Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Microsoft Authenticator’s Apple Watch companion app was discontinued in January 2023. The change affected the native watchOS app—not Microsoft Authenticator on iPhone or iPad. You can still receive a mirrored alert on your watch in some configurations, but Microsoft does not support completing Authenticator’s secure approval flow on Apple Watch.
What ended—and what still works
Microsoft removed the Authenticator companion app for watchOS. The old app let users respond to supported Microsoft sign-in prompts from their wrist; it is no longer available to install or use. Microsoft’s current Authenticator FAQ says Apple Watch and other wearable devices are incompatible with the app’s security features.
| Capability | Status |
|---|---|
| Install Microsoft Authenticator as a native Apple Watch app | Not supported |
| Complete an Authenticator sign-in approval entirely on the old watch app | No longer supported |
| Receive an iPhone notification mirrored to Apple Watch | May be available through notification settings; it does not restore watch-based authentication |
| Use Microsoft Authenticator on iPhone or iPad | Still supported, subject to current app and device requirements |
The iPhone app continues to support Microsoft personal, work, and school accounts, including push approvals, passwordless sign-in, and one-time codes. See Microsoft’s overview of Authenticator and download page.
When did Apple Watch support end?
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 13, 2022 | Microsoft’s planned change was reported. |
| January 2023 | Microsoft said an iOS release would no longer include the watchOS companion app. |
| February 6, 2023 | Reporting confirmed an App Store update had removed the Apple Watch app. |
The timeline was reported by MacRumors in December 2022 and confirmed after removal by MacRumors in February 2023. So “in January” refers to January 2023, not an upcoming January.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Why did Microsoft discontinue the watch app?
Microsoft’s stated reason was that watchOS was “incompatible with Authenticator security features.” Its Microsoft Entra documentation on number matching also says Apple Watch is not supported for the newer Authenticator security model and recommends using Authenticator on another device.
Number matching is relevant context: it requires a user to respond to a sign-in request with information shown during the sign-in, rather than simply tapping approve. But Microsoft did not say that number matching alone caused the discontinuation. Its public explanation cited security-feature incompatibility more generally.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
What to do if you used Authenticator on your wrist
For Microsoft push approvals
- Keep Microsoft Authenticator installed on your iPhone and update it through the App Store.
- When a sign-in request arrives, open Authenticator on the iPhone and complete the approval or number-matching step shown there.
- If you want your watch to alert you, check Apple Watch notification settings for mirrored iPhone notifications. Treat the alert as a prompt to use your phone, not as proof the watch can complete authentication.
Microsoft says it no longer supports Authenticator versions more than one year old; check its download and support information for current requirements rather than relying on a historic app version.
For six-digit one-time codes
Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) are different from Microsoft push approvals. If you want to move a compatible account’s six-digit codes to another authenticator, migrate each account through that service’s own security settings:
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
- Sign in to the account’s security settings and choose the option to change or add an authenticator app.
- Scan the new QR code with the replacement app, or enter the setup key manually.
- Verify a code generated by the new app, then save the account’s recovery codes.
- Remove the old authenticator entry only after you have tested the replacement successfully.
Do not delete the old Authenticator entry or app before confirming the transfer. Moving a TOTP secret does not transfer Microsoft’s push-approval registration for a work or school account.
Apple Watch alternatives: know what they replace
A watch app that displays TOTP codes is not a replacement for Microsoft’s proprietary push approval. Check both the app’s current watchOS requirements and the account or organization’s allowed sign-in methods before moving codes.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Keep Microsoft Authenticator on iPhone
This is the first-party route for Microsoft personal, work, and school accounts, including push approvals and number matching. It does not bring back native Apple Watch authentication. Microsoft provides current app information on its Authenticator overview.
2Stable Authenticator
The App Store listing for Authenticator by 2Stable describes Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and Mac support, along with encrypted backups and device synchronization. It is a third-party TOTP option for Apple devices, not a way to restore Microsoft Entra push approvals. Check the listing in your regional App Store for current compatibility, price, and purchase terms.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
1Password
For people who already want a password manager, 1Password documents Apple Watch support and explains how to add items to the watch from the iPhone app. It can be useful for password management and TOTP in one service, but it is not a free standalone authenticator or a guaranteed enterprise-approved replacement for Microsoft push approval. Check its system requirements and current pricing before subscribing.
Be cautious with similarly named Authy apps
Historical coverage mentioned Authy as a watch alternative, but a current App Store result with a similar name does not by itself establish that it is Twilio’s product or that it has the same support. Verify the publisher and current watchOS support in the listing before trusting it with codes: current similarly named App Store listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a work or school sign-in will not approve
Your organization controls which authentication methods are allowed. A consumer TOTP app may not satisfy its Entra ID policy, conditional access rules, or device requirements. If you cannot approve a sign-in on your phone, use an already registered alternate method if available, or ask your organization’s help desk what it permits. Depending on its process, IT may provide a temporary access pass, reset your MFA registration, or help register another phone or security key. Do not assume a third-party app will replace Microsoft push approval for a corporate account.
For IT teams, the practical change is to make sure affected users have an approved phone-based or alternate method before they need to sign in. Microsoft’s Entra number-matching guidance describes the supported approval flow and wearable limitation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
