关于Microsoft 365账户设备列表显示公共设备及相关功能的咨询

Hey there! Let's unpack all your questions about Microsoft 365's device list and those confusing public computer entries showing up:

• Why do public computers appear in my device list?
  When you log into Office.com in a private browser window, even though private mode doesn't save local cookies, Microsoft's authentication system still creates a temporary device record tied to your login session. This happens because you completed 2-step verification, which flags the session as a "trusted" one (even for a public device) to streamline future logins (though private mode undermines this a bit). The system captures a blurred version of the device's browser fingerprint/hardware info to generate this entry.

• Why don't I see a difference when checking "remember device" or clicking Yes/No?
  That "remember device" option and trust prompt are designed for regular (non-private) browser windows. In normal mode, checking it would let you skip 2-step verification on that same device/browser later. But private windows erase all session data when closed, so the system can't retain that "remembered" state—hence no visible change. The Yes/No trust prompt suffers the same issue: private mode wipes the session before the setting can take effect.

• What's the actual use of the device list?
  This list tracks all devices that have been authenticated and linked to your Microsoft 365 account. Its core purposes are:

  • For your own devices: Let you remotely locate, lock, or wipe Windows devices if they're lost/stolen, manage permissions for Microsoft services on the device, and revoke access if needed.
  • For temporary/public devices: Even though they shouldn't be long-term entries, the list lets you instantly terminate their access to your account. For example, if you forget to log out of a public computer, you can remove it from the list to end that session immediately.

• Why isn't my Android phone (with Office app signed in) showing up?
  The device list primarily displays devices that logged into Microsoft 365 via a browser, or devices with full Microsoft Account integration (like Windows PCs or Surface devices). The Office app on Android uses its own app-specific authentication flow, which doesn't register the phone as a "device" in this list. If you'd like your Android phone to appear, you need to sign into the system-level Microsoft Account on your phone (not just the Office app).

• Why do deleted public devices come back?
  Each time you log into Office.com on a public computer's private window, the system generates a new temporary device record—even if you deleted the old one. The new login session triggers fresh device recognition, so the entry reappears. To minimize this, always manually log out of your account (click your profile icon in the top-right of Office.com and select "Sign out") after using a public computer. You can also periodically clean up old public device entries from your list as needed.

备注：内容来源于stack exchange，提问作者WeAreOne