Microsoft wants to integrate two-step verification tool Authenticator into Outlook app

Microsoft plans to use the Outlook app on iOS and Android as a two-step verification method. This should make it possible to log in to accounts that require 2fa, without downloading a separate app.

Microsoft calls the feature on its Microsoft 365 roadmap ‘Authenticator Lite’. Although Microsoft itself has a separate 2fa app, it says it now also wants to build the functionality into its Outlook app. This would make it the first feature of that app that doesn’t relate to emails. According to the tech giant, the feature should be available to the general public in March.

Microsoft seems to want to make it more accessible for users to enable two-factor authentication via an app. Microsoft’s Authenticator app has about 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store, while its Outlook app has been downloaded 500 million times. In the past, Microsoft has already called on users to stop using 2fa via SMS, because this method is said to be less secure than authentication apps.