Passwordless sign in with the Microsoft Authenticator App makes sign in to Azure and Microsoft 365 cloud services more secure and convenient for the user. The typing of a password is replaced by a modern method, e.g. the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Passwordless sign-in to cloud apps can be achieved using various methods:
- Windows Hello for Business
- Microsoft Authenticator App
- FIDO2 Security Keys
For a significant increase of identities security, the cost-effective variant with the Microsoft Authenticator App is the best choice.
Prerequisites and Licensing
- Microsoft Authenticator app is installed in the latest version on iOS or Android
- Microsoft Entra multi-factor authentication (MFA) is set up with push notification to users smartphones
(see blogpost User guide: Enabling multi-factor authentication – cloudcoffee.ch) - The device with the Authenticator app is registered in Microsoft Entra to a user during configuration
- Passwordless sign-in can be enabled only on one Microsoft tenant per Authenticator app
- no additional license is needed
Preparations
Enable authentication methods
For a cost-effective and secure implementation, we use the variant with the Microsoft Authenticator App in this tutorial.
The Microsoft Authenticator authentication method is configured in the Microsoft Entra admin center (https://entra.microsoft.com).
Enable Protection > Authentication methods > Policies > Microsoft Authenticator.
User guide
Set sign in method
Register Microsoft Authenticator App
Open Microsoft Authenticator App, select user account and Enable phone sign-in and sign-in.
Microsoft Authenticator App on the mobile device is now registered for passwordless sign-in.
Switch to passwordless sign-in
During the login process, the user can switch to passwordless sign-in.
In the Microsoft Authenticator app on the mobile device, the displayed number can now be entered to successfully complete the login.
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