft Q&A
- Microsoft Authenticator app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
- Why can't just use my password anymore to log into my email. been going on for a while.... - Microsoft Q&A
- Having problems getting text codes to confirm my account - Microsoft Q&A
- Reset Personal Azure MFA - Microsoft Q&A