Security News > 2023 > May > Microsoft Authenticator push notifications get number matching

Microsoft has enabled number matching for Microsoft Authenticator push notifications to improve user sign-in security.

"If the user has a different default authentication method, there's no change to their default sign-in. If the default method is Authenticator, they get number matching," Microsoft clarified, and noted that users can't opt out of this feature.

Number matching provides an additional layer of security by displaying a number in the push notification.

MFA number matching does not support push notifications for Apple Watch or Android wearables.

Users of wearable devices need to use their phone to approve notifications when number matching is enabled.

"In the Authenticator release in January 2023 for iOS, there is no companion app for watchOS due to it being incompatible with Authenticator security features. You can't install or use Authenticator on Apple Watch," Microsoft added.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/05/09/microsoft-authenticator-number-matching/