How to get and use app passwords
After you turn on two-step verification or 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.
If you do have to enter your credentials again for some reason, simply create a new app password.
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:
-
Enter the app password on your Xbox 360 instead 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.
-
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 365 app, select the Save password in my Mac OS keychain check box.
-
Click Sign In.
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
