How to Turn Off Microsoft 365 Authenticator: 3 Easy Steps to Disable Mandatory Authentication

Why Disabling Mandatory Microsoft 365 Authenticator Can Make Sense for Your Organization

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by Microsoft 365’s mandatory authenticator, you’re not alone. While it’s designed to protect, it can sometimes feel like an unnecessary hurdle, especially when you already have trusted security systems in place. The good news? You can turn it off safely, and we’re about to show you exactly how in just a few simple steps.

In a digital workspace, security is crucial, and tools like Microsoft 365 Authenticator add an important layer of protection. However, there are scenarios where organizations or individuals may find the mandatory use of an authenticator overly restrictive, especially if alternative security measures are already in place. 

 

Disabling the mandatory authentication can improve workflow flexibility, reduce login friction for trusted users, and tailor security protocols to better match a company's operational needs without compromising overall safety.

 

Understanding how to turn off the mandatory Microsoft 365 Authenticator properly ensures that you maintain control over your organization's security settings while enhancing user convenience. 

It allows businesses to implement custom authentication strategies that suit their environments better, balancing strong security with user efficiency. Following the right steps is crucial to avoid leaving any gaps in protection while streamlining access across Microsoft 365 services.

In today’s evolving digital environment, businesses need security tools that are not only effective but also adaptable. While Microsoft 365 Authenticator offers strong protection, it’s not always the perfect fit for every organization. For teams that already have robust internal safeguards in place, the mandatory use of this tool can feel limiting. 

Overview

3 Trusted Ways to Turn Off Mandatory Microsoft 365 Authenticator

If you're looking to turn off the mandatory Microsoft 365 Authenticator, it's important to understand that the process isn't the same for every organization. Microsoft provides several layers of security depending on how your environment is set up—whether you're using default settings, custom policies, or older authentication methods.

To keep things simple, we've outlined the three most common ways to disable the authenticator based on the latest Microsoft Entra and Microsoft 365 updates. This quick overview will help you identify the option that fits your setup best, so you can improve usability without compromising security.

Here are the three easy ways to turn off mandatory Microsoft 365 Authenticator:

Disable Security Defaults (for organizations using default security settings)

If your organization is using Microsoft’s default security configuration, “Security Defaults” may be forcing users to register for and use Microsoft Authenticator. To disable it:

 

• Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center (entra.microsoft.com).
  

• Go to Identity > Overview > Properties.
  

• Scroll down to find “Manage Security Defaults.”
  

• Click "Manage" and set the toggle to “No” to turn off security defaults.
  

• Save changes.
  
  

 Tip: Disabling Security Defaults gives you more control, but you’ll need to manage security policies manually afterward.

Modify Conditional Access Policies (for custom security setups)

If your organization has Conditional Access policies requiring MFA, Microsoft Authenticator might be set as the default or only approved method. To adjust this:

 

• Go to Entra admin center > Identity > Conditional Access > Policies.
  

• Locate the policy enforcing MFA (e.g., “Require MFA for all users”).
  

• Edit the policy settings and adjust the MFA enforcement criteria.
  

• You can either disable the policy or customize it to allow alternative methods (like SMS or email).
  

• Save and apply changes.
  
  

Tip: This is ideal if you want more flexible MFA options rather than turning MFA off completely.

Change Per-User MFA Settings (legacy method – still active in some tenants) 

In legacy environments, MFA may still be enabled on a per-user basis. You can check and disable it like this:

 

• Go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
  

• Navigate to Users > Active users.
  

• Click “Multi-factor authentication” at the top.
  

• Locate the user(s) and change their status from “Enabled” to “Disabled.”
  

• Confirm the change.
  
  

Note: This option only appears if you haven’t fully migrated to Conditional Access or modern authentication management.

Understanding these three key methods puts you in control of how authentication works in your Microsoft 365 environment. Whether you're simplifying access for users or customizing your security approach, these options offer flexibility without sacrificing protection.

Disable Security Defaults (for organizations using default security settings)

Regain Control by Disabling Microsoft 365 Security Defaults

For many organizations, Security Defaults are enabled by default the moment a Microsoft 365 tenant is created. While these settings offer a quick way to boost security across all users, they also enforce Microsoft Authenticator as the primary method for multi-factor authentication. 

This can create unnecessary friction, especially for businesses that already have more advanced or customized security measures in place. Disabling Security Defaults gives you back control and allows you to tailor your authentication experience to better fit your organization’s specific needs.

Here are three recent features tied to Security Defaults that are worth highlighting:

Simplified Enforcement of Modern Authentication
Microsoft has streamlined the enforcement of modern authentication protocols (like OAuth 2.0), automatically blocking legacy authentication methods (e.g., IMAP, POP3, SMTP Basic).

 

This helps reduce the attack surface without requiring complex configuration from admins — a key part of what Security Defaults now enforces out-of-the-box.

Mandatory MFA for All Admins and Users
Recent updates to Security Defaults make multi-factor authentication mandatory not just for global admins, but for all users across the tenant.

 

This shift prioritizes zero-trust principles across the board, but can be restrictive for organizations that already use conditional access or other MFA methods, making the ability to turn it off more relevant.

Centralized Management via Microsoft Entra Admin Center
With Microsoft's shift from Azure AD to the Entra platform, Security Defaults are now easier to manage through the unified Microsoft Entra Admin Center.

 

This interface provides clearer visibility into which policies are active and how they impact users, making it simpler to identify when Security Defaults are the source of forced authenticator usage.

Disabling Security Defaults empowers your organization to move beyond one-size-fits-all security and adopt a more tailored approach. It allows IT teams to reduce friction for users while still maintaining control over how and when authentication is enforced.

Modify Conditional Access Policies (for custom security setups)

Fine-Tune Access with Custom Conditional Policies in Microsoft 365

If Security Defaults aren't enabled in your tenant, Microsoft Authenticator may still be enforced through Conditional Access policies. These custom policies are powerful tools used to define how users access apps and data, including when and how MFA is required. 

For organizations using tailored security setups, it's important to regularly review these policies to ensure they align with current needs. Adjusting them allows you to remove Microsoft Authenticator as a required method while still enforcing strong authentication standards.

Here are the three recent updates in Conditional Access that can help you disable Microsoft Authenticator while keeping your environment secure and user-friendly.

Authentication Strength Controls
Microsoft now lets you customize which MFA methods are accepted within Conditional Access policies using Authentication Strengths.

 

This means you can remove Microsoft Authenticator as a required method and allow alternatives like SMS, phone calls, or hardware tokens, giving you more flexibility without disabling MFA entirely.

Granular Targeting with User, Group, and App Conditions
Recent updates now allow admins to apply Conditional Access rules with much more precision. You can now modify policies to enforce MFA only for specific users, roles, or high-risk apps, instead of enforcing Microsoft Authenticator across the board.

 

This helps reduce unnecessary friction while still protecting sensitive areas.

Improved Insights and Policy Impact Analysis
Microsoft has enhanced the reporting and diagnostics experience in Entra, helping IT teams better understand how Conditional Access policies affect user sign-ins. With real-time analytics and sign-in logs, you can quickly identify if Microsoft Authenticator is being triggered and adjust policies accordingly, avoiding accidental enforcement.

By modifying Conditional Access policies, you gain full control over how and when multi-factor authentication is enforced in your organization. This flexibility allows you to move away from a mandatory Microsoft Authenticator setup while still maintaining strong, targeted security where it matters most.

Change Per-User MFA Settings (legacy method – still active in some tenants) 

Update Legacy Per-User MFA Settings to Remove Unwanted Authenticator Prompts

Despite Microsoft’s shift toward centralized identity management through Entra and Conditional Access, legacy per-user MFA settings remain active in many Microsoft 365 environments. These older configurations often continue to enforce Microsoft Authenticator silently in the background, even when newer policies are in place. 

For IT administrators managing long-standing tenants, identifying and updating these settings is essential to fully disabling mandatory authenticator requirements. Addressing this legacy layer ensures a more consistent, streamlined authentication experience across your organization.

Here are three recently updated features related to Changing Per-User MFA Settings:

Improved Visibility in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Microsoft has made it easier to identify users with legacy per-user MFA enabled. Admins can now view MFA status directly within the user profile and through enhanced filters under the "Multi-factor authentication" tab, allowing faster auditing and action for accounts still using this method.

Transition Guidance to Conditional Access
Recognizing that many organizations are still using per-user MFA, Microsoft now provides in-product recommendations and migration prompts within the admin center.

 

These guides help admins transition users from legacy MFA to modern Conditional Access policies, making it easier to disable Microsoft Authenticator in favor of more flexible options.

Integration with Entra Sign-In Logs
Even though it's a legacy method, per-user MFA events are now more clearly logged in the Microsoft Entra sign-in logs. This helps IT teams better track authentication attempts, identify where Microsoft Authenticator is being enforced, and make informed decisions about phasing it out or modifying enforcement.

Reviewing and updating legacy per-user MFA settings is a critical step for organizations still experiencing unwanted Microsoft Authenticator prompts. By addressing these older configurations, IT teams can ensure a fully aligned and modern authentication strategy across their Microsoft 365 environment.

Conclusion

Your 3-Step Path to Disabling Microsoft 365’s Mandatory Authenticator

We explored how to turn off the mandatory use of Microsoft Authenticator in Microsoft 365 — a step many organizations are taking to improve user experience while maintaining control over security. We began by highlighting why flexibility in authentication matters, especially in environments where alternate security measures are already in place.

From there, we outlined three key methods to disable the mandatory Microsoft Authenticator prompt:

• Disabling Security Defaults for organizations using Microsoft’s default security configuration.
• Modifying Conditional Access Policies for environments with custom access rules and advanced controls.
• Updating Per-User MFA Settings in legacy Microsoft 365 tenants that still enforce MFA on a user-by-user basis.

This blog walked you through exactly how to turn off the mandatory use of Microsoft Authenticator in Microsoft 365 by focusing on three straightforward yet powerful methods. First, we looked at Disabling Security Defaults, which applies to newer tenants using Microsoft’s out-of-the-box security settings. 

Next, we explored how to modify Conditional Access Policies for organizations with more customized security frameworks. Lastly, we covered the legacy method of Changing Per-User MFA Settings, which is still active in many long-standing Microsoft 365 environments.

Taking control of Microsoft 365’s authentication settings empowers your organization to strike the right balance between security and usability. By understanding and applying the right method for your setup, you can eliminate unnecessary friction while maintaining a secure and streamlined access experience for every user.

Discussion Question

Which of the three methods for disabling Microsoft Authenticator best fits your organization’s current setup, and what does that choice reveal about your overall approach to balancing security and user experience in Microsoft 365?

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