What is the Microsoft Authenticator App?
- The Microsoft Authenticator app allows you to sign in securely, with the peace of mind that only authorized users have access to your emails and Office 365 data.
- With the recent requirement to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), you are now required to provide a two-step verification when accessing your Microsoft accounts. The first verification step is your account password; the second is via a text message, phone call, or Authenticator App.
- The Microsoft Authenticator app is a secure application that meets the requirements of the MFA two-step verification, allowing you to see a one-time use code without needing a phone call or text message verification.
Why do I need the Microsoft Authenticator App?
- The Microsoft Authenticator app allows you to safely share your Microsoft account credentials with up to 5 authorized devices.
- The most common use for this is but is not limited to, offices that share a single Microsoft account with multiple individuals.
- An example of this is your location has three office professionals that all monitor a single mailbox, but they work varying shifts or at different physical locations. They are unable to receive a shared text message or phone call code.
- Once the Microsoft Authenticator app is installed and set up on each of their phones or tablets, they will need to open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select the appropriate Microsoft account they are accessing, and log in to the online account to check email. They will enter the username and password to access the account, then as step 2 of the verification, will then enter the code shown on the Authenticator app.
How do I get started and get the app?
From your iPhone, iPad, or Android Smart Phone, go into the App Store, and search for Microsoft Authenticator it is important that you are downloading the official Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device. (iPhone / iPad download) (Android download).
How do I set up the Microsoft Authenticator App?
- Begin by using a computer web browser to navigate to https://www.office.com, then press the orange Sign In button.
- You can log in using your email address and password. Note: This email address will begin with your dba, such as mclennancounty@mollymaid.com or mclennancounty.owner@mollymaid.com; do not use an alias such as bill.billson@mollymaid.com If you need assistance with logging in, please call (254) 405-6757.
- Once you have successfully logged in to your Office.com account, you need to navigate to the Security Info page.
- From the top right corner of the page, click your profile icon. This will open a small menu.
- Select View Account
- From the left-hand panel of menu options, select Security Info.
4. Select the button labeled + Add sign-in method from the Security Info page.
5. From the "Add a method" pop-up box, select the method labeled Authenticator App. 
6. The Microsoft Authenticator getting started window will appear; if you have not already done so, you will need to install the Authenticator app.
From your iPhone, iPad, or Android Smart Phone, go into the App Store, and search for Microsoft Authenticator it is important that you are downloading the official Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device. (iPhone / iPad download) (Android download).
While remaining in front of your computer, please keep your phone or tablet nearby; you will need them for the following steps of the setup process.
Then press the blue Next button to get started.
7. From your mobile device, select open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select the option to Add An Account, then select the option listed Work or School.
From your computer, press the blue Next button to continue.
8. Select the option to Scan the QR Code from your phone, then position your phone’s camera over the QR code shown on your office.com Security Info page.
Note: If you receive a prompt asking whether to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to allow 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 do not allow the camera, you can still set up the authenticator app as described in Manually add an account to the app.
After you use your phone or tablet to scan the QR Code shown on your computer screen, press the blue Next button to continue.
Please do not attempt to scan the QR code in this instruction document.
9. You will see a notification from your phone or tablet that says, "Approve sign-in?"
If this message notification shows you the correct email address, press the Approve button on your phone or table.
While your device connects to the Microsoft Authenticator setup on your computer, the Next button will be grey, and you will not be shown the blue Next button until the connection is successful.
Please wait for 5 to 45 seconds while the connection is made from your mobile device.
10. Once the sign-in is approved from your Microsoft Authenticator app, you can select the blue Next button to continue on your computer’s screen.
This will close the setup wizard.
11. CONGRATULATIONS you successfully have connected the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone or tablet. There is one more step before you have fully completed the process.
12. From your computer, remain on the Security Info page. You will need to set the Default sign-in method.
- From the default sign-in line, select the blue Change button.
- Which method would you like to use to sign in?
Select the Authenticator app or hardware token – code, then press the blue Confirm button.
YOU’VE COMPLETED THE SETUP! You can now use the Authenticator app to verify your login credentials when using office.com or other Microsoft 365 apps.
How do I use the app to sign in to Office 365?
- From your phone or tablet, open the Authenticator App.
- Select the account that you intend to log in to. You will see a One-time password code that will automatically refresh every 30 seconds.
- From your computer web browser, navigate to https://www.office.com, then press the orange Sign In button.
- You can log in using your email address and password.
Note: This email address will begin with your dba, such as mclennancounty@mollymaid.com or mclennancounty.owner@mollymaid.com; do not use an alias such as bill.billson@mollymaid.com
If you need assistance with logging in, please call (254) 405-6757. - After entering your login credentials, you will be prompted to enter the code that is shown on your Authenticator App, then press the blue Verify button.
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