
Microsoft will make saved passwords inaccessible in its Authenticator app beginning August 2025, chopping off entry to saved and unsaved generated credentials. Customers who fail to export their information earlier than the deadline will threat shedding essential login info for good.
In keeping with Microsoft, this modification is meant to streamline autofill and password administration by integrating these capabilities throughout the Edge browser. Whereas selling enhanced syncing and safety, Microsoft has made clear that Authenticator will not retain any password information after the cutoff.
What occurs to your saved passwords in Authenticator
After the deadline, Authenticator will erase all regionally saved password information and unsaved generated credentials. Addresses and fee information will even be deleted from gadgets beginning in July 2025. None of this info will switch routinely to Edge or some other Microsoft service. The app itself will stay accessible, although, and proceed supporting passkeys and authentication options.
Password administration is being absolutely migrated to Microsoft Edge, which gives synced credentials and built-in protections like SmartScreen and Password Monitor. Customers who need continued entry should change to the browser or transfer their credentials to a different password supervisor.
The modifications have already began. Since June, customers can not add or import new passwords into Authenticator. Autofill performance stays accessible by July however will probably be disabled fully beginning in August.
The place to maneuver your saved credentials
Swap to Edge
To proceed utilizing autofill and password sync, Microsoft instructs customers to modify to Edge. Meaning downloading the Edge browser in your cell machine, setting it because the default autofill supplier in machine settings, and signing in along with your Microsoft account. Saved passwords and addresses will sync routinely, however fee info should be manually re-added.
Export passwords and import them right into a third-party password supervisor
Customers who don’t wish to use Edge are suggested to export their passwords from Authenticator and import them right into a third-party password supervisor. Choices embody Bitwarden, 1Password, Google Password Supervisor, and iCloud Keychain. Addresses should be copied manually, and fee playing cards should be recreated.
Exports should be accomplished earlier than August 1; after that, no information will probably be recoverable from the app.
Why Microsoft is retiring password storage in Authenticator
Microsoft is retiring password storage in Authenticator in response to a persistent menace: Over 99% of day by day identification assaults nonetheless goal passwords. By consolidating credential administration in Edge and backing options like passkeys and FIDO2, it goals to scale back password-based threat throughout its ecosystem.
As Microsoft provides extra AI, Copilot Mode is coming to Edge. This mode positions the Copilot generative AI because the default technique to work together with the net.