A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Try these steps in order:
- Check Microsoft Authenticator on the phone
- Make sure the app is unlocked.
- Make sure notifications are enabled for Microsoft Authenticator.
- If notifications are silent or disabled, the approval prompt may not appear.
- Check the device state
- Make sure the phone has an active internet connection.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Make sure the phone’s date and time are correct.
- Update the app
- Install the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator.
- An outdated app can cause authentication to fail.
- Use another verification method if available
- On the sign-in screen, select Other verification options or Try another verification method.
- If SMS or email is available on the account, use that instead.
- Avoid repeated code requests
- Too many repeated requests can trigger a temporary block.
- Wait 24 hours before trying again.
- If it still does not work, wait longer, up to 1 week.
- If SMS is also failing
- Check that the phone number is correct in the account security info.
- VOIP numbers cannot be used for sign-in or verification codes; a mobile phone number is required.
- If the phone blocks texts from unknown numbers, change that setting and request a new code.
- If the app shows “Authentication did not complete”
- Open the app and keep it unlocked.
- Check whether the code arrived silently by text.
- Retry after confirming notifications and connectivity.
- If no verification method works
- For a personal Microsoft account, use the sign-in helper or account recovery flow.
- For a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT admin to reset or re-register MFA methods.
If the problem continues after these checks, send diagnostics from the app: open Microsoft Authenticator, go to the app’s top-level menu, and select Send feedback.
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