MICROSOFT AUTHENTICATOR PASSKEY

Complete Screenshot Tutorial for Existing Users

Use this guide if: You already use Microsoft Authenticator for your college account and need to add a passkey. If you have not yet setup Microsoft Authenticator click here for instructions on how to setup Microsoft Authenticator  https://mediaserver.uaptc.edu/content/itservices/mfa.pdf

 

Before you begin

•  Have your computer and mobile phone with you.

•  Update Microsoft Authenticator from the Apple App Store or Google Play if needed.

•  Enable internet and Bluetooth on both devices.

•  Make sure your phone has a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition configured.

•  iPhone requires Software version 17 or later. Android requires Software version 14 or later.

Important: Do not remove your existing Authenticator method. The passkey is added as another sign-in method.

 

Part 1 — Start on your computer

Step 1: Open Microsoft Security info

On the computer, open https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info . Sign in with your college email address and approve your normal MFA request.

Step 2: Add the passkey method

Select + Add sign-in method. In the list, select Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator, and then select Add or Next.

Actual Microsoft screen: select “Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator.”

Step 3: Continue the setup wizard

Complete any MFA verification Microsoft requests. When the wizard says to complete setup in Authenticator, leave this browser window open and move to your phone.

Actual Microsoft screen: leave this wizard open while completing setup on the phone.

 

 

Part 2A — iPhone setup

Step 4: Open your account in Authenticator

Open Microsoft Authenticator. If your college account is already present, tap the account and then tap Create a passkey. Complete MFA if prompted.

Step 5: Enable Authenticator as a passkey provider

When Authenticator displays the passkey-provider message, tap Settings.

Actual iPhone screen: tap Settings to enable Authenticator as a passkey provider.

Step 6: Turn on passkey AutoFill

For iOS 18 or later, open Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords. For iOS 17, open Settings > Passwords > Password Options. Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys, then select Authenticator under AutoFill From.

Actual iPhone settings: make sure Authenticator is enabled under AutoFill From.

Step 7: Finish in Authenticator

Return to Microsoft Authenticator and tap Done. The account should report that a passkey was added.

 

 

Part 2B — Android setup

Step 4: Open your account in Authenticator

Open Microsoft Authenticator. Tap your college account and then tap Create a passkey. Complete MFA if prompted.

Actual Android screen: tap Create a passkey for the college account.

Step 5: Allow Authenticator to store passkeys

When prompted, tap Settings. The wording can vary by phone manufacturer.

Actual Android screen: open Settings to allow Authenticator to save passkeys.

Step 6: Enable Authenticator as a provider

Open Passwords & accounts or search phone Settings for “Passkey.” Under Additional providers, turn on Authenticator.

Actual Android settings: open password and passkey options.

Actual Android settings: enable Authenticator under Additional providers.

Step 7: Finish in Authenticator

Return to Microsoft Authenticator and tap Done. The account should show that the passkey was added.

Android note: Menu names differ between Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and other manufacturers. If Android 14 does not allow Authenticator as a passkey provider, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Android 15 when available.

 

 

 

Part 3 — Finish on the computer

Step 8: Return to the browser

Return to the Security info browser window and select Next. Microsoft will verify the passkey.

Step 9: Complete registration

When Microsoft confirms that the passkey was created, select Done.

Actual Microsoft confirmation screen: select Done.

Step 10: Verify the new method

On the Security info page, confirm that Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator appears in your list of sign-in methods.

Actual Microsoft Security info page showing the registered iPhone passkey.

Actual Microsoft Security info page showing the registered Android passkey.

 

 

Part 4 — Test the passkey

Step 1: Open a private browser window

Open an InPrivate or Incognito browser window and go to https://myapps.microsoft.com .

Step 2: On the sign in screen

Click Sign-in-options.

Step 3: Choose another sign-in method

Select Sign-in options, then choose Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key.

Step 4: Approve on the phone

Follow the prompts and approve with Microsoft Authenticator using your face, fingerprint, phone PIN, or scan the QR code.

Step 5: Confirm access

Microsoft 365 should open without requiring your account password.

Success means: The passkey appears in Security info and you can use the phone’s secure unlock method to sign in.

 

Troubleshooting

Passkey is not listed: Contact IT. Your account may not yet be included in the college passkey deployment group.

Authenticator is not available as a provider: Update Authenticator and the phone operating system, then check the password/passkey provider settings again.

Computer cannot connect to the phone: Verify Bluetooth and internet access on both devices. Keep the devices close together.

Passkey already exists error: Contact IT before deleting anything. The passkey may exist on the phone but not be fully registered with Microsoft.

Lost or replaced phone: Contact IT so the old authentication method can be removed safely and a new passkey registered.

Source: Microsoft Learn — Register passkeys in Authenticator on Android and iOS devices (updated July 6, 2026). Screenshots © Microsoft and reproduced for instructional use.

Microsoft reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/how-to-register-passkey-authenticator