Sign in to Windows offline (offline codes)

When your work computer cannot reach the service (on a plane, without network), Windows asks for an offline code of that computer. Prepare it before you need it.

How do I get the offline code?

1. Sign in once on that computer while it is connected, with phone approval. At its next sync, the computer receives your offline code.
2. In the console, open «Protect» › «Trusted devices» › «One-time codes».
3. In the «Offline codes for Windows» section, choose «Show my offline codes». The console asks for a recent confirmation.
4. One QR per computer appears («Offline code for PC-001»). Scan it with your authenticator app.

If «You have no offline code yet. Sign in once on your computer while it is connected.» appears, do step 1 first.

How do I sign in offline?

1. Type your Windows password.
2. The panel shows «No connection — offline mode (valid for 7 days more)» and «Enter the offline code».
3. Open your authenticator app, find that computer's code and type the 6 digits.

The panel tells you to open the approver app and look for "Offline codes": in practice, the code is in the authenticator app where you scanned the console's QR.

What are the limits?

• It works only on that computer.
• Only within the offline window (by default 7 days since the last sync) and a number of sign-ins (by default 20). The panel shows how many are left.
• Each code works once per 30-second interval.
• It never works for remote desktop.

When the network is back, your next sign-in asks for phone approval again.

I have no code or it stopped working

Your administrator may have revoked it, or you never signed in online on that computer. Use recovery with support: see Recovery with support.