🔍 Summary:
Microsoft is making significant changes to its Authenticator app, signaling a shift away from traditional password management towards a more secure passkey system. Starting June 1, 2025, users will no longer be able to save new passwords to the Authenticator app. By July, the autofill feature will be discontinued, and by August, all saved passwords will become inaccessible within the app. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to using passkeys, a more secure form of authentication that involves a public key on the server and a private key on the user’s device, making them nearly impossible for hackers to intercept.
The company is promoting the use of its Edge browser for password management, where saved passwords and addresses will continue to be securely synced. This move is part of a broader industry trend towards passkeys, supported by major tech players like Apple, Google, and Microsoft since 2012 through the FIDO Alliance.
For users of Windows 11, this transition will be supported by enhanced functionality for navigating websites that support passkeys, and integration with third-party passkey providers through an application programming interface. This will allow users to use the same passkeys across different devices and platforms.
Despite these changes, dedicated password managers like 1Password and Bitwarden remain viable options for those seeking robust password management solutions across various operating systems. These tools offer features like autofill, passkey support, and 2FA code generation, providing a comprehensive security solution beyond what browser-based password vaults typically offer.