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After you turn on two-step verification or set up the Authenticator app, you may run into issues if you use apps or older devices (like Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 360) that don't support two-step verification.

If you have two-step verification turned on and an app isn't prompting you to enter a security code when you sign in, you may be able to sign in with an app password instead. An app password is a long, randomly generated password that you provide only once instead of your regular password when signing in to an app or device that doesn't support two-step verification.

You only need to create an app password if you have two-step verification turned on and are using an app that doesn't support it.

Note: If you forgot your password, are having trouble resetting your password, can't find your security code, or have other problems signing into your account, see When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account.

Tip: If you're a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit Small business help & learning.

How to create a new app password

To create a new app password for an app or device, take the following steps. You can repeat these steps to create an app password for as many apps or devices as you need.

  1. Go to the Security basics page and sign in to your Microsoft account.

  2. Select More security options

  3. Under App passwords, select Create a new app password. A new app password is generated and appears on your screen.

  4. Enter this app password where you would enter your normal Microsoft account password in the application.

Note: Once you have created and entered an app password for a given app or device, you usually won't need to do it again.

Sign-in methods for apps and devices

Some apps or devices require a slightly different method of signing in. The most common ones are listed here. Click on the one that applies to you, and it'll open to display more info:

When you turn on two-step verification, you'll be prompted to enter your Microsoft account password the next time you download your Xbox profile or sign in to the Xbox console. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  2. Enter the app password on your Xbox 360 instead of the password for your Microsoft account.

  3. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in to this console, select the Remember me check box. 

  4. Select Sign In.

If you already sync your Outlook.com email with the Outlook desktop app for Office 2010 or earlier, follow these steps:

  1. In the Outlook desktop app, click File.

  2. Under Info, click Account Settings.

  3. Double-click the Microsoft account you turned on two-step verification for.

  4. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  5. In the dialog box shown by the Outlook desktop app, enter the app password in the Password box.

  6. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you use the Outlook desktop app, select the Remember password check box, and then click OK.

If you want to add your Microsoft account to the Outlook desktop app for Office 2010 or earlier, follow these steps:

  1. In the Outlook desktop app, click File.

  2. Under Info, click Add Account.

  3. Enter your name in the Your Name box. In the Email Address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.

  4. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  5. In the Password and Retype Password boxes, enter the app password instead of your Microsoft account password, and then click Next.

If you're using the default mail app on your Android phone, follow these steps.

  1. Open the mail app on your phone.

  2. Tap Menu, and then tap Settings.

  3. Tap your Microsoft account.

  4. Tap Incoming settings (under Server settings).

  5. Visit your Security basics online to get an app password.

  6. Replace the password on your phone with the app password.

  7. Tap Done.

Note: If you’re using the Outlook.com email app on your Android phone, you're all set—you don't need an app password.

If you’re using the Outlook.com email app on your BlackBerry phone, follow these steps:

  1. On your phone, go to Setup, and then choose Email accounts.

  2. Visit your Security basics online to get an app password.

  3. On your phone, replace the password for your Microsoft account with the app password.

  4. Tap Done.

If you want to save Office 2010 files to the web, you'll need to sign in with an app password. The steps are slightly different, depending on which Microsoft 365 app you're using.

OneNote

To sync OneNote online, follow these steps:

  1. In OneNote, click File.

  2. Under Info, click Settings, and then click Sync.

    A sign-in dialog box appears, prompting you to enter your Microsoft account password.

  3. In the Email address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.

  4. Visit your Security basics online to get an app password.

  5. Enter the app password in the Password box.

  6. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in, select the Sign me in automatically check box, and then click OK.

Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

To save a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file to the web, follow these steps:

  1. Click File, click Save & Send, and then click Save to Web.

  2. Click Sign In.

  3. In the Email address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.

  4. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  5. Enter the app password in the Password box.

  6. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in, select the Sign me in automatically check box, and then click OK.

You can sign in to OneNote with your Microsoft account password. If you're using other Microsoft 365 apps, you'll see slightly different messages.

Outlook

If Outlook prompts you to reenter your password:

  1. Click Yes.

  2. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  3. Enter the app password instead of the password for your Microsoft account.

Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

If Word, Excel, or PowerPoint prompts you to enter your Microsoft account password:

  1. Enter your Microsoft account email address.

  2. Visit your Security basics page online to get an app password.

  3. Enter the app password instead of the password for your Microsoft account.

  4. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in to a Microsoft 365 app, select the Save password in my Mac OS keychain check box.

  5. Click Sign In.


 

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