Microsoft is removing the Authenticator companion App from watchOS.
Microsoft Authenticator on the Apple watch is going to be discontinued early 2023. Microsoft quietly announced in a support article that an upcoming update will remove the Microsoft Authenticator companion app from watchOS.
The companion app allows Apple Watch users to securely log into services that use Microsoft and third-party accounts without having to touch their phone. Users can tap on their watch to approve sign-in notifications sent to the app to authenticate their login requests.
Microsoft explained that the watchOS , the operating system that runs the Apple Watch has some compatibility issues with the security features in Microsoft Authenticator. Microsoft has advised existing users to delete the app from their Apple Watch by the end of December 2022.
“In the upcoming Authenticator release in January 2023 for iOS, there will be no companion app for watchOS due to it being incompatible with Authenticator security features. This means you won’t be able to install or use Authenticator on Apple Watch. We therefore recommend that you delete Authenticator from your Apple Watch,” Microsoft explained.
Whilst this will be a slight inconvenience for some users its a small price to pay for increased MFA security.