Microsoft recently released a major update for the Authenticator app on Android, finally enabling fingerprint support for easy authentication.
It is already available on iOS and allows users to simply unlock the phone and activate authentication after being scanned with fingerprints, a process that is substantially faster and more secure.
It goes without saying that this feature only works on devices with fingerprint sensors, but given that this technology is already widely adopted around the world, there's no doubt that it will be practical for many.
Since this is an app that's supposed to protect your account, it was kind of hard not to have one of the most popular mobile security features these days, so this update is expected to be welcomed by most users out there.
Microsoft Authenticator is a handy way to quickly verify your identity online when you try to sign in to a Microsoft, ensuring that no one else besides you has access to your data.
It works on any Android phone and provides effective two-step verification, with notifications appearing on your device to allow access to any attempt to log an authentication attempt.
“Two-step verification helps protect your account by providing an extra layer of security beyond your password. Here’s how it works – when you sign in, after entering your password, you’ll be asked for an additional way to prove it’s really you. Either approve the notification sent to Microsoft Authenticator or enter the verification code generated by the app. With this feature, even if someone manages to figure out your password, they’ll stop there if they don’t have access to your phone,” Microsoft explains.
Fingerprint support is available in Microsoft Authenticator for Android version 6.1.7, so make sure you download and install this build if you want to enable the feature.
