Multi-Factor Authentication
Modified on: Tue, 17 Mar, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Create an App Password for Office 365
Applies To: Office for Business, Office 365 Admin
Last updated: 26 March, 2018
An app password is a unique code that allows an application or device to securely access your Office 365 account when multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled.
If your administrator has enabled MFA for your organization, you may need to generate an app password for certain applications that do not support MFA directly (for example, older versions of Outlook such as 2016 or earlier).
Before You Begin
Confirm that MFA is enabled for your account. If it is not enabled, the options described below will not appear. Contact your Office 365 administrator if needed.
Create an App Password
1. Sign in to Office 365 using your work or school account.
2. After signing in, select Set it up now when prompted.
3. Choose your preferred authentication method and follow
the on-screen instructions.
4. Verify your alternate contact method, then select Next.
5. An app password will be generated.
6. Copy the password to your clipboard (you do not need to
memorize it).
Create Additional App Passwords
1. Sign in to Office 365.
2. Go to Settings > Office 365 Settings.
3. Select Security & Privacy > Additional security verification.
If this option is not visible, MFA is not enabled—contact your administrator.
4. Select Update my phone numbers used for account security.
5. At the top of the page, select App Passwords.
6. Click Create.
7. (Optional) Enter a name for the password (e.g., “Outlook”).
8. Copy the generated password for use in your application.
Use an App Password in Outlook
1. Open Outlook (2010, 2013, or 2016).
2. When prompted for your password, paste the app password.
3. If adding a new account, enter the app password in the required password fields.
4. Restart Outlook.
Note: This setup is typically required only once per application.
Delete App Passwords (Admin Only)
1. Sign in to the Office 365 Admin Center.
2. Navigate to Users > Active users.
3. Select one or more users.
4. Choose Manage multi-factor authentication.
5. Select Manage user settings.
6. Choose Delete all existing app passwords generated by selected users.
7. Click Save.
Additional Notes
• You can create multiple app passwords for different applications or devices.
• Each app password can be named for easier identification.
• App passwords are used in place of your regular account password for supported apps.
For more information, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation: