What Approved Sign Code Does and How to Turn It Off

Approved Sign Code is a Microsoft security feature that requires you to approve sign-in attempts on your account from a new device or location. When you turn it on, Microsoft sends you a notification asking you to confirm that you — not someone else — are trying to log in. If you want to stop receiving these notifications and remove the approval requirement, you can disable it in your Microsoft account settings.

The process takes about two minutes and requires access to your current Microsoft account. You do not need to contact Microsoft support or wait for approval from anyone else — you control this setting yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Approved Sign Code is found in your Microsoft account security settings, not in Outlook or your email client.
  • You must sign into your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com to change this setting.
  • Turning off Approved Sign Code removes the extra security step but makes your account more vulnerable to unauthorized access.
  • If you have already set up a phone number or authenticator app for your account, those will remain active even after you disable Approved Sign Code.

Where to Find the Approved Sign Code Setting

Approved Sign Code lives in your Microsoft account security center, not in your email inbox or Outlook settings. You must go to the Microsoft account website directly to change it.

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password for the Microsoft account you want to change. Once you are signed in, look for the left-side menu and select Security. You should see a section labeled Advanced Security Options or Security Essentials depending on your account type.

Steps to Disable Approved Sign Code

After you reach the Security section of your Microsoft account, find the option that says Approval notifications or Require approval for sign-in. The exact wording varies, but it will mention approvals or notifications.

Click on that option. You will see a toggle switch or a button that says Turn off or Disable. Click it. Microsoft may ask you to confirm your choice by entering your password again or by approving the change through a notification on another device you have signed into. Complete whichever verification step appears.

Once you confirm, the setting is off. You will no longer receive approval notifications when you sign into your email from new devices or locations. The change takes effect immediately, though it may take a few minutes to sync across all Microsoft services.

What Happens After You Turn It Off

After you disable Approved Sign Code, you will be able to sign into your Microsoft email account from any device without needing to approve the sign-in first. No notification will be sent to your phone or other devices asking you to confirm.

However, if you have set up other security features — such as two-factor authentication, a phone number for recovery, or an authenticator app — those will remain active. Disabling Approved Sign Code only removes the approval notification step. Other security layers continue to work.

When You Might Want to Keep Approved Sign Code On

Approved Sign Code is a security feature designed to catch unauthorized access. If someone obtains your password, they still cannot sign in without your approval. Turning it off removes that barrier.

If you use your Microsoft account for sensitive work, store important files in OneDrive, or manage payment methods through your account, keeping Approved Sign Code on is generally safer. The inconvenience of approving a sign-in takes seconds and can prevent account takeover. Consider whether the convenience of turning it off is worth the security trade-off for your situation.

Turning Approved Sign Code Back On

If you change your mind, you can turn Approved Sign Code back on at any time using the same steps. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, select Security, find the Approval notifications option, and click the toggle to turn it back on.

Once you re-enable it, Microsoft will resume sending you notifications the next time you sign in from an unrecognized device or location. You will need to approve those sign-ins before you can access your email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off Approved Sign Code affect my Outlook app or other email clients?

No. Disabling Approved Sign Code only affects sign-in attempts through the web browser at outlook.com or account.microsoft.com. Apps like Outlook for desktop, Outlook for Mac, or mobile email apps use app passwords or different authentication methods and are not affected by this setting.

What if I do not see the Approved Sign Code option in my security settings?

Your account may not have this feature enabled, or you may be looking in the wrong section. Make sure you are in the Security area of account.microsoft.com, not in Outlook settings. If you still cannot find it, your account type may not support this feature, or it may already be turned off.

Can I disable Approved Sign Code for only certain devices?

No. Approved Sign Code is an all-or-nothing setting for your entire account. When it is on, it applies to all new devices and locations. When it is off, it is off for everyone. You cannot turn it on for some devices and off for others.

If I turn off Approved Sign Code, will my password be less secure?

Your password itself does not change, but your account becomes easier to access if someone learns your password. Approved Sign Code adds a second barrier — even with your password, an attacker would need access to your phone or recovery device to sign in. Removing it means a password alone is enough to access your account.

How long does it take for the change to take effect?

The change is usually immediate, but it can take a few minutes to sync across all Microsoft services and devices. If you are still receiving approval notifications after 10 minutes, try signing out and signing back in.