Microsoft Edge Try Microsoft Edge A fast and secure browser that's designed for Windows 10 Get started

Skip to main content
Microsoft
Microsoft Support
  • Office
  • Windows
  • Surface
  • Xbox
  • Deals
  • Support
      • Windows apps
      • OneDrive
      • Outlook
      • Skype
      • OneNote
      • PCs & tablets
      • Microsoft HoloLens
      • Xbox games
      • PC games
      • Windows digital games
      • Movies & TV
      • Microsoft Azure
      • Microsoft Dynamics 365
      • Microsoft 365
      • Cloud platform
      • Enterprise solutions
      • Data platform
      • .NET
      • Visual Studio
      • Windows Dev Center
      • Docs
      • Free downloads & security
      • Education
      • Gift cards
    • View all
    0
    Sign in
    Microsoft Support

    App passwords and two-step verification

    Content provided by Microsoft

    Content provided by Microsoft

    Applies to: Microsoft Account


    After you've turned on two-step verification, some apps (like the mail apps on some phones) or devices (like an Xbox 360 or Windows Phone 8) will show an incorrect password error because they can't prompt you to enter a security code when you try to sign in. The solution to this problem is to create app passwords to use in place of your regular password, but only for these apps that don't support two-step verification. App passwords are long, randomly generated passwords that you only have to provide once. 

    If you don't use two-step verification, then you can't create app passwords. For help with your Microsoft account password, see When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account.

    The steps for generating a new app password are always the same. Repeat these steps to get a different password for every app or device that needs an app password:

    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 password.

    The way you enter an app password can be slightly different depending on the app or device you're trying to sign in to. The most common ones are listed here.

    Show all
     Xbox 360 console

    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.

     Outlook desktop app

    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.

     Windows Phone

    If you have a Windows Phone 8 or earlier, follow these steps:

    1. On your phone, open Settings.

    2. Tap email + accounts.

    3. Tap your Microsoft account.

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

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

    6. Tap the Done icon.

     Outlook.com email on an iPhone
    1. On your phone, tap Settings, and then tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

    2. Tap your Microsoft account.

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

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

    5. Tap Done.

     Outlook.com email on an Android phone

    If you use the Outlook.com email app on your Android phone, you're all set—you don't need an app password. If you use the default mail app on your 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.

     Outlook.com email on a BlackBerry phone
    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.

     Microsoft Office 2010

    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 Office 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.

     Microsoft Office for Mac 2011

    You can sign in to OneNote with your Microsoft account password. If you're using other Office 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 an Office app, select the Save password in my Mac OS keychain check box.

    5. Click Sign In.

     Groove desktop app
    1. Open the Groove desktop app, and then click Sign in.

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

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

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

    4. Enter the app password in the Password box of the sign-in dialog box.

    5. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in, select the Remember my ID and password check box, and then click Sign in.

     Windows Essentials apps

    If you use Windows Essentials 2012 apps like Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and Windows Live Mail 2012, follow these instructions to sign in. (You'll need to do this for each Windows Essentials app you use.)

    1. Open the app, select the Home tab, and click the Sign in icon.

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

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

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

    4. Enter the app password in the Password box of the sign-in dialog box.

    5. If you don't want to reenter an app password each time you sign in, select the Remember my ID and password check box, and then click Sign in.

    Need more help?


    Email Microsoft support

    Chat with Microsoft support

     
     


    Last Updated: 12/10/2017
    • Email
    • Print
    Thanks! Your feedback will help us improve the support experience.

    Support

    Support

    • Find downloads
    • Account support
    • Supported products list
    • Microsoft Lifecycle Policy

    Security

    Security

    • Safety & Security Center
    • Download Security Essentials
    • Malicious Software Removal Tool

    Contact us

    Contact us

    • Report a support scam
    • Contact Microsoft Support
    • Privacy questions
    • Locate Microsoft addresses worldwide
    This site in other countries/regions
    Algérie - Français
    Argentina - Español
    Australia - English
    Belgique - Français
    België - Nederlands
    Bolivia - Español
    Bosna i Hercegovina - Hrvatski
    Brasil - Português
    Canada - English
    Canada - Français
    Chile - Español
    Colombia - Español
    Costa Rica - Español
    Crna Gora - Srpski
    Danmark - Dansk
    Deutschland - Deutsch
    Dominican Republic - Español
    Ecuador - Español
    Eesti - Eesti
    El Salvador - Español
    España - Español
    Estados Unidos - Español
    France - Français
    Guatemala - Español
    Hong Kong SAR - English
    Hrvatska - Hrvatski
    India - English
    Indonesia (Bahasa) - Bahasa
    Ireland - English
    Italia - Italiano
    Latvija - Latviešu
    Lietuva - Lietuvių
    Luxembourg - Français
    Magyarország - Magyar
    Malaysia - English
    Maroc - Français
    México - Español
    Nederland - Nederlands
    New Zealand - English
    Norge - Bokmål
    Panamá - Español
    Paraguay - Español
    Perú - Español
    Philippines - English
    Polska - Polski
    Portugal - Português
    Puerto Rico - Español
    România - Română
    Schweiz - Deutsch
    Singapore - English
    Slovenija - Slovenščina
    Slovensko - Slovenčina
    South Africa - English
    Srbija - Srpski
    Suisse - Français
    Suomi - Suomi
    Sverige - Svenska
    Tunisie - Français
    Türkiye - Türkçe
    United Kingdom - English
    United States - English
    Uruguay - Español
    Venezuela - Español
    Việt Nam - Tiếng việt
    Ísland - Íslenska
    Österreich - Deutsch
    Česká Republika - Čeština
    Ελλάδα - Ελληνικά
    България - Български
    Казахстан - Русский
    Россия - Русский
    Україна - Українська
    ישראל - עברית
    الإمارات العربية المتحدة - العربية
    المملكة العربية السعودية - العربية
    مصر - العربية
    भारत - हिंदी
    ไทย - ไทย
    中国 - 简体中文
    台灣 - 繁體中文
    日本 - 日本語
    香港特別行政區 - 繁體中文
    대한민국 - 한국어
    English (New Zealand)
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Trademarks
    • © Microsoft 2018
    ERROR: at System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcessHandle(Int32 access, Boolean throwIfExited) at System.Diagnostics.Process.Kill() at Microsoft.Support.SEOInfrastructureService.PhantomJS.PhantomJSRunner.WaitForExit(Process process, Int32 waitTime, StringBuilder dataBuilder, Boolean isTotalProcessTimeout)New URL: about:blank