Microsoft's Authenticator app is one of the most popular password storage solutions that you can find on your phone and PC, yet anyone who currently relies on it will have to find an alternative right now as your passwords will be deleted in just days.
While expert hackers recommend that you rely on nothing more than a pen and paper to store your passwords, there are few better digital options than a safe and reliable authenticator app.
Not only are your passwords protected here from cybercriminals, but it also allows you to take advantage of auto-fill when browsing the web, meaning that logging in to anywhere you have an account shouldn't take more than a second.
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Most people already have the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-factor codes in conjunction with Teams and other popular work-based accounts, so it makes sense for you to also use it for your passwords.
However, Microsoft have made the controversial decision to completely remove password support for the Authenticator app, giving millions of users just days to find a new home for their digital keys.
When are passwords being deleted from Microsoft Authenticator?
As reported by the Metro, any users of the Authenticator app will have likely already noticed that they've not been able to add or import any new passwords to the platform, which was implemented across June.
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From July onwards you won't be able to use the autofill function any more, although you will be able to head into the app and view your passwords for a short while longer.
August 2025 is the date you definitely need to be aware of though, as that's when Microsoft will begin to delete all saved passwords inside the Authenticator app.
The tech giant hasn't given any indication of a specific date when this will happen, so it's best that you get sorted with an alternative solution this month before you realize that it's too late.
Thankfully you can export your data to another password storage service, allowing you to move all your data over to somewhere like Google or Apple's options with just a few steps.
How to export passwords from Microsoft Authenticator
Here's everything you need to do to export your passwords and data from Microsoft Authenticator for use on another storage service:
- Open Microsoft Authenticator and press the three vertical dots or three horizon lines button
- Navigate to the 'Settings' menu and scroll down to the 'Autofill' section
- Select 'Export Passwords' and then 'Export'
- Choose a folder where you want the exported file to go to, and then select 'Save'
From here you then need to follow the import instructions on whatever platform you choose to now store your passwords on, but that shouldn't be more than a few extra steps.
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You might also want to think about using the opportunity to store your passwords completely offline if cybersecurity is a particular concern for you, as while it is definitely more inconvenient, it's definitely the safest option.
Why are Microsoft deleting passwords?
Microsoft's motivation behind the change is because the company believes that passwords in general aren't secure enough to continue supporting in the current digital climate.
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It revealed that it blocks around 7,000 attacks on passwords every single second, which was almost doubled in the last year alone. It has forecast that passwords will soon be a thing of the past, with most companies shifting to biometric-powered passcodes being the option of the future.
Microsoft is now effectively ripping off the bandaid of password support, and while it might seem earlier than necessary, the company believes it is necessary to help keep its customers safe online.