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Before You Start
- Read this whole guide first!
- This process works best using two different devices.
- A phone or mobile device to receive MFA prompts (steps below marked "On your phone:")
- Another computer or device to access your account (steps below marked "On your web browser:")
- Review supported mail apps: This is an important step since most built-in mail apps don't support MFA.
- See the App Compatibility chart below.
- Android: Only Outlook App works.
- iOS: Only specific versions of Mail app works, otherwise you need the Outlook App.
- If you do not have a supported app, you will need to install one.
- Review recommendations:
- Install Microsoft Outlook on your mobile phone/devices
- Install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile phone/devices
- Decide what "factors" you will use during setup.
- Other Information
App Compatibility
Operating System |
Mail App |
App Version |
Supported? |
Windows
7 or later |
Microsoft Outlook |
2010 or eariler |
No |
2013 |
Partial |
2016 |
Yes |
2019 |
Yes |
Other Mail App |
Any |
No |
MacOS
Mojave (10.14) or later |
Microsoft Outlook |
2013 or earlier |
No |
2016 |
Yes |
2019 |
Yes |
Other mail App |
Any |
No |
Android |
Microsoft Outlook App |
Get from App Store |
Yes |
Built-In Mail App |
Any |
No |
Other mail app |
Any |
No |
iOS |
Microsoft Outlook App |
Get from App Store |
Yes |
Apple Mail App (see considerations) |
10.x or earlier |
No |
11.x |
Yes |
12.x |
Yes |
Other mail app |
Any |
No |
1. Install the Microsoft Authenticator App:
2. Visit the MFA Setup Site
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3. Set Verification Options
- Chose "Mobile app" in the drop-down
- Select "Receive notifications for verification"
- Wait: The next part has a time limit (1-2 minutes), read all of part 4 below before clicking Set up.
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4. Link Your Phone
- 4.1 - On your phone: Open the Microsoft Authenticator App
- On the Accounts screen, select (iPhone) or (Android)
- Choose "Add account"
- Select "Work or school account"
- Notes:
- Your device may prompt you that the Authenticator app is requesting access to your camera
- Your device may prompt you that the Authenticator app is requesting to accept notifications
- Choose ACCEPT to Both Prompts.
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- 4.2 - On your web browser: Click Set up
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- The Configure Mobile App screen will display a QR code and a URL.
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- 4.3 - On your phone: Use the camera to scan the QR code
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- 4.4 - On your phone: Select Done to close the code screen
5. Successfully Linked
- On your phone: Note the 6 digit number under your account name.
- This code will not be used at this time, but it indicates a that the app is successfully linked to your account
- The code is on a perpetual timer that will refresh every 30 seconds
- On your web browser: Click Next
- The screen will indicate "Checking activation status"
- Click Next
6. Validate MFA for your Account
- On your web browser: the prompt will change to indicate MFA communication with your phone
- On your phone: Respond to the "Approve sign-in" prompt
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7. Add Phone Number
- On your web browser: Add the phone number for the device that runs the Microsoft Authenticator App
- Click Next
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8. Add an Additional Phone
- On your web browser:
- Under "What's your preferred option?" section, make sure "Notify me through the App" is selected.
- Enter one or more additional phone numbers: These numbers can be a landline or office phones and do not need to support mobile apps or even text messaging.
- Click Save
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9. MFA is Enabled on your Account
Your account is now enabled for MFA.