Microsoft Phases Out Authenticator Password Autofill: Transition to Edge for Enhanced Security!

Microsoft has revealed that it will end the password storage and autofill feature in the Authenticator app. This will start in July and finish by August 2025. The goal is to streamline features and focus password management in Microsoft Edge.

If you use the Authenticator app, act quickly. You have until August 1, 2025, to export your information. After that, you risk losing it.

The Microsoft Authenticator app is free and available on both iOS and Android. It provides secure sign-ins using multi-factor authentication methods like time-based one-time passwords, push notifications, or biometrics.

Launched in December 2020, the autofill feature allowed users to automatically fill in their credentials saved in the Authenticator app. However, this will change under the new plan. The phase-out will occur in three steps:

• June 2025: You can no longer save new passwords in Authenticator.
• July 2025: Autofill will stop working, and stored payment info will be deleted.
• August 2025: Saved and unsaved passwords will no longer be accessible.

Microsoft is moving these features to Edge. If you want to keep using autofill, you’ll need to install Microsoft Edge on your phone (iOS, Android).

According to Microsoft, “Your saved passwords and addresses are securely synced to your Microsoft account, allowing for seamless autofill with Microsoft Edge.” To ensure your passwords migrate, set Edge as your preferred service in your device’s settings, sign in with your Microsoft account, and your passwords will sync.

If Edge isn’t your choice, you can export your passwords to another password manager, but remember to do this by August 1, 2025. For payment information, the deadline is July 2025. To export passwords, go to menu > Settings > Autofill > Export Passwords, select an export location, and click ‘Save.’

For security reasons, payment info will need to be entered manually into whichever service you choose. Meanwhile, Microsoft will continue to support Passkeys in the Authenticator, so ensure the app is active as your Passkey Provider.

This shift reflects a broader trend in tech, as companies streamline user experiences to enhance security and ease of use. Experts believe that consolidating password management can reduce vulnerabilities. A recent survey showed that 81% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords. So, transitioning to more secure and centralized platforms could help mitigate these risks.

In conclusion, make sure to migrate your information soon if you rely on Microsoft Authenticator for password management, as this change could impact how you safeguard your online accounts.

For more detailed information about this update, you can check out Microsoft’s official announcement.

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