You Have Until June 1 To Save Your Passwords, Microsoft Warns App Users

A warning has been issued by Microsoft to its app users: starting June 1, the Authenticator app will no longer be able to save new passwords. This change is part of a broader shift in security emphasis from the app to the browser, with Microsoft aiming to move every user away from the weak world of security that legacy passwords represent and into a brave new, much stronger one of passkeys.

The Microsoft Authenticator app has been more than just a 2FA code generator for quite some while now. In fact, many would argue that it has been gradually positioned as the default password manager for Microsoft users. With its ability to save passwords and autofill them across both Android and iOS platforms, it's no wonder that many have come to rely on it.

However, this house of password cards is about to come crashing down. Starting in June, massive changes will be made to how the Authenticator app works. Users will no longer be able to save any new passwords, and in July, Microsoft will phase out the use of autofill in the app. By August, “your saved passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator,” Microsoft has said.

The app will continue to support passkeys, however, and Microsoft has advised that “if you have set up Passkeys for your Microsoft Account, ensure that Authenticator remains enabled as your Passkey Provider.” If you disable Authenticator, you will also disable your passkeys.

So, what now? Microsoft really wants users to embrace the password management functionality of the Edge browser, stating that “your saved passwords (but not your generated password history) and addresses are securely synced to your Microsoft account, and you can continue to access them and enjoy seamless autofill functionality with Microsoft Edge.”

The Rise of Passkey Technology

Passkey technology is not some new thing that has just appeared out of the ether. In fact, it was initially launched in 2012 with the FIDO Alliance foundation, supported by Apple, Google and Microsoft.

To understand why they are more secure than passwords, who better to explain than Katherine Holdsworth, a partner group product manager at Microsoft? She said that this will mean being able to “navigate to a website that supports passkeys and get prompted to select how you want to save your passkeys.”

Proper support for third-party passkey providers using an application programming interface will mean that password managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden will be able to allow users to connect directly to the Windows 11 platform.

The Limitations of Microsoft Authenticator

We must admit, folks. The Microsoft Authenticator app was never a genuine password manager in the accepted sense of the word. It was a code-generating authentication app, that’s it. Sure, Microsoft added a few bells and whistles along the way, but you can’t turn a bush into a Christmas tree just by adding tinsel.

Let's be honest here folks, the Microsoft Authenticator app was never meant to replace a proper password manager. And if you're looking for an alternative, there are plenty of options available. Apple’s own Passwords app is a great choice, and it's free to use and competes very nicely with other password managers.

If you do want a bit more by way of additional feature sets and cross-platform usage, then I’d recommend 1Password, which I use with my Windows and Android devices. It’s not free, but it is feature-packed and has been a long-time player in the industry, which means you can trust your passwords and your data with it, no matter what operating system or machine you are on.

What Does This Mean for You?

Users will be able to use “the same passkey on Windows 11 that you’ve created on your mobile device.” Proper support for third-party passkey providers using an application programming interface will mean that password managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden will be able to allow users to connect directly to the Windows 11 platform.

This change is a significant one, and it's essential to take advantage of it. By transitioning to a proper password manager, you can enjoy better security and peace of mind when managing your online credentials.