Microsoft Authenticator removed password autofill—and now your saved logins seem “gone”: how to get your passwords back (and stop future lockouts) in 2026
The problem (and who it hits)
If you used Microsoft Authenticator as a lightweight password manager—saving passwords inside the app and relying on it to autofill in apps and websites—you may now see one (or more) of these in 2026:- Autofill no longer works.
- The Passwords/Autofill experience is missing or looks empty.
- You switched phones and can’t find what you saved.
- You’re worried you’ll lose access to accounts that required codes/passkeys.
This affects everyday users and small teams because Authenticator is commonly installed for MFA, and many people also used its password features without realizing those features were being retired.
Why it’s happening
Microsoft discontinued autofill in Authenticator and removed access to saved personal info inside the app as part of a shift to consolidate credential management into Microsoft Edge.Microsoft’s own support timeline says:
- June 2025: adding/importing new passwords in Authenticator stopped
- July 2025: autofill in Authenticator stopped
- mid‑August 2025: saved passwords/addresses were no longer accessible in Authenticator
Microsoft also states that passwords and addresses are synced to your Microsoft account and remain accessible via Microsoft Edge (even though they’re no longer accessible in Authenticator). [1]
Solution 1 (best for most people): Get your saved passwords back via Microsoft Edge
This is the “official path” Microsoft is steering people toward.Step-by-step
1. Confirm which Microsoft account you used - On your phone, identify the Microsoft account you typically used with Authenticator (the one that would have been used for syncing).2. Install Microsoft Edge on your phone
- If you already have it, update it.
3. Sign in to Edge with the same Microsoft account
- Use the same Microsoft account that Authenticator used for syncing.
4. Open Edge’s password manager
- Look for saved passwords in Edge’s settings/password area.
5. Set Edge as your phone’s autofill provider (optional but recommended)
- On iOS/Android, go to system settings and set Edge as the autofill/password provider so logins fill automatically.
Why this works: Microsoft’s support documentation says saved passwords and addresses are synced to your Microsoft account and accessible in Edge after the change. [1]
Solution 2: Export from Authenticator (if you still can) and import into a different password manager
If you don’t want to use Edge long-term (or you want a backup), migrate to another password manager.Step-by-step
1. Open Authenticator and check if Export is available - In Authenticator settings, look for an Export Passwords option.2. Export your passwords
- Follow Authenticator’s prompts to export.
3. Import into your chosen password manager
- Most password managers support CSV imports.
4. Lock down the exported file
- Delete the exported file after import (and empty “Recently Deleted” if applicable).
This approach is widely recommended in coverage of the retirement (and is a common safety best practice whenever exporting credentials). [2]
Solution 3: If you changed phones and lost MFA codes: restore Authenticator credentials (or re-add accounts)
The password/autofill change is one issue—but many people are simultaneously dealing with phone upgrades and fear of lockout.Microsoft Authenticator supports backup and restore of account credentials, but with important constraints:
- You can only backup/restore on the same device type (iOS→iOS or Android→Android). [3]
Step-by-step (restore path)
1. On the new phone, install Microsoft Authenticator 2. Use the restore flow - Sign in and attempt to restore credentials from cloud backup. 3. If you see “Sign in to restore your account” - Tap it and complete the additional verification Microsoft requires. [4]If restore fails
- Re-add accounts one by one (each service has its own MFA reset flow).
- For work/school accounts, involve your IT admin—some orgs require admin-assisted re-enrollment.
Solution 4: Prevent this next time (before you switch phones)
Even if you’ve recovered your passwords, reduce future risk now:1. Turn on Authenticator backup
- Microsoft’s guidance explains how to back up Authenticator credentials (and again notes the same-device-type restriction). [3]
2. Store backup codes offline for critical accounts
- For email, banking, payroll, domain registrar, and password manager accounts.
3. Add at least two recovery methods
- A recovery email plus a phone number (or hardware key/passkey where supported).
4. Do a “phone upgrade rehearsal”
- Before wiping an old phone, confirm you can sign into your email + password manager + Microsoft account from another device.
Quick checklist
Use this when things feel broken:- [ ] I understand Authenticator password/autofill was retired in 2025 (not a random bug).
- [ ] I signed into Microsoft Edge with the same Microsoft account as Authenticator.
- [ ] I checked Edge’s saved passwords.
- [ ] I set Edge as the autofill provider (if I want autofill).
- [ ] If I changed phones: I attempted Authenticator restore and handled “Sign in to restore your account.”
- [ ] I enabled Authenticator backup for future phone changes.
- [ ] I saved MFA backup codes for my most important accounts.
FAQ
1) Did Microsoft Authenticator stop doing 2FA codes?
No. Microsoft’s change is about password management/autofill. Authenticator continues to support MFA and passkeys, while Edge becomes the primary place for saved passwords/autofill. [1]2) When exactly did the change happen?
Microsoft’s support documentation describes a phased change: add/import stopped in June 2025, autofill stopped in July 2025, and saved personal info became inaccessible in Authenticator in mid‑August 2025. [1]3) I can’t see passwords in Authenticator—are they deleted forever?
Not necessarily. Microsoft states that saved passwords and addresses are synced to your Microsoft account and can be accessed in Edge. If you can’t find them in Edge, confirm you’re signed into the correct Microsoft account. [1]4) I got a new phone and my Authenticator accounts didn’t transfer—why?
Authenticator backup/restore has prerequisites and a key limitation: you can only restore to the same device type (iOS→iOS, Android→Android). If backup wasn’t enabled, you often must re-add accounts manually. [3]5) What’s the safest long-term setup?
Use a dedicated password manager (or Edge if you prefer Microsoft’s ecosystem), keep Authenticator (or another MFA app) for 2FA/passkeys, and store backup codes offline for your most critical accounts.Key Takeaways
- Microsoft Authenticator’s password/autofill features were retired in 2025; in 2026 it can look like your passwords “disappeared,” but Microsoft says they’re accessible via Edge. [1]
- Sign into Microsoft Edge with the same Microsoft account to recover and manage saved passwords. [1]
- If you’re switching phones, enable and test Authenticator backup/restore ahead of time—and remember iOS↔Android restores aren’t supported. [3]
- Export/import your passwords if you’re moving away from Edge (and securely delete the export afterward). [2]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Facts: Microsoft discontinued password autofill in Microsoft Authenticator (autofill stopped July 2025; saved passwords/addresses no longer accessible in Authenticator by mid‑Aug 2025). Passwords and addresses are synced to the user’s Microsoft account and remain accessible via Microsoft Edge. Users can recover by signing into Edge with the same Microsoft account and setting Edge as the device autofill provider; alternatively export passwords and import into another password manager. Authenticator backup/restore can help avoid MFA lockouts, but restore works only to the same device type (iOS→iOS, Android→Android).Keywords: Microsoft Authenticator passwords gone, Authenticator autofill stopped, recover passwords Edge, Authenticator export passwords, set Edge as autofill provider, Authenticator restore new phone, iOS Android restore limitation, MFA lockout prevention, passkeys, Edge password manager.