Add-MgApplicationPassword Cmdlet: A Comprehensive Guide

The Add-MgApplicationPassword cmdlet is a Microsoft Graph PowerShell command used to add a password credential to an application. This is particularly useful for managing app registrations and ensuring secure authentication for applications in Azure AD.

Cmdlet Syntax

Add-MgApplicationPassword -ApplicationId <String> -PasswordCredential <Hashtable>

Parameters

-ApplicationId: Specifies the ID of the application to which the password credential will be added.
-PasswordCredential: Accepts a hashtable containing the password credential details, such as displayName, startDateTime, and endDateTime.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Add a Password Credential with a Six-Month Expiry

This example adds a password credential to an application that expires in six months.

# Connect to Microsoft Graph with the required permissions
Connect-MgGraph -Scopes 'Application.ReadWrite.All'

# Define the application object ID
$appObjectId = 'eaf1e531-0d58-4874-babe-b9a9f436e6c3'

# Define the password credential details
$passwordCred = @{
   displayName = 'Created in PowerShell'
   endDateTime = (Get-Date).AddMonths(6)
}

# Add the password credential
$secret = Add-MgApplicationPassword -ApplicationId $appObjectId -PasswordCredential $passwordCred

# Display the details of the created secret
$secret | Format-List

Example 2: Add a Password Credential with a Start Date

This example sets both a start and end date for the password credential

# Connect to Microsoft Graph with the required permissions
Connect-MgGraph -Scopes 'Application.ReadWrite.All'

# Define the application object ID
$appObjectId = 'eaf1e531-0d58-4874-babe-b9a9f436e6c3'

# Define the start and end dates
$startDate = (Get-Date).AddDays(1).Date
$endDate = $startDate.AddMonths(6)

# Define the password credential details
$passwordCred = @{
   displayName = 'Created in PowerShell'
   startDateTime = $startDate
   endDateTime = $endDate
}

# Add the password credential
$secret = Add-MgApplicationPassword -ApplicationId $appObjectId -PasswordCredential $passwordCred

# Display the details of the created secret
$secret | Format-List

Cmdlet Tips

Connect to Microsoft Graph: Always ensure you have the necessary permissions, such as Application.ReadWrite.All, when using this cmdlet.
Password Expiry: Set the endDateTime property to define a valid expiry date for the credential. This improves security by enforcing rotation.
Avoid Hardcoding: Use dynamic values for application IDs and credential details to improve script flexibility and security.
Validate Application ID: Before running the cmdlet, ensure the application ID exists in Azure AD.
Review Permissions: Ensure your account has the proper permissions to modify application credentials.

Use Cases

Automated Credential Management: Use the cmdlet to programmatically add password credentials during deployment pipelines.
Temporary Access: Create credentials with limited validity for temporary application access.
Credential Rotation: Replace expiring credentials to maintain uninterrupted access.
Enhanced Security: Define specific start and end dates to ensure credentials are active only when needed.

Possible Errors and Solutions

Error	Cause	Solution
Insufficient privileges to complete the operation	The account used does not have the Application.ReadWrite.All permission	Assign the required permission and re-authenticate with Connect-MgGraph.
Invalid Application ID	The provided application ID is incorrect or does not exist.	Verify the application ID in Azure AD and retry the cmdlet.
PasswordCredential property is null or invalid	The hashtable passed to the -PasswordCredential parameter is malformed.	Ensure the hashtable includes valid keys such as displayName, endDateTime, and optionally startDateTime.
Value cannot be null. Parameter name: endDateTime	The endDateTime value was not provided in the -PasswordCredential parameter.	Specify a valid endDateTime value in the hashtable.

Conclusion

The Add-MgApplicationPassword cmdlet simplifies the process of managing password credentials for Azure AD applications, offering flexibility and security. By adhering to best practices and addressing common errors, administrators can seamlessly integrate this cmdlet into their workflows for secure and efficient application management.