Microsoft Authenticator Password Management: What Users Need to Know About the Upcoming Changes

Microsoft is making a significant change to its Authenticator app that will impact millions of users who rely on it for both two-factor authentication and password management. Starting next month, the tech giant will phase out the app’s ability to save and autofill passwords, shifting this functionality entirely to its Edge browser. This move requires immediate attention from users to back up their saved passwords and prepare for a smoother transition to Microsoft Edge’s password management system.

the Changes in Microsoft Authenticator Password Management

Microsoft Authenticator has long been a popular choice for securing online accounts via two-factor authentication (2FA), while also offering users the convenience of storing and autofilling passwords across apps and websites. However, Microsoft announced a major update: starting June 2025, users will no longer be able to save new passwords in the Authenticator app. By July, autofill functionality will be disabled, and come August 2025, users will lose access to any passwords saved within the app.

The password management feature is moving exclusively to Microsoft Edge, which will provide a secure and AI-enhanced browsing experience with built-in password syncing, autofill, and security tools like Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Password Monitor. Users’ saved passwords and addresses will be securely synced to their Microsoft accounts via Edge, but there is an important caveat: payment information stored in Authenticator will not transfer automatically to Edge and will be deleted by the deadline. This means users must manually re-enter their credit card and payment details in Edge if they want to continue using Microsoft’s ecosystem for these services.

For users who utilize the password generator in Authenticator, Microsoft advises saving generated passwords from the generator history before the app’s password management is disabled. The Authenticator app will continue to support passkeys, but it’s critical that the app remains enabled as the Passkey Provider. Disabling it will revoke access to any associated passkeys.

To use Edge’s autofill feature on mobile devices, users must set Edge as their default autofill provider via device settings, whether on iPhone or Android. The process involves downloading the Edge browser, signing in with a Microsoft account, and enabling autofill under the password settings. Android users with work or school passkeys need to ensure the Authenticator toggle is enabled under additional services to avoid disruption.

This transition highlights Microsoft’s focus on consolidating password management into its Edge browser, emphasizing enhanced security and integrated AI features but requiring users to take proactive steps to safeguard their data.

What Undercode Say: Understanding the Impact and Strategic Shift

Microsoft’s decision to phase out password management in the Authenticator app reflects a broader trend toward centralizing user data and security features within multifunctional platforms—like web browsers—rather than standalone apps. From an analytical perspective, this move aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to promote Edge as a comprehensive tool, bundling browsing, password management, payment info, and advanced AI-driven security features.

By shifting password management to Edge, Microsoft leverages the browser’s ability to continuously update and integrate security measures such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Password Monitor, enhancing user protection against phishing, malware, and password breaches. This integration also enables a more seamless user experience across devices, given that Edge syncs data securely with the Microsoft account ecosystem.

However, this transition does present challenges. Users accustomed to the Authenticator app’s all-in-one convenience must now adapt to managing passwords and payment info separately. The deletion of saved payment data in Authenticator without automatic transfer to Edge could cause inconvenience and potential data loss if users don’t manually re-enter details before the deadline. This suggests that Microsoft is prioritizing data security by not syncing sensitive payment data automatically across platforms.

Furthermore, the continued support for passkeys in Authenticator but with the caveat of needing the app enabled as the Passkey Provider indicates Microsoft’s intention to gradually phase in newer, more secure authentication methods while maintaining backward compatibility during the transition period.

From a broader security perspective, consolidating password management within Edge enables Microsoft to better defend against emerging cyber threats through AI-driven detection and real-time monitoring, which standalone apps might not support as robustly.

The user experience implications are clear: anyone using Microsoft’s services should act quickly to back up passwords, enable Edge autofill, and familiarize themselves with Edge’s password management interface on their mobile devices. Microsoft’s clear communication about the timeline and steps users must take shows an effort to mitigate disruption, but user awareness and action remain critical.

In the context of competitive password management solutions, this move strengthens Microsoft Edge’s position against rivals like Google Chrome and Apple Safari, both of which also offer integrated password management and autofill. By enhancing Edge’s AI capabilities and security, Microsoft aims to attract users seeking an all-in-one, secure browser experience.

Ultimately, Microsoft’s shift signals a future where security apps might evolve away from isolated functions toward being embedded within broader ecosystems that combine browsing, identity verification, and password management in a single platform — streamlining security without compromising convenience.

Fact Checker Results ✅🔍

Microsoft will disable password saving in Authenticator starting June 2025.
Password autofill in Authenticator will end by July 2025, and password access will be removed by August 2025.
Payment information stored in Authenticator will be deleted and not transferred to Edge. Users must manually re-enter this data.

Prediction 🔮

As Microsoft consolidates password management into the Edge browser, we anticipate a gradual decline in standalone authentication apps offering password storage features. Browsers will increasingly become the central hub for digital identity management, combining AI-powered security, autofill, and seamless cross-device syncing.

This shift will push users toward relying more on browser-based security solutions, leading to a rise in AI-driven threat detection and real-time password health monitoring. We also expect Microsoft to further integrate passkeys and passwordless authentication methods across its platforms, simplifying access while enhancing protection.

In the long run, this move could drive greater adoption of Microsoft Edge, especially if Microsoft continues to innovate on privacy and security fronts—offering features that rival or surpass those of competitors. Users willing to adapt will benefit from a unified, secure, and AI-empowered browsing experience that integrates password management, payment data, and authentication all in one place.