Microsoft has now really discontinued the Authenticator app on the Apple Watch. Originally, the Apple Watch version would disappear from January, but that has become a little later. Fortunately, there are still alternatives. 
Update 7 February 2023: A little later than originally planned, the Microsoft Authenticator Apple Watch app is now a thing of the past. With the latest update of the Microsoft Authenticator app, the Apple Watch version has been removed. In the version 6.7.3 update description, Microsoft reports the following:
This update removes Microsoft Authenticator from Apple Watch. You can still choose to show Authenticator iPhone alerts on your Apple Watch in your Apple Watch notification settings.
So you can still receive notifications with alerts from the iPhone version on your Apple Watch, but the previous capabilities of the Apple Watch version are now missing. If you miss the features, check out our list of two-step verification apps for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Below is the original article from December 13, 2022
Microsoft Authenticator is one of many apps for two-step verification on iPhone and iPad. A plus is that it also works on the Apple Watch. Since 2016 it has been possible to log in to your Microsoft account with your Apple Watch, thanks to a notification that appears on the screen. And since 2018, the company also offers the possibility to log in to your Microsoft accounts with the special Microsoft Authenticator app on the Apple Watch. That is now being reversed.
It often happens that companies leave the Apple Watch App Store. Usually the argument is that the app in question is hardly used. At Microsoft, there are other reasons: the operating system on the Apple Watch would not be compatible with Authenticator's security features.
In a support document, Microsoft explains what will happen: An update to the Microsoft Authenticator app will be released in January 2023 for iOS, where the Apple Watch is no longer supported. As a result, you can no longer use it. Microsoft recommends uninstalling the Authenticator app as it will stop working anyway.
Microsoft Authenticator makes it easy to sign in to your Microsoft account and supported apps when two-step verification is required. The app replaces text messages that are less secure. The app can also generate one-time access codes, so you can log in immediately and don't have to wait for a text message to arrive. Of course you can still use the Microsoft Authenticator app on the iPhone and iPad via the link below.
And if you still want to continue using the Apple Watch, there are plenty of alternatives that do work on the Apple Watch and also give you the option to securely log in to all kinds of apps and services. Examples are 1Password, Authy, OTP Auth and Duo Mobile. You can find them in our list of two-step verification apps for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Of course you also have two-factor authentication enabled for your iCloud and Apple ID, so that no one can tamper with your account. src=”/wp-content/uploads/f1cc39a4861b7d8186f748d6f9305d34.gif” />
Best apps for two-step verification on iPhone and iPad
You you can further secure your email, accounts and other services with two-step verification. In this article you will find five apps that offer one-time sign-in codes to log in securely.
Revision history:
- 2023 – February 07, 09:46: Microsoft Authenticator has now really stopped on the Apple Watch.