How To Set Up the Microsoft Authenticator App For MFA

New Authentication Method - Microsoft Authenticator App

Microsoft Authenticator is a reliable MFA solution that adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. With the app, you can verify your identity quickly and securely. 

How to Get Started: 

  1. Download the Microsoft Authenticator App: 
  2. Installation and Setup: 
    • Install the app on your mobile device. 
    • Follow the instructions from the attached document to add your work or school account. 
    • You can receive notifications or generate verification codes in the app. 
  3. Enroll in MFA: 

The Microsoft Authenticator app is an easy alternative to using a text or phone call for multifactor authentication and is the best method for accounts that multiple users monitor, i.e., departmental email accounts.  Please consider migrating to this method

as Microsoft may soon only support an authenticator app, and SMS and phone calls will no longer be supported.

Follow the steps below to set up the app for MFA (note the on-screen prompts in the app may vary slightly between the iOS and Android versions). 

 

(Google Authenticator is also an option if preferred, starting on step 4):

 

1.      Sign into your account via Outlook Web at http://mail.office365.com using a desktop or laptop browser, click on your name in the upper right, then choose VIEW ACCOUNT.  (these steps can be done with a mobile browser but using a desktop browser may be simpler and is recommended.)

You can also click this My Account portal link to go directly to your security info:




2.      Select Security info in the left menu or by using the link in the Security info pane. If you are currently on MFA, you'll be prompted for it. Next, select Add method in the Security info pane:

 



3.      On the Add a method page, select Authenticator app from the list, and then select Add.

 

4.      On the Start by getting the app page, select Download Now to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Scan the QR code matching your mobile device type, you can also get the authenticator app by using this link.

If you can't scan the QR code, click the Get the app button under your mobile device type.

 

(If you prefer to use Google Authenticator instead of MS Authenticator, choose I want to use a different authenticator app):



5.      Remain on the Set Up Your Account page on your desktop or laptop while you set up the Authenticator app on your mobile device:


6.      Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select to allow notifications (if prompted), select Add Account then choose Work or School account.  Choose Scan QR Code. 

(If it takes you to a sign-in screen, click cancel then begin again by clicking

Add Account, Work or School account again.  You are looking for the Scan

QR Code prompt.)

Note: The first time you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app, you might receive a prompt asking whether to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to allow the app to take pictures and record video (Android). You must select Allow so the authenticator app can access your camera to take a picture of the QR code in the next step.

7.      Return to the Set up your account page on your computer or laptop, and then select Next.

The Scan the QR code page appears:



8.      Scan the provided code with the Microsoft Authenticator app QR code reader, which appeared on your mobile device after you created your account in Step 6.

 

(If using Google Authenticator, open the authenticator app, click on the + in the bottom right, choose to scan a QR code, and scan the QR code. This will connect your authenticator app with your account.)

 

9.      The authenticator app should successfully add your account without requiring any additional information from you. However, if the QR code reader can't read the code, you can manually enter the code and URL into the Microsoft Authenticator app.

 

10.      Select Next on the Scan the QR code page on your computer. A notification is sent to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, to test your account.



11.      Approve the notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and then select Next. 

Your security info is updated to use the Microsoft Authenticator app by default to verify your identity when using MFA or password reset.


This article was published by

Hafiz Muhammad Tauqir
Senior System Administrator



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