14 DAY TRIAL // The software giant has just released an update to the Microsoft Authenticator app that allows users to log into their accounts without a password and using only their iPhones or Android phones.
Phone sign-in for Microsoft accounts is now supported in the Microsoft Authenticator app and all you need to do is install the latest version of the app, configure your account, and then click the option that reads phone sign-in when attempting to log into your Microsoft account.
Instead of having to enter the password for your account, you receive a notification on the mobile device that allows you to grant the authentication, so everything is substantially faster, without affecting security in any way.
“This process is easier than standard two-step verification and significantly more secure than only a password, which can be forgotten, phished, or compromised. Using your phone to sign in with PIN or fingerprint is a seamless way to incorporate two account ‘proofs’ in a way that feels natural and familiar,” Microsoft explains.
Not yet on Windows phones
If you don’t want to use phone sign-in, or if this feature isn’t available or you don’t have the phone around, there’s always the option to authenticate using the standard password option, though if you have two-factor authentication, additional steps are required and the process takes longer.
As far as Windows phones are concerned, there’s some bad news here. The application does not yet support phone sign-in on Windows 10 Mobile devices and Microsoft says that it first wants to get this feature right on Android and iOS and only then bring it on its own mobile platform.
If you want to give this new feature a try, you can download Microsoft Authenticator APK for Android or the iOS version from the App Store. The application is obviously free of charge and only requires a Microsoft account.