One BIG oversight from MS: when you turn on 2 factor authentication, it will BREAK Family Safety. ON a computer controlled with Family Safety, you cannot use your password anymore and there is no prompt to use the code from Google Authenticator.
That is indeed a big problem. Thanks for sharing this information.
What Windows version are you using?
PaulG
6 years ago
Thank you very much for this article. I was trying to switch from Google Authenticator to Authy, and was going round in circles. Microsoft insisted that I use its own app. Selecting ‘other’ instead of ‘iphone’ was the solution. Thanks again
Steven McDowell
6 years ago
Thank you. MS buried the option that allowed me to use Google Authenticator. Since this page was written, they made another change, removing the “Verify my identify with” … “An app”. Now the list box is not there, you must choose Other and proceed as you described. Thank you again!
Thanks for sharing this information. We will consider updating the article to reflect the latest changes.
gyzn
6 years ago
It sucks that Microsoft makes people believe they have to use their app by only giving that choice under “iPhone” and the others.. Thanks for your article, now I can keep using Google Authenticator.
Auth App - Big Mistake
6 years ago
Wish I had read this before I started using Microsoft’s Authenticator app.
My phone broke with said app on it. Couldn’t get the code when I tried to reset my password. Now my account is locked and it can take up to 30 days for Microsoft to verify who I am to let me back in.
Worst is that if you google issues with Microsoft Authenticator, you read stories of Microsoft telling people they can’t do anything to help unlock an account because they put in place the two step system with their Authenticator app. In other words, their saying, “Sucks to be you. Btw, make a new account with us!”
Yes, it is their only option other than trying to remember what your password is. Google is so much better.
Roberta
5 years ago
Thank you so much, I was going around in circles trying to set up my account. I *never* would have guessed I needed to choose “other” instead of my device type!
Erik
5 years ago
Your 2 factor barcode can still be scanned please for security blur all of it
It can still be scanned. I think anyone wanting to know how to do this sort of thing will know what a QR code looks like. Probably no need to show nearly enough to scan correctly, and you can safely blur out a far greater proportion.
Not least because scanning reveals an e-mail address. I’d just paste a generated ‘congratulations’ message or something instead. Unless this is a dummy account anyway.
Michelle
4 years ago
I have 2 step verification set up for my msn account. My msn account was deleted by my authenticator app. I have tried to reset my password on msn and it’s asking for code on authenticator. I am unable to retrieve. How do I fix this?
R Jones
3 years ago
Doesn’t seem to work anymore. they never gave me the ap option, they just asked about what I sync outlook with. Tried several times. Followed your steps. I did have Google authenticaor installed on this account previously, but had to update when I got a new cell phone.
One BIG oversight from MS: when you turn on 2 factor authentication, it will BREAK Family Safety. ON a computer controlled with Family Safety, you cannot use your password anymore and there is no prompt to use the code from Google Authenticator.
That is indeed a big problem. Thanks for sharing this information.
What Windows version are you using?
Thank you very much for this article. I was trying to switch from Google Authenticator to Authy, and was going round in circles. Microsoft insisted that I use its own app. Selecting ‘other’ instead of ‘iphone’ was the solution. Thanks again
Thank you. MS buried the option that allowed me to use Google Authenticator. Since this page was written, they made another change, removing the “Verify my identify with” … “An app”. Now the list box is not there, you must choose Other and proceed as you described. Thank you again!
Thanks for sharing this information. We will consider updating the article to reflect the latest changes.
It sucks that Microsoft makes people believe they have to use their app by only giving that choice under “iPhone” and the others.. Thanks for your article, now I can keep using Google Authenticator.
Wish I had read this before I started using Microsoft’s Authenticator app.
My phone broke with said app on it. Couldn’t get the code when I tried to reset my password. Now my account is locked and it can take up to 30 days for Microsoft to verify who I am to let me back in.
Worst is that if you google issues with Microsoft Authenticator, you read stories of Microsoft telling people they can’t do anything to help unlock an account because they put in place the two step system with their Authenticator app. In other words, their saying, “Sucks to be you. Btw, make a new account with us!”
Yes, it is their only option other than trying to remember what your password is. Google is so much better.
Thank you so much, I was going around in circles trying to set up my account. I *never* would have guessed I needed to choose “other” instead of my device type!
Your 2 factor barcode can still be scanned please for security blur all of it
Thanks for highlighting the problem.
It can still be scanned. I think anyone wanting to know how to do this sort of thing will know what a QR code looks like. Probably no need to show nearly enough to scan correctly, and you can safely blur out a far greater proportion.
Not least because scanning reveals an e-mail address. I’d just paste a generated ‘congratulations’ message or something instead. Unless this is a dummy account anyway.
I have 2 step verification set up for my msn account. My msn account was deleted by my authenticator app. I have tried to reset my password on msn and it’s asking for code on authenticator. I am unable to retrieve. How do I fix this?
Doesn’t seem to work anymore. they never gave me the ap option, they just asked about what I sync outlook with. Tried several times. Followed your steps. I did have Google authenticaor installed on this account previously, but had to update when I got a new cell phone.