Microsoft account is other email, passkey question

SureNeedHelp2 · Jun 29, 2025

So I set up Microsoft account years ago for a family member. I set it up with an existing email. That’s not an outlook email.. I’m looking to use the pass key option for their account. My question is, can I continue to use this non-Outlook account email as my way to login to all things Microsoft? Also, do they need to have the Microsoft authenticator app or any other authenticator app like iCloudt to use a passkey to get into their Microsoft account? I watched a few YouTube videos, but they didn’t answer all the questions. Will this pass key once set up whether in the authenticator app or not be used across other devices like Xbox? If they install the authenticator app on their phone or tablet and use the existing email address that’s not an Outlook email address will they need to do something with their Xbox account which is also attached to this same email address/ Microsoft account? I’m sure you guys get this question a lot. I apologize. I had a time for asking. I did try to watch some videos but again it wasn’t totally clear to me.. Thank you ahead of any answers!

:)

Tadeu dailson

Hello, my name is Tadeu, I am an Independent Consultant and a member of the Microsoft Xbox community, just like you.

I apologize for the issue you are experiencing.

I am here to help.

I hope everything is going well and thank you for contacting me.

Here we go.

Answer to question 1. Yes, you can continue to use a non-Outlook email address to sign in to your Microsoft account and access Microsoft services.

Answer to question 2. No, you do not need the Microsoft Authenticator app or any other authenticator app to use a password to access your Microsoft account. Although Microsoft recommends using the Authenticator app for added security.

Answer to question 3. Yes, your Microsoft account password, once set up, can be used on other devices, even if you use the Authenticator app.

Answer to question 4. No, installing the Microsoft Authenticator app and using it with an existing email address (other than an Outlook.com address) will not directly affect your Xbox account. Your Xbox account is linked to a Microsoft account, which can be associated with multiple email addresses, including non-Outlook addresses.

Please note that this is a public forum only. I will respond as soon as possible, and apologize in advance for any delay in responding. I am just a user trying to provide information and knowledge that may be useful to others. I am not a Microsoft employee.

Kind regards, Tadeu

XBF Chris J

Hello CJ,

Thank you for posting here on the Xbox forums. Are you talking about the
Passkey on your Xbox One? The passkey would be button combinations using your controller like X,X,LT,Down, etc...

If you input the passkey incorrectly too many times, you will get asked for the password to your Microsoft account. It will show you the email to your Microsoft account. That doesn't mean it's asking for the password to your email unless you made the password
to your Microsoft account match the password to your email.

I hope this helps clear things up.

XBF Ruben D

Hello nancy#123,

Thank you for posting on Xbox Forums. In regards to the issue/question, there isn't a way to prevent someone from using your email or phone number to create another account. If your email is the primary on your account it cannot be used on another Microsoft
account as it is attached to your account.

As for other people signing into your account you can always choose to create a passkey as the ambassador's have suggested you can always make sure that others have to put in a password before signing into the account.

If you have any other questions please feel free to reply back letting us know. Thank you again for posting on Xbox Forums.

XBF Diego M

Hi MoonTravler621,

Thank you for posting on the Xbox forums, I'd be happy to help.

You can
reset your passkey by inputting the passkey incorrectly 3 times and you will be prompted to reset your passkey using your account password.

When you’re prompted to enter your passkey on the console, enter any six-digit combination three times.
Enter your Microsoft account password when prompted.
Select Make a new passkey.
Enter a new passkey, and then enter it again to confirm.

You should be good to go! Let us know if you have any other questions!

ChiefJoboo

The passkey does go across other consoles but it can be reset by entering the same combination 3 times and then entering your password to erase the passkey.

You will have to change your password and then set the passkey after the new password is set if your friend knows the password.

http://support.xbox.com/my-account/microsoft-account/change-microsoft-account-password

If he keeps getting after that in he may have added an email to your account to help reset the password to get access unauthorized. If that's so, please see this page about a compromised account:

https://support.xbox.com/my-account/security/compromised-account-solution

Also, make sure you selected the option to ask for a passkey at login:
https://support.xbox.com/my-account/security/create-xbox-one-passkey

And please consider adding 2-step verification to your account to prevent your friend from getting on your account again, even if he knows the password:

https://support.microsoft.com/help/12408/microsoft-account-about-two-step-verification

Microsoft account is other email, passkey question