Technology Microsoft Phasing Out SMS Authentication Codes for Personal Accounts in Favor of Passkeys

[lokamoka820]

Content source

https://www.ghacks.net/2026/05/22/microsoft-phasing-out-sms-authentication-codes-for-personal-accounts-in-favor-of-passkeys/

Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue SMS-based authentication and account recovery for personal Microsoft accounts. The company updated its support documentation to reflect this change, having previously hinted at the move earlier this year. Going forward, SMS codes will be replaced with passkeys, passwordless accounts, and verified secondary email addresses.

While Microsoft has not set a specific date for the transition, it is introducing a redesigned authentication process that encourages users to set up a passkey during sign-in.

 

[nicolaasjan]

And how am I supposed to login on my old Linux device, that doesn't support passkeys, as far as I know?
Will TOTP authentication not be an option?

 

[lokamoka820]

And how am I supposed to login on my old Linux device, that doesn't support passkeys, as far as I know?
Will TOTP authentication not be an option?

I think the easiest way is to add a recovery email address instead of SMS messages.