The problem (and who it hits)
If you used Microsoft Authenticator as your password manager/autofill provider on iPhone or Android, you may have noticed that:- Autofill suddenly stopped working.
- You can’t add/import new passwords like before.
- Saved passwords/addresses aren’t accessible inside Authenticator anymore.
This is especially painful for people who stored “everything” in Authenticator and didn’t keep a second copy elsewhere: freelancers, families, students, and small teams who just wanted a simple cross-device autofill setup.
Why it’s happening (what changed in 2025)
Microsoft has been streamlining autofill and password management away from Authenticator and into Microsoft Edge. According to Microsoft’s support documentation, the change rolled out in stages:- June 2025: Authenticator stopped allowing users to add or import new passwords.
- July 2025: Authenticator autofill stopped working.
- Mid‑August 2025: saved personal info (including passwords and addresses) became no longer accessible in Authenticator.
Microsoft states that passwords and addresses that were synced are available via Microsoft Edge (tied to your Microsoft account). (support.microsoft.com)
Separately, Microsoft also emphasizes that Authenticator is still meant for MFA and passkeys—it isn’t “shutting down” as an authentication app; it’s losing the password-manager role. (theverge.com)
Solution 1 (recommended if you want the least friction): Move your passwords to Microsoft Edge
This works best if you already sign into Windows/Outlook/OneDrive with a Microsoft account, or if you’re fine using Edge on mobile.Step-by-step
1. Install Microsoft Edge on your phone (iOS/Android). 2. Sign in to Edge with the same Microsoft account that Authenticator used for syncing. 3. In Edge, confirm you can see passwords: - Open Edge Settings → Passwords (wording varies by OS/app version). 4. Set Edge as your autofill provider: - iPhone/iPad: Settings → Apps (or Passwords) → Autofill & Passwords → enable Edge / choose Edge as “Autofill From.” - Android: Settings → Passwords/Password manager (varies) → set Edge as the password manager/autofill service. 5. Test: go to a site/app login screen and try autofill.Why this works: Microsoft’s official guidance is that your synced passwords/addresses remain accessible in Microsoft Edge even after they’re no longer accessible in Authenticator. (support.microsoft.com)
Solution 2 (best if you don’t want Edge): Export from Authenticator and import to another password manager
If you want to move to iCloud Keychain, Bitwarden, 1Password, Google Password Manager, etc., export/import is the cleanest path.Step-by-step (high level)
1. Pick your destination password manager first (so you know what import format it accepts). 2. In Authenticator, look for Export Passwords (if still available in your build/account state). 3. Save the export file securely. 4. Import into your new manager.Microsoft Support also documents password import/export flows and notes the 2025 timeline (autofill stopping in July and passwords becoming inaccessible in August). (support.microsoft.com)
Safety notes (don’t skip)
- Treat exported password files like cash: anyone who gets the file can often read it.
- Import on a device you trust, then delete the export file from Downloads/Files and empty trash.
Solution 3: You can still sign in with passwords—this change is about autofill, not Microsoft account login
Some people panic and assume, “Microsoft is killing passwords.” The practical reality: this specific 2025 change is about Authenticator’s autofill/password-manager feature, not your ability to type passwords manually into Outlook/Bing/etc.Microsoft community guidance repeatedly clarifies it’s the Authenticator autofill feature that changed, and that it doesn’t prevent password sign-in by itself. (learn.microsoft.com)
Solution 4 (if you’re already locked out of accounts): Recover logins the boring way, then rebuild your vault
If you can’t find a credential anywhere: 1. Use each site/app’s “Forgot password” flow. 2. Update the password. 3. Immediately save it into your new password manager (Edge, iCloud, Bitwarden, etc.). 4. Enable MFA on important accounts (banking, email, social).This is slow, but it’s often the only path for accounts that weren’t actually synced (or were saved somewhere else you forgot about).
Quick checklist
- [ ] Confirm whether your passwords appear in Microsoft Edge when signed in. (support.microsoft.com)
- [ ] If using Edge: set Edge as the autofill provider on your phone.
- [ ] If not using Edge: export from Authenticator (if available) and import into your chosen manager. (support.microsoft.com)
- [ ] Delete any exported password files after import.
- [ ] Test autofill on 2–3 apps/sites.
- [ ] Turn on MFA where it matters most.
FAQ
1) Is Microsoft Authenticator being discontinued?
No. Microsoft Authenticator continues for MFA and passkeys; the change is about password management/autofill features being removed from Authenticator. (theverge.com)2) When exactly did autofill stop?
Microsoft’s support timeline says autofill stopped in July 2025, with saved personal info becoming inaccessible in mid‑August 2025. (support.microsoft.com)3) Where did my passwords go?
Microsoft says synced passwords/addresses remain accessible through Microsoft Edge (linked to your Microsoft account), even though they’re no longer accessible inside Authenticator. (support.microsoft.com)4) Do I have to switch to passkeys?
No. Passkeys are encouraged broadly, but this change is about Authenticator’s autofill role. You can continue using passwords; you just need a password manager/autofill provider that still supports autofill (Edge or another manager). (learn.microsoft.com)5) Why did Microsoft do this?
Microsoft’s stated rationale is to streamline/consolidate autofill, moving password management into Microsoft Edge while Authenticator focuses on authentication (MFA/passkeys). (support.microsoft.com)Key Takeaways
- Microsoft removed password saving/autofill from Authenticator in 2025 and shifted password management to Edge.
- If your passwords were synced, they may still be available in Edge after they disappeared from Authenticator.
- If you don’t want Edge, export/import to another password manager—then delete the export file.
- This change affects autofill, not your general ability to type passwords manually.
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Compact facts: Microsoft phased out Microsoft Authenticator password management in 2025: adding/importing passwords stopped in June 2025; autofill stopped in July 2025; by mid‑August 2025 saved passwords/addresses were no longer accessible in Authenticator. Microsoft directs users to Microsoft Edge for password management; passwords and addresses synced to a Microsoft account remain accessible via Edge. Users can migrate by signing into Edge and enabling Edge as the OS autofill provider, or export/import credentials into another password manager.Keywords: Microsoft Authenticator autofill stopped, Authenticator passwords gone, August 2025 Authenticator passwords inaccessible, move passwords to Edge, Edge autofill provider iPhone, Edge password manager Android, export passwords Authenticator, import to Bitwarden, passkeys vs passwords.