How to get and use app passwords (2024)

Microsoft account help

Overview and sign in help

Microsoft account overview
Can't sign in

Password reset and recovery

Change known password
Reset forgotten password
Can't recover an account

Forgot username

1. Username lookup
2. Check products and services
3. Check if account is closed

Security and verification codes

Keep your account secure
Security info and codes
Troubleshoot verification codes
Security info pending
2-step verification
Go passwordless
Microsoft Authenticator
App passwords

Locked or compromised accounts

Account is locked
Recover a hacked account
Recent activity page
Unusual sign in activity
Emails from Microsoft
Texts from Microsoft
Report technical support scams

Linked accounts

Change the email address or phone number
Add an email address or phone number
Combining Microsoft accounts
Link your Google account

What is a Microsoft account?

What is a Microsoft account
How to sign in to a Microsoft account
Create a new Microsoft account

Update your profile

Change your name or address
Change your birthdate
Change your picture

Close your account

Close an account
Reopen your Microsoft account

Microsoft account More...Less

After youturnon two-step verificationor set up the Authenticator app,you may run into issues if you use older devices (like Xbox 360 or a mail-sending security camera) that don't support two-step verification.

For those devices, you can 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 a device that doesn't support it.

How to create an app password

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

Go to the Advanced security options of your Microsoft account dashboard and scroll down to the App passwords section.
Create password
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.

I've forgotten my app password.

App passwords are unique for each sign-in, so you don't need to remember them.

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:

Get a new app password.
Enter the app password on yourXbox 360instead of the password for your Microsoft account.
If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in to this console, select the Remember me check box.
Select Sign In.

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

In the Outlook desktop app, click File.
Under Info, click Account Settings.
Double-click the Microsoft account you turned on two-step verification for.
Get a new app password.
In the dialog box shown by the Outlook desktop app, enter the app password in the Password box.
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:

In the Outlook desktop app, click File.
Under Info, click Add Account.
Enter your name in the Your Name box. In the Email Address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.
Get a new app password.
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.

Open the mail app on your phone.
Tap Menu, and then tap Settings.
Tap your Microsoft account.
Tap Incoming settings (under Server settings).
Get a new app password.
Replace the password on your phone with the app password.
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:

On your phone, go to Setup, and then choose Email accounts.
Get a new app password.
On your phone, replace the password for your Microsoft account with the app password.
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:

In OneNote, click File.
Under Info, click Settings, and then click Sync.

A sign-in dialog box appears, prompting you to enter your Microsoft account password.
In the Email address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.
Get a new app password.
Enter the app password in the Password box.
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:

Click File, click Save & Send, and then click Save to Web.
Click Sign In.
In the Email address box, enter the email address for your Microsoft account.
Get a new app password.
Enter the app password in the Password box.
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:

Click Yes.
Get a new app password.
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:

Enter your Microsoft account email address.
Get a new app password.
Enter the app password instead of the password for your Microsoft account.
If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in to a Microsoft 365app, select the Save password in my Mac OS keychain check box.
Click Sign In.