Review Insights · App Store
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Corporation · 638,496 ratings · ★ 4.7
4.7
★★★★★
638,496 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 86 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"authenticator"
32 negative reviews mention this · 37% of all complaints
★★★★★ "App will sign me out with no way of signing back in. It will sign me out of my work account, then won’t allow me to sign back in because I need an authenticator code… which I can’t get, because I’m signed out of the Authenticator app. My work team is small and these things take a while to res…" - andrestm
2
"work"
23 negative reviews mention this · 27% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Bad. Microsoft can’t help themselves from making bad software! It’s in their blood and you know what… They are damn good at it!!! Keep the bad work up! Can’t wait for the next update. I have a few more hairs left to pull out." - Realtruth33
3
"account"
23 negative reviews mention this · 27% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Could be good but has problems. I’ve used this app for years. It should be good, but the app has serious issues, at least for me. The biggest problem is that authentication code absolutely will NOT sync across devices. So if I need to log into an account, I have to use an…" - CyclingSS
4
"code"
22 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Could be good but has problems. I’ve used this app for years. It should be good, but the app has serious issues, at least for me. The biggest problem is that authentication code absolutely will NOT sync across devices. So if I need to log into an account, I have to use an…" - CyclingSS
5
"into"
21 negative reviews mention this · 24% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I can never get into 2 of my emails. It sucks!!!!" - Coupons at Ulta
6
"phone"
21 negative reviews mention this · 24% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Could be good but has problems. I’ve used this app for years. It should be good, but the app has serious issues, at least for me. The biggest problem is that authentication code absolutely will NOT sync across devices. So if I need to log into an account, I have to use an…" - CyclingSS
7
"microsoft"
20 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Bad. Microsoft can’t help themselves from making bad software! It’s in their blood and you know what… They are damn good at it!!! Keep the bad work up! Can’t wait for the next update. I have a few more hairs left to pull out." - Realtruth33
8
"trying"
17 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Could be good but has problems. I’ve used this app for years. It should be good, but the app has serious issues, at least for me. The biggest problem is that authentication code absolutely will NOT sync across devices. So if I need to log into an account, I have to use an…" - CyclingSS
9
"sign"
14 negative reviews mention this · 16% of all complaints
★★★★★ "App will sign me out with no way of signing back in. It will sign me out of my work account, then won’t allow me to sign back in because I need an authenticator code… which I can’t get, because I’m signed out of the Authenticator app. My work team is small and these things take a while to res…" - andrestm
10
"doesn"
12 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Doesn’t work. When you need it, it doesn’t work automatically, you have to troubleshoot then get codes manually. A headache" - Cisco1127
11
"authentication"
11 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Could be good but has problems. I’ve used this app for years. It should be good, but the app has serious issues, at least for me. The biggest problem is that authentication code absolutely will NOT sync across devices. So if I need to log into an account, I have to use an…" - CyclingSS
12
"login"
10 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Endless Loop. Leave it to Microsoft to create and app that requires you to need the app to login to the same app in an endless loop." - derp-de-derp
📋 All 86 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
I can never get into 2 of my emails
It sucks!!!!
Bad
Microsoft can’t help themselves from making bad software! It’s in their blood and you know what… They are damn good at it!!! Keep the bad work up!
Can’t wait for the next update. I have a few more hairs left to pull out.
Can’t wait for the next update. I have a few more hairs left to pull out.
Dumbest app
To log in my work account in the app, I need to open the app and approve the request.
Endless Loop
Leave it to Microsoft to create and app that requires you to need the app to login to the same app in an endless loop.
Garbage
Trying to log in on new phone, but it requires to use Authenticator to login to Authenticator
Log in loop
I’m not sure whose genius idea it was, but when you’re locked out of both Authenticator and your email account, there’s no way to get back in. When you try to sign into your email, it asks for a code from Authenticator. But the problem is, if you’re locked out of Authenticator you can’t get a code because you’re locked out of your email account. Do you see how ridiculous this is?? You get stuck in an endless loop of trying to sign in. Fix this
165 MB
165.8 MB for an app that generates random numbers. App updates include "New features" and "improved performance"? What a joke!!
Unable to move from Android to IOS
Hi, still cannot migrate my android Authenticator data to IOS, Google and other providers able to do it
Worst authentication app
Tell me why it tries to direct me to the app when I’m trying to sign in to my account…on the app?
Utter nonsense. It’s quite a shame that most companies and businesses use Microsoft because this app is garbage
Utter nonsense. It’s quite a shame that most companies and businesses use Microsoft because this app is garbage
Hard for a 75 year old lady
Just want to get into my email at hotmail help
Doesn’t work
When you need it, it doesn’t work automatically, you have to troubleshoot then get codes manually. A headache
iPhone Transfer Terrible
I am three weeks in and still unable to function. Nothing transferred over correctly and nothing works. This is the first time this has happened.
Just does not work
Microsoft PLEASE listen. I was trying to sign into outlook with my college email. It said I had to input my Microsoft authenticator code. I thought “no big deal, I just have to download the app and set up my account with that.” Well, I try setting up the account, so I log in to that email with my password and it’s asking me to put in my verification code. I don’t have a verification code. I’m trying to make an account. I cannot have a verification code without an account. I am trying to make an account. And it’s asking me for a code. DO YOU SEE THE ISSUE HERE? And if I click “sign in another way” it takes me to the same exact screen, there is no other way. This is like Groundhog Day but instead of reliving the same day over and over I am being sent to the same screen over and over and being asked for a code I literally can’t get. This happened even after I set it up with my normal personal email first. I just can’t add my school email. Why would you program your app like this? I literally cannot access outlook which is extremely important for my communication with my instructors because you have made your app this way. Do you like human suffering?
Worst app ever
NEVER WORKS AND ITS REQUIRED FOR EVERYTHING
Does Not Function Well
I've had this app for years and found it reassuring because I could report hacker attempts. Since the app changed, I cannot see any new attempts and cannot report them like before.
Since the latest update, the app has alerted me twice that the same person has attempted to access my account. When I go into the app to report it, I cannot log in at all. After closing the app, I finally get in, but it shows nothing.
Unless this app gets fixed in a way that it's worth using again, I'm going to find something else.
Since the latest update, the app has alerted me twice that the same person has attempted to access my account. When I go into the app to report it, I cannot log in at all. After closing the app, I finally get in, but it shows nothing.
Unless this app gets fixed in a way that it's worth using again, I'm going to find something else.
Peak stupid
Trying to log into Authenticator after a phone swap and the MS log-in service wants me to tap a number in the Authenticator app to authenticate my log in - which I’m not logged into yet - idiots. Txt and email a code worked on the third trip around the goat rope.
Not working
Super horrible makes you go into circles. Worst app
Flawed
You need the Authenticator to log in to the Authenticator so what do I do?
Trash.
One of the worst Authenticator apps ever if you ever need to update the phone number that’s tied to it. Let me know if this makes sense. In order to sign into the Microsoft authenticator like if you get a new phone and then change your phone number you have to have access to the phone number that was tied to a previously even if you have access to the phone number, it will ask you to authenticate it through the Microsoft authenticator which you’re trying to sign into to be able to approve a sign in in the first place. Long story short you have to have access to the Microsoft authenticator to approve a Microsoft authenticator sign in attempt even if you don’t have access. Absolute garbage.
Not working
I’m a student using this to get onto onshape. each time I attempt to sign into this app, it tells me to put the password into the app but I can’t because I’m not signed in and then I try to do it by going out then back in, there’s nothing to input 88, then I retry and the same thing happens. each time I attempt to sign into onshape, it says the same thing and drags me to this app to sign into the app. This does not work, I wish it did so that I could get my homework done.
Circles
I have an account that I keep trying to sign into, but it is requiring me to sign in using Authenticator app. So in order to sign in with the Authenticator app I have to sign in with the Authenticator app. And it goes round and round.
Impossible to resolve problems
I have been trying for days to add my work back to my phone and have been unable to do so since this app doesn’t give me anything but a hard time to get it set up. Absolute garbage would not recommend to use if you get a new device
MS Authenticator
Horrible, confusing process
FREE Trial ain’t free
Had this app at one point and it disappeared. So trying to re-install only to find that they want money. So disappointing!
Too hard to retrieve your own password
It signed me out on authenticator and I can’t remember my password and every time I try and all their steps to get my password back either wants to send me to my email which I cant access because I am signed out. Or it gets to the phone number section and tells me. This is not working try later and of course you try to call customer service but they just refer you to the website. So I haven’t been able to check my email in days which I need to.
Very confusing
Hate it
Most dysfunctional app I’ve ever used
Extremely prone to incompatibility with iPhone, will send you on endless loops to authenticate logins specifically with outlook. Very rare does it work right the first time.
WTF
I open the app that then prompts me to open the same app I’m on and enter the code. I cannot access my Outlook email at all from mobile. Every attempt there’s an issue. Reddit seems to have a ton of people with this issue, as do people in my personal life.
Ugh
It continues to try to download even after deleting the app from the phone. Deleting the mail account won’t work either. It’s just a big build every single day.
QR code scan doesn’t load
QR scan does not work
MS doesn’t even understand their own products.
After several attempts using Copilot to figure out how to transfer MS Authenticator to a new phone, I realized Copilot was not able to provide accurate instructions. How frustrating Microsoft doesn’t have up-to-date documentation on its own products.
Never works
Don’t even know if this is the Microsoft Authenticator app or what is is. Doesn’t show
Inconvenient
Always some error code preventing sign in, unnecessary hassle to sign in
Sucks
This product is a royal pain in the rear. One update with a related product and I can’t get logged in to anything requiring the use of this garbage app.
Authenticator not working on any device no help in sight
I have been trying to access the Authenticator app for weeks and it asks for code or approve but nothing appears in the app on any of my devices
Dis-Ease of Use
Took a full dozen tries to reestablish my login upon switching to a new phone. The app would accept a password, accept a 1-time code, and still not log me in.
Do not install update 6.8.45
They have now added jailbreak detection into 6.8.45 - 6.8.44 was the last working version.
Who in there right minds limits the amount of users?
No wonder Microsoft is going down the drain. I can’t even turn off tweak injection to make this work you just care about my full system when you are a small part of that system.
Who in there right minds limits the amount of users?
No wonder Microsoft is going down the drain. I can’t even turn off tweak injection to make this work you just care about my full system when you are a small part of that system.
Don’t forget to have two 2FAs
Unlike Google Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator will lose all of your authentication tokens if you reset your phone. If you do not have another form of 2FA set up, you’re effectively locked out of your own accounts. Way to make things harder than they need to be, Microsoft. Does anyone there actually use the products they produce? If they did, I don’t think things like this would happen.
Doesn’t work
I guess the app updated and all my stuff is gone. Now I can’t seem to use it - and I can’t log into my account on the computer without this authentication app - but I try to log into the authentication app and it tells me I need the code from the authentication app that I can’t even get. So what do I do??????
A never-ending cycle of nightmares
This app is one cyclical nightmare. You go to log in and it takes you in a never-ending circle of “enter your password” to “put in your code” which half the time you can’t even see because you’re already in the app and it won’t refresh. Then it makes you input your password again and then back to code over and over again.
WORSE APP EVER
I don’t usually make reviews but this app is terrible and so to get stuck with and lock your account.
Sucks
Cannot get this stupid app to work for the life of me. Updated it and everything and have a decent phone (iPhone 17). I need it for work and college and cannot see my emails because of this issue.
Stuck in auth loop
Trying to login to teams and can’t because I need authenticator to get past enterprise 2FA, but the way microslop setup the auth loop on mobile makes the 2FA requiring authenticator open IN AUTHENTICATOR so I can’t use the code. Typical microslop garbage
Not able to sign in
Seems like there is an ongoing issue with the app. There is a thread on Microsoft website with no answers. My authenticator app is signed out (due to getting a new phone). My outlook app on my Mac is signed in and I’m unable to sign into my outlook account via browser because it is asking to approve notifications in the authenticator app. The authenticator app is asking to approve notifications from itself and or enter a code but yet nothing comes through. Is there a solution to this or can someone from Microsoft address the issue and give us answers/solutions?
SUCKS!
This app SUCKS! I only downloaded because my school needed it to verify… VERIFICATION NEVER WORKS. !!!
Five prompts just to reset password, just to restore my laptop after bitlocker error
I have seen many convoluted authentication methods in the last 15-20 years working in software. But this might be the worst one yet, all the more frustrating considering I’m trying using the Authenticator (which had signed me out of my Microsoft account but my vpn is still signed in somehow) to login to /myrecoverykey because my windows 11 laptop has given me a new blue screen of death. Bad timing to prompt me to write a review Microsoft :(
Stopped generating 2FA codes. Now I’m locked out of my business account.
To make matters worse, Microsoft makes it impossible to speak to a human being to try to fix the problem.
Tracking
I do not like how this application died so much tracking. I don't use these things unless my job requires it. Once they require it, I require that they give me a phone or optional way to log in. My phone isn't for anyone to be tracked except those to do so.
Insufferable
Microsoft thinks it makes total sense to link your data to the DEVICE itself instead of staying within the app like a normal system. Weird. Now you’re fighting with IT all day for help logging in because it’s OUR fault that we got a new device….A login that should’ve taken 2 seconds took all day. Cannot explain my intense rage thanks to this convoluted clown show
Wrong format every time downloaded app
App sends 6 digits
Code should be 2 numbers in a circle to click on
Week after week
Code should be 2 numbers in a circle to click on
Week after week
+ 36 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
94%
Positive (4-5★)
1%
Neutral (3★)
5%
Negative (1-2★)