Set up an authenticator app as a two-step verification method

authenticator app

You can configure an authenticator app to send a notification to your mobile device or a verification code as a security verification method. You are not required to use the Microsoft Authenticator app. And you can choose an alternative app during setup. Nonetheless, this article utilizes the Microsoft Authenticator application.

Important: You must download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app before adding your account. Follow the steps in the article. Download and install the app if you haven’t already.

Note: If the Mobile app option greys out, your organization may not permit the use of an authentication app for verification. In this case, you must choose a different method or contact your administrator for assistance.

Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app to send notifications

• Select the Mobile app from the Step 1: Additional security verification menu on the Additional security verification page. How should we get in touch with you?
• Select Receive notifications for verification from the How would you like to use the mobile app section. And then click Set up.

• The page Configure mobile app displays.

• Open the Microsoft Authenticator application. Choose Add account from the Customize and control icon in the upper-right corner, and then choose Work or school account.

Note: If you are prompted to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to take pictures and record video, select “Allow” (Android). For the authenticator app to take a picture of the QR code in the next step, choose Allow. You can still configure the authenticator app as described in Manually adding an account to the app if the camera is disabled.

• Scan the QR code from the Configure mobile app screen on your computer. Using the camera on your mobile device, and then select Next.
• Return to your computer and the Additional security verification page. Ensure that you receive a message stating that the configuration was successful, and click Next. The authenticator application will send a notification to your mobile device as a test.

• On your mobile device, select Approve.
• Add your mobile device’s phone number to the Step 3 field on your computer. If you lose access to the mobile app area, select Next. Microsoft suggests adding your mobile device’s phone number as a backup if you cannot access or use the mobile app.
• Continue using your existing applications while copying and pasting the provided app password in a secure location.

Note: Refer to Manage app passwords to learn how to use the app password with older apps. App passwords are only required if you continue to use older apps that do not support two-factor authentication.

• Choose Done.

Set up the Microsoft Authenticator app to use verification codes

• On the Additional security verification page, select Mobile app from Step 1: How should we contact you?
• Select Use verification code from the How do you want to use the mobile app area, and then select Set up.
• The Configure mobile app page appears.

• Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select Add account from the Customize and control icon in the upper-right, and then select Work or school account.

Note: If you receive a prompt asking whether to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to enable the app to take pictures and record video (Android). Select Allow so the authenticator app can access your camera to take a picture of the QR code in the next step. If you don’t allow the camera, you can still set up the authenticator app as described in Manually adding an account to the app.

• Use your device’s camera to scan the QR code from your computer’s Configure mobile app screen, and then choose Next.
• Return to your computer and the Additional security verification page. Make sure you get the message that says your configuration was successful, and then select Next. The authenticator app asks for a verification code as a test.
• From the Microsoft Authenticator app, scroll down to your work or school account. copy and paste the 6-digit code from the app into Step 2: Enter the verification code from the mobile app box on your computer, and then select Verify.

• On your computer, add your mobile device phone number to Step 3: If you lose access to the mobile app area, select Next. Microsoft recommends adding your mobile device phone number as a backup if you cannot access or use the mobile app for any reason.
• Step 4: Keep using your existing applications area, copy the provided app password and paste it somewhere safe.

Note: For information about how to use the app password with your older apps. See Manage app passwords. You only need to use app passwords if you continue using older apps that don’t support two-factor verification.

• Select Done.

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