Set Up Microsoft Authenticator on Your Phone

Use this guide to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. When you sign in to your Microsoft 365 account, Authenticator confirms it's really you. This extra check is called multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Before You Start

Your Microsoft 365 work email address and password
Your phone (iPhone or Android)
A computer with a web browser
If you got a new phone: IT has removed your old phone from your account. Contact IT first if they haven't. Until they do, sign-in requests keep going to your old phone.

NOTE

You'll switch between your computer and your phone during setup. Each step starts with which one to use.

Step 1: Sign In on Your Computer

On your computer, open a web browser and go to https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/.
Enter your work email address and click Next.
Enter your password and click Sign in.
On the Let's keep your account secure page, click Next.

Step 2: Install Microsoft Authenticator on Your Phone

On your phone, install the Microsoft Authenticator app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
On your phone, open Authenticator and accept the prompts that appear the first time it opens. When it asks to send you notifications or use your camera, tap Allow.

NOTE

Authenticator needs notifications to send you sign-in requests, and the camera to scan the QR code in the next part.
On your computer, click Next on the Install Microsoft Authenticator page.
On your computer, click Next on the Set up your account in app page.

Step 3: Scan the QR Code

On your computer, a QR code (a square barcode) appears. Leave it on the screen.
On your phone, in Authenticator, open the QR code scanner:
1. First time using the app: tap the option to scan a QR code.
2. Already have other accounts in the app: tap the blue QR code button in the bottom-right corner.
Point your phone's camera at the QR code on your computer screen.

Result: Your work account is added to Authenticator.
On your computer, click Next.

Step 4: Approve the Test Sign-In

On your computer, the Let's try it out page shows a number.
On your phone, an Are you trying to sign in? message appears. Type the number from your computer and tap Yes.
If your phone asks for Face ID, your fingerprint, or your phone's passcode, confirm it.
On your computer, the Authenticator Added page appears. Click Next.

How to Know It Worked

Open Authenticator on your phone. Your work email address is listed.

If Something Goes Wrong

The camera doesn't open, or the QR code won't scan: Authenticator needs permission to use your camera. On your phone, open Settings, find Authenticator, and turn on camera access. Then try again.
The sign-in request doesn't pop up on your phone: Open the Authenticator app. The request shows there. To get pop-ups next time, open your phone's Settings, find Authenticator, and turn on notifications.

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