Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Setup - SMS only

Before we begin:

The default authentication method is to use the free Microsoft Authenticator app. If you have it installed on your mobile device, follow the instructions here to complete the setup with the Authenticator app. If you don't have it installed there are links provided to download it.

If you don't want or cannot download the app, please follow the instructions below to setup using SMS for Multi Factor Authentication (or MFA).

With the Authenticator App or SMS setup, we cannot begin until MFA has been enabled for your O365 account. Please confirm it has been enabled with the IT team or site contact before starting the setup.
if you see the the More Information Required notification when trying to sign into office.com, MFA has been enabled and you can proceed with setup.

  1. Click next on the More Information Required window:
  2. Choose Authentication Phone from the drop down menu. Then Select country or region from the next drop down; the default is United States +1 for both US and Canada. Then select Send me a code by text message and click Next.
  3. Look for the SMS message to appear from Microsoft. The below messages are for iMessage, Android will look nearly identical.
  4. Enter the 6 or 7 digit code from the SMS message in the field provided on the setup page, the click Verify.
  5. Click Done.
  6. This may take you to a settings review page. It is safe to close this tab in the browser.

We will now move on to verifying your current logins. Typically there will be one authentication request for Outlook and Teams, one for company email on your phone (Outlook mobile app or Native email app), and one for any logins to the O365 portal or outlook online.

  1. Close and reopen the outlook / teams apps on you computer and you will get a pop up like this. Click the Text option - this will initiate the SMS message.
  2. Enter the 6 digit code in the field provided and click Sign In.
Sometimes you will only have to do separate authentication requests for outlook or teams and sometimes it will recognize the device as trusted only require it once, and not for each app. That being said, at least the first time, you can expect to have to do it for every authentication request. Outlook & Teams computer apps, Outlook and Teams mobile apps and O365 online logins.

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