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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Microsoft Authenticator

35
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

Microsoft Authenticator is a functional security app for two-factor authentication, but recent user reviews highlight significant usability issues, particularly with device migration and an frustrating authentication loop.

4.7★ lifetime (669,242) Free + in-app purchases since 2015 by Microsoft Corporation updated 0.5 mo ago recent negative 88% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Authentication Loop Device Migration Usability/User Experience Security & Reliability
5★74
4★13
3★30
2★41
1★842
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

Microsoft Authenticator is designed to secure accounts with two-factor authentication, and many users find it effective for this purpose. However, a large number of recent reviews report critical problems when changing devices, often leading to users being locked out of their accounts. The app also frequently gets stuck in an authentication loop, making it difficult to sign in.

What users like

  • Effectively secures accounts and provides privacy protectionR91R181R203R237
  • Generally easy to use for daily logins once set upR9R131R147R348
  • Offers a key feature for account recoveryR123

What users complain about

  • Users frequently get stuck in an authentication loop when trying to sign in or set up the appR3R4R18R34
  • Difficult and often impossible to transfer accounts or sign in on a new phone, leading to lockoutsR8R20R21R227
  • Backup functionality is unreliable or non-existent, causing loss of logins when devices are wiped or replacedR12R15R19R25
  • User interface is confusing, not user-friendly, and lacks features like dark mode or custom logosR10R13R50R160
  • Notifications and codes sometimes do not appear or are invalidR1R7R24R118
  • Requires multiple steps and biometric scans, making the process cumbersomeR17R23R48R406

Latest update · v6.8.50

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

We're always working on new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure you stay updated with the latest version for the best authentication experience.

Recurring themes

Authentication Loop negative
Many users report getting stuck in a circular authentication process where the app asks them to open or approve a login within the same app they are trying to access, making it impossible to proceed. This issue is frequently cited as a major source of frustration.R3R4R18R34
Device Migration negative
A prevalent issue is the difficulty or inability to transfer Authenticator accounts to a new phone. Users often lose access to their accounts because the app requires authentication from the old device, which may no longer be available. The lack of a reliable backup or import option is a significant pain point.R8R12R13R15
Usability/User Experience negative
Reviewers frequently describe the app as confusing, not user-friendly, and cumbersome. Specific complaints include too many hoops to jump through, multiple facial scans, and a lack of clear instructions. Some users also report issues with codes not displaying or working correctly.R1R7R10R11
Security & Reliability mixed
While many users praise the app for keeping accounts secure and providing good privacy protection, others report issues with codes not working or the app locking them out of accounts. The recent update notes mention 'bug fixes and performance improvements,' but reviews contradict this, with users still experiencing glitches and unreliability.R1R2R11R22

Who it's for

This app is for users who need a free two-factor authentication solution and are comfortable with a potentially complex setup process, especially when changing devices R8R20. It is particularly useful for those who prioritize strong account security and are willing to navigate usability challenges R91R147. It is NOT for users who frequently change phones, prefer simple authentication methods like SMS, or expect a seamless, intuitive user experience R4R10R19.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative (0.883 recent-negative), which contrasts sharply with the lifetime rating of 4.7. This indicates a significant decline in user satisfaction, particularly around recent updates. Many negative points, especially regarding the authentication loop and device migration, are supported by a high volume of similar complaints across multiple regions.

Frequently asked

Is Microsoft Authenticator free?
Yes, Microsoft Authenticator is a free app, though it does include in-app purchases (developer information).
Can I use Microsoft Authenticator on a new phone?
Transferring Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone is a major pain point for users, with many reporting difficulty or being completely locked out of their accounts because the app requires authentication from the old device R8R20R21R227.
Why am I stuck in an authentication loop with Microsoft Authenticator?
Users get stuck in an authentication loop because the app often prompts them to open or approve a login within the Authenticator app itself, while they are already trying to sign into or set up the app, making it impossible to proceed R3R4R18.
Does Microsoft Authenticator offer backups?
Reviewers indicate that backup functionality is unreliable or non-existent, leading to the loss of all logins if a device is wiped or replaced R12R15R19R25.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R91] 5/5 · US Authenticator: This app has been very helpful on keeping my accounts secure!
  2. [R181] 5/5 · US Excellent Authenticator App: Gives full privacy and prevents other from accessing personal information
  3. [R203] 5/5 · US Best 2FA that I have found: Really a life saver as far as keeping account safe and secure
  4. [R237] 5/5 · US Turzow: very much safety and have good privacy protection
  5. [R9] 5/5 · US I’m low tech: … and it’s easy for me to use. That’s it folks.
  6. [R131] 5/5 · US Great App: Honestly this app has made all the logins easier and I’m dead brained half the time trying to log into stuff.
  7. [R147] 5/5 · US works: so far the best auth app i’ve used. no complaints, does what it needs to do. nothing fancy, which is something special nowadays.
  8. [R348] 5/5 · GB So easy to use and very necessary: Can’t live without it
  9. [R123] 5/5 · US Recovery and iOS: Love the Key feature, excellent for recovery!
  10. [R3] 1/5 · US Junk doesn’t work: I love how the Authenticator app tells you to enter a code in the Authenticator app when trying to login. I’m literally in the Authenticator app and it’s telling me to go to the Authenticator app for the prompt and it’s not working. Typical Microsoft junk
  11. [R4] 1/5 · US The dreaded loop: You can’t sign into Authenticator unless (you guessed it) you are already signed into Authenticator t so that you can approve the sign-in. When you get a new phone, the result is something like the dilemma of Yossarian in Catch-22. You will not be able to check your e-mail until you get that one guy in IT who knows how to get around the problem. No SMS authentication so keeping y
  12. [R18] 1/5 · US Terrible: It says “open Authenticator and verify code” and it’s Authenticator that this message is in which is open????? What the heck??
  13. [R34] 1/5 · US “Open your Authenticator app and enter the number shown” loop: Authenticator app automatically opens when logging into my work email, and then prompts me to open the Authenticator app to approve the log in.
  14. [R8] 3/5 · US It’s alright: it’s a good app when it’s easy to be access when changing phones it’s difficult to re-log into your previous account because you need the Authenticator app, but if it’s not working, you’re kind of just screwed. It has happened multiple times.
  15. [R20] 1/5 · US STUPID: When you get a new phone you have to sign in again, but the only way to sign in is using the Authenticator app, which you cant sign in to because they require approval through the app!!
  16. [R21] 1/5 · US Changing phones screws up Authenticator: I got a new phone and apparently the codes are sent to the old phone. Can’t login to fix it because I don’t have the old phone. This problem has been an issue for years according to the community pages. Can’t find a person to talk to, only AI which doesn’t answer the question. I don’t have IT and I am the admin so no other way to fix this. Stupid app I will
  17. [R227] 4/5 · US Can’t sign in without being in- impossible: High rating to make sure this is seen!! I got a new phone and need to re-sign in. It tells me that I need a code to authenticate my sign in, but I can’t receive the code unless I’m already signed in - quite literally impossible. I can’t access any of my accounts or emails to let someone know that I can’t reach them or complete assignments. As a college
  18. [R12] 1/5 · US Backup not working: Backup not working and all my logins gone after replacing my phone Till yet i got an error when trying to login
  19. [R15] 1/5 · US Inability to setup a new device is poor: If I have an iCloud backup I should be able to restore quickly on an emergency device if my primary device is inaccessible
  20. [R19] 1/5 · US No backup capability: Authenticator is a single point of failure. If I lose my phone I won’t be able to login to my accounts. Google’s app lets you use it on multiple phones.
  21. [R25] 5/5 · US Five star review loses points for lack of back up instructions: App works great. I had to wipe my iPhone and reinstall all of the apps. All of my app data was lost and I was unable to get back into some of my accounts that failed to reload when the app reinstalled itself. Be sure to have multiple ways to access your account, including a mobile number and email address in case your device is stolen
  22. [R10] 1/5 · US Confusing: This thing sends you into loops and is not user friendly at all!
  23. [R13] 1/5 · US Painful to use: Compared with Keeper and Google auth, this app is very finicky about adding new auth methods. God help you should you get a new iPhone.
  24. [R50] 1/5 · US no dark mode: very hard to see anything in this app when you have light sensitivity, the font is too thin and I can’t tell the difference between 6, 8 and 9, sometimes 0. Please add dark mode, it can’t be that hard to do.
  25. [R160] 3/5 · US So hard to use and understand what’s going on: So hard to use and understand what’s going on. Not user friendly.
  26. [R1] 1/5 · US Glitchy: Does not display two-digit code to approve
  27. [R7] 1/5 · US Impossible design: On the iPhone 16 it first displays the 6 digit code number to enter, but then it covers the number with an unmovable screen in the middle to enter the number previously shown!
  28. [R24] 1/5 · US Real help unavailable: When attempting to log into my WFM account, the Authenticator continues to give me codes that the Amazon login screen says is not a valid code. WFM cannot help me and there are 85,000 questions posted to the Authenticator app of which you have useless responses by fellow frustrated Consumers.
  29. [R118] 3/5 · US Unreliable: It worked fine when I had used early needed it recently, now codes and notifications aren’t showing up on the app which is very frustrating when my college and outlook needs me to use it!
  30. [R17] 1/5 · US Work switched from duo, wish I could go back: This app works, and that's about it. If you're screen is locked and you get a prompt, you have to unlock the screen, select the notification, wait for authenticator to load, sign in to authenticator, AND THEN you can approve or deny the generic request. Duo used to say company VPN login whereas Microsoft doesn't even tell you what originated the reques
  31. [R23] 3/5 · US One more hoop: Come on Microsoft, now I have to unlock the Authenticator? How many more hoops do we have to jump through. You ever wonder why people hate Microsoft.
  32. [R48] 2/5 · US “Over” Authenticator: It does its job, but falls short in the “stay out of the way as much as possible” department. Whenever I open the app it runs facial scan twice. Then, after typing a 2FA code it runs facial scan again…twice! This app knows my face better than my mother does at this point.
  33. [R406] 3/5 · GB Frustrating: Frustrating to use as an iPhone. The fact that you can't unhide password entry to log into this app is ridiculous. Causes so many incorrect passwords.
  34. [R11] 1/5 · US Waste of time: Absolute waste of time can’t even use my phone to sign in! Absolute waste of time the fact you have to still use a computer so Stupid!
  35. [R2] 1/5 · US Broken: An absurd amount of errors for such a well funded app
  36. [R22] 1/5 · US Work Account not working on Authenticator: Hello, my work account is not working on your application, unfortunately, my work FCPA uses your application. I can't access my account, mail, or apps. Please fix

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store