---
title: PingID desktop app (workforce only)
description: Understand which version of PingID desktop app to use based on where you manage PingID.
component: pingone
page_id: pingone:strong_authentication_mfa:p1_pid_desktop_app_version_overview
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingone/strong_authentication_mfa/p1_pid_desktop_app_version_overview.html
revdate: October 28, 2025
section_ids:
  characteristics-of-the-different-desktop-app-versions: Characteristics of the different desktop app versions
  pingid-desktop-app: PingID desktop app
  pingid-desktop-app-legacy: PingID desktop app (Legacy)
---

# PingID desktop app (workforce only)

The PingID desktop app has two versions. The versions available and their names in the UI vary according to where you manage PingID.

* **Managed through PingOne**:

  * Two versions are available: **PingID Desktop app** and **PingID Desktop app (Legacy)**.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | - The **PingID desktop app** in a **PingOne managed environment** is a new application that provides a consistent passwordless experience across different browsers for users of Mac or Windows machines. While it doesn't yet offer full feature parity with the legacy PingID desktop app, it will replace it when the full feature set becomes available.

- PingOne continues to support the **PingID Desktop app (Legacy)**, and you can enable both versions in the relevant [PingOne MFA policy](p1_creating_an_mfa_policy_for_strong_auth.html) while you transition your users to the new version. |

* **Managed through the PingID admin portal**:

  * Only one version is available. Although labeled in the UI as **PingID Desktop app**, it is actually the legacy version.

## Characteristics of the different desktop app versions

### PingID desktop app

The latest version of PingID desktop app. Only available when PingID is managed through PingOne.

**Key characteristics:**

* Enables a passwordless authentication experience.

* Requires the relevant configured DaVinci flows

* Administrator-only installation

* Device registration through the **PingID Desktop app** pairing flow in MyAccount, or on-the-fly registration using DaVinci.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | This version doesn't yet support some features that are available through the PingID desktop app (legacy), such as use of a one-time passcode (OTP), PIN code. Ping Identity is working towards feature parity between this new version of PingID desktop app and the legacy version. |

**PingID desktop app documentation**

* [(Workforce only) Configuring the PingID desktop application](p1_pid_desktop_app_start.html)

### PingID desktop app (Legacy)

The legacy version of the desktop app.

**Key characteristics:**

* In the PingID admin portal UI, **PingID Desktop app** refers to the legacy version.

* Authentication using an OTP.

* User installation through the UI, or administrator installation through the CLI

* Device registration through the **PingID Desktop app (Legacy)** pairing flow in the My Account, Devices page, or on-the-fly registration.

* Passwordless authentication not available

**PingID desktop app (Legacy) documentation**

* For PingOne environments: [PingID desktop app (legacy)](p1_pid_desktop_app_v1.html).

* For the PingID admin portal: [The PingID admin guide: PingID desktop app (Legacy)](https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid/pingid_service_management/pid_desktop_app_authentication.html).