Introduction to Setup MFA with Mobile App
The instructions further below will demonstrate how to setup MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) on a Mobile App (Microsoft Authenticator) for Microsoft 365. The Microsoft Authenticator app is the best MFA option to set as the default for its security and reliability. Choose this option if you would prefer to receive an approval notification or one-time password code in the app to protect your account. Note: A phone number will be added to the account during the setup.
Looking for general information, instructions on how to add more MFA options, or need assistance troubleshooting an error? Here are the other articles available about MFA for Microsoft 365:
- For general information and tips about MFA, check out the How to Setup MFA for Microsoft 365 article.
- Want to add more MFA options to your account, or looking to edit your existing settings? Learn how to make changes in the Add and Edit MFA Options for Microsoft 365 article. We recommend setting up multiple methods so you have more than one that can be relied on.
- Running into a problem or error message setting up MFA? Check out the Troubleshooting MFA for Microsoft 365 article for known issues and how to work around them.
- For more MFA options, check out these setup guides for the other methods available:
Below are the instructions on how to setup MFA with the mobile app. There are two sets of instructions, one for receiving notifications (approve) and the other for sending a verification code (one-time password code). Choose whichever method you prefer.
How to Setup MFA with Mobile App – Receive Notifications (Approve)
Note: If the steps below are hard to work with on one device, consider using two devices in this setup process, preferably a desktop/laptop device for applying the Mobile app option to your device, and of course your mobile device itself to install and setup the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Microsoft also provides this YouTube video that gives an overview of MFA and what the Mobile app will look like. Due to security policy, screenshots from within the Microsoft Authenticator app will not be available in the instructions below.
1. Begin by logging in to your Microsoft 365 account (college email address).
2. During the initial setup of MFA, you will be directed to the following More information required prompt. Click Next to proceed.
3. You will now be directed to the Additional security verification screen to begin choosing which MFA option you would like to use.
4. To setup MFA so that you will use the Mobile App to approve your sign in:
- Select Mobile app in the dropdown.
- Select the Receive notifications for verification option in the How do you want to use the mobile app? section below.
- Click Set up to proceed.
5. A new Configure mobile app box should now appear. Take note of the Microsoft Authenticator app that you will install on your mobile device (ex. Android, iOS). This will be the app you will use for this MFA method.
6. On your Mobile device, install the Microsoft Authenticator app. This will be available via the appropriate app store depending on the operating system of your phone (ex. Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
7. After installing the app, locate and open the app on your device (appearance of icon may vary).
8. Once in the app, there should then be an option for Scan a QR Code to select. This should enable the mobile device’s camera to scan the QR code located back on the Configure mobile app prompt (seen in Step 5 of these instructions). Use your mobile device to scan this QR code and the account should be successfully added.
Notes: You may notice that the Configure mobile app instructions refers to adding a Work or school account. While this option may be available, scanning the QR code usually provides the best results, especially during initial setup of MFA. Scanning the QR code may be tricky and require backing out and trying again to refocus the camera.
9. Back on the Configure mobile app prompt, click Next and then you should be returned to the Step 1 screen (seen in step 4 of these instructions) where the Set up box will now be grayed out and a message that indicates the Mobile app has been configured. Click Next to proceed.
10. You will now be on the Step 2 screen indicating to respond on the mobile device. At this point you should receive an Approval request on your mobile device via the Microsoft Authenticator app. Select Approve on your mobile device to confirm.
Note: You may receive a screen lock prompt on your device at this time. This will be whichever option you have setup on your mobile phone to protect your device, such as a lock screen, pin, or fingerprint.
11. Once approved, you will then be automatically brought to the Step 3 screen to include a phone number on the account in case access to the app is lost. Select the country and then enter your phone number to the blank field (ex. 321XXXXXXX). Click Next to proceed.
12. Lastly, you will now be on the Step 4: Keep using your existing applications page. This will include an App Password that can be used under special circumstances (apps and devices that don’t support two-factor verification), but likely won’t be needed in most cases. Click on the Done button to conclude the setup.
Note: You can click the paper icon to the right of the randomly generated password to Copy the text so that you may Paste and save the app password in a secure location.
13. With the MFA setup, you can then proceed to your account. If you are using Outlook Web, you may be given the prompt to Stay signed in. Keep in mind that while other Outlook applications may only prompt to approve your login via the Mobile app one time, Outlook Web will ask you to approve through the app each time you need to log back in. Once approved through the app, you will be all set!
Note: The mobile app provides some versatility that a few options are available for verification, such as the approval method explained in these instructions, as well as a verification code (One-time password) found in the Microsoft Authenticator app, among others.
Alternative method:
How to Setup MFA with Mobile App – Verification Code (One-time Password)
Note: If the steps below are hard to work with on one device, consider using two devices in this setup process, preferably a desktop/laptop device for applying the Mobile app option to your device, and of course your mobile device itself to install and setup the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Microsoft also provides this YouTube video that gives an overview of MFA and what the Mobile app will look like. Due to security policy, screenshots from within the Microsoft Authenticator app will not be available in the instructions below.
1. Begin by logging in to your Microsoft 365 account (college email address).
2. During the initial setup of MFA, you will be directed to the following More information required prompt. Click Next to proceed.
3. You will now be directed to the Additional security verification screen to begin choosing which MFA option you would like to use.
4. To setup MFA so that you will use the Mobile App to send a verification code:
- Select Mobile app in the dropdown.
- Select the Use verification code option in the How do you want to use the mobile app? section below.
- Click Set up to proceed.
5. A new Configure mobile app box should now appear. Take note of the Microsoft Authenticator app that you will install on your mobile device (ex. Android, iOS). This will be the app you will use for this MFA method.
Note: You may notice the Configure app without notifications link to the right of the QR code. This will slightly change the setup process where only One-time password codes will be available to use with no other notifications enabled from the mobile app.
6. On your Mobile device, install the Microsoft Authenticator app. This will be available via the appropriate app store depending on the operating system of your phone (ex. Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
7. After installing the app, locate and open the app on your device (appearance of icon may vary).
8. Once in the app, there should then be an option for Scan a QR Code to select. This should enable the mobile device’s camera to scan the QR code located back on the Configure mobile app prompt (seen in Step 5 of these instructions). Use your mobile device to scan this QR code and the account should be successfully added.
Notes: You may notice that the Configure mobile app instructions refers to adding a Work or school account. While this option may be available, scanning the QR code usually provides the best results, especially during initial setup of MFA. Scanning the QR code may be tricky and require backing out and trying again to refocus the camera.
9. Back on the Configure mobile app prompt, click Next and then you should be returned to the Step 1 screen (seen in step 4 of these instructions) where the Set up box will now be grayed out and a message that indicates the Mobile app has been configured. Click Next to proceed.
10. You will now be on the Step 2 screen indicating to enter the verification code from the mobile app.
- At this point, open the Microsoft Authentication app if it isn’t already and then select your account (Eastern Florida State College with your email address).
- Under One-time password code there will be a 6 digit number that you will enter, which is the verification code. This code is on a 30 second timer and a new one will take its place, so it must be entered quickly.
- Enter the code into the field on the Step 2 screen of the MFA setup. Then click Verify.
Note: You may receive a screen lock prompt on your device at this time. This will be whichever option you have setup on your mobile phone to protect your device, such as a lock screen, pin, or fingerprint.
11. Once approved, you will then be automatically brought to the Step 3 screen to include a phone number on the account in case access to the app is lost. Select the country and then enter your phone number to the blank field (ex. 321XXXXXXX). Click Next to proceed.
12. Lastly, you will now be on the Step 4: Keep using your existing applications page. This will include an App Password that can be used under special circumstances (apps and devices that don’t support two-factor verification), but likely won’t be needed in most cases. Click on the Done button to conclude the setup.
Note: You can click the paper icon to the right of the randomly generated password to Copy the text so that you may Paste and save the app password in a secure location.
13. With the MFA setup, you can then proceed to your account. If you are using Outlook Web, you may be given the prompt to Stay signed in. Keep in mind that while other Outlook applications may only prompt for the one-time password code via the Mobile app one time, Outlook Web will ask you for a verification code through the app each time you need to log back in. Once the code has been entered, you will be all set!
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