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

Microsoft wants 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 mentions 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 be the first feature of that app that does not 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 around 50 million downloads in the Google Play Store, while the Outlook app has been downloaded 500 million times. Microsoft has in the past called on users to no longer use 2fa via SMS, because this method is said to be less secure than authentication apps.