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MFA - How to Set Up the Microsoft Authenticator App

MFA - How to Set Up the Microsoft Authenticator App

This guide shows you how to install and set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device. You'll use it to confirm your identity when signing in with your SSD account.

🔐 What is Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft Authenticator adds a second layer of protection to your SSD account. When you sign in, a prompt appears on your phone asking you to enter a 2-digit code shown on your computer or device. After entering the code, you’ll confirm it with your phone’s passcode or biometrics. This verifies that you are the one logging into your account. The Microsoft Authenticator app also supports newer sign-in methods like passkeys and passwordless, allowing you to access your SSD account without typing a password.

Microsoft Authenticator serves as your digital ID badge for your SSD account. It verifies your identity each time you sign in. The app does not access your personal data or track activity on your device. If it asks for your location, it is only to confirm the country from which you are signing in. Your exact location is never saved or tracked. The app is safe to install on personal devices and is used only to help you log in.

✅ What You Need

  • A smartphone with a camera

  • A computer or laptop with internet access

  • Your SSD login (email and password)

💻 Step 1: Begin Setup on Your Computer

Note for IT Staff: For users unable to authenticate using a previous method, a Temporary Access Pass (TAP) is required. Please issue one to allow the user to proceed with setting up this new device.

Complete these steps on your computer.

  1. On your computer, open a web browser (e.g. Google Chrome).

  2. Go to: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info

  3. Sign in using your SSD email and password.

    image-20260224-175518.png

  4. Click the button that says “Add sign-in method.”

    image-20250605-201404.png

  5. Choose “Microsoft Authenticator” from the list and click “Add.”

    image-20250605-201533.png

“Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator” is NOT the same. In this article, be sure to only select “Microsoft Authenticator”

  1. Click “Next” to proceed with the setup.

    image-20260224-180114.png

  2. Click “Next” to proceed with the setup.

    image-20260224-180222.png

  3. Keep this page open. This QR code must be scanned with the Microsoft Authenticator app.

    image-20260224-180436.png

     

Proceed with Step 2: Installing the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.

📱 Step 2: Installing the Microsoft Authenticator App

iPhones must run iOS 16.0 or later and Android devices must run version 8.0 or later. If your device does not meet these requirements, you will need to request a security key instead.

If you get a new phone, you’ll have to set up the app again. To remove the old one, go to: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info

Complete these steps on your mobile device.

🍏 For iPhone (iOS)

Here is the direct link to the Microsoft Authenticator app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-authenticator/id983156458

  1. Find and tap the App_Store_(iOS).png App Store icon (it’s blue with a white “A” made of popsicle sticks).

  2. Tap the search bar at the bottom of the screen.

    1_iOS_Search_Page.png

  3. Type: Microsoft Authenticator

    2_iOS_Search_Results.png

  4. Look for this app:

    image-20250605-172514.png

    • Name: Microsoft Authenticator

    • Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

    • Icon: White background, dark blue lock, light blue person inside

Verify that it's the correct app. If it asks you to pay or start a free trial, it's not the real one. The real Microsoft Authenticator app is completely free.

  1. Tap the blue button that says “Get”, then confirm if your phone asks.

    3_iOS_Install_MS_Authenticator.png

    1. Example – You may need to confirm to install the app.

      4_iOS_Installing_MS_Authenticator.png

  2. Once it has installed, Tap the blue button that says “Open”

    5_iOS_Open_MS_Authenticator.png

Approve App Permissions

  1. Tap the blue “Accept” button.

    6_iOS_Accept_Required_Data.png

REQUIRED – You must accept this for the app to work. No personal data is collected.

  1. Tap the blue “Continue” button.

    7_iOS_Improve_MS_Authenticator.png

OPTIONAL – You do not need to share usage data with Microsoft.

  1. Tap the “Scan a QR code” button.

    8_iOS_Select_Scan_a_QR_code.png

  2. Tap “Allow” when asked to give camera access.

    9_iOS_Allow_Camera_Access.png

Camera access is required to finish setup. It’s only used to scan the code and nothing more.

Scan the QR Code

  1. Line up the QR code inside the box on your phone screen so the app can scan it.

    10_iOS_Preparing_to_Scan_QR_code.png

  2. Tap “Allow” so the app can send you sign-in requests.

    10_iOS_Scan_QR_code_to_Enroll.png

REQUIRED – You must allow notifications to get sign-in requests.

  1. After tapping “Allow,” you’ll be taken to the Authenticator home screen.

    11A_iOS_Authenticator_Homepage.png

Seeing your SSD account here means setup is almost complete.

Completing the Two Digit Sign-In Code

  1. Back on your computer, click “Next” to verify the authenticator.

    image-20260224-180847.png

  2. Look at the 2-digit code shown on your computer screen.

    image-20260224-181040.png

  3. Enter that code into your app and tap “Yes” to allow the sign-in.

    11B_iOS_Enter_Two_Digit_Code-20250605-155114.png

You may be asked to enter your phone’s passcode or use fingerprint after tapping “Yes” — this confirms it’s really you.

  1. Tap “OK”, if you see the “App lock enabled” message pop up.

    12_iOS_Applock_Enabled_Notification-20250605-160022.png

  2. Back on your computer, you should see “Authenticator Added.” Click the blue “Done” button to complete the setup.

    image-20260224-181221.png

  3. You’ll be redirected to My Sign-Ins, confirming your newly setup Authenticator app.

    8_MySignins_confirming_Authenticator_enrollment-20250605-155516.png

Reopening the App to Test Sign-In

  1. Close and re-open the Authenticator app on your phone.

  2. If prompted, tap “Allow” to grant the app access to Face ID or your phone's unlock method.

    14A_Applocker_Allowing_Face_ID-20250605-164933.png

If your phone asks for a passcode or fingerprint, that’s just how you normally unlock your phone–not an MFA code. This keeps the app secure. Nothing is shared with Microsoft.

  1. Your SSD account should appear once more on the app’s main screen.

    14B_iOS_Authenticator_Homepage-20250605-155020.png

You’re all set! You can now use your phone to confirm your login when signing into your SSD account. Thank you for helping keep our district safe.

 

🤖 For Android

Here is the direct link to the Microsoft Authenticator app: ‎https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.azure.authenticator&hl=en_US

  1. Find and tap the google-play-store.png Play Store icon (it’s a triangle with green, yellow, red, and blue).

  2. Tap the search bar at the top.

    2_Android_Search_Play_Store.png

  3. Type: Microsoft Authenticator

    3_Android_Search_Results-20250606-154327.png

  4. Look for this app:

    image-20250606-161351.png

    • Name: Microsoft Authenticator

    • Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

    • Icon: Blue background with a white lock

Verify that it's the correct app. If it asks you to pay or start a free trial, it's not the real one. The real Microsoft Authenticator app is completely free.

  1. Tap the blue button that says “Install”, then confirm if your phone asks.

    4_Android_Install_MS_Authenticator_App-20250606-154402.png

  2. Once it has installed, Tap the blue button that says “Open”

    5_Android_Open_MS_Authenticator_App-20250606-154441.png

Approve App Permissions

  1. Tap “Allow” on the popup prompt to enable notifications.

    6A_Android_Allow_Notifications-20250606-154525.png

REQUIRED – You must allow notifications to get sign-in requests.

  1. Tap the blue “Accept” button.

    6B_Android_Accept_Required_Data-20250606-160259.png

REQUIRED – You must accept this for the app to work. No personal data is collected.

  1. Tap the blue “Continue” button.

    7_Android_Skip_Improving_Authenticator-20250606-170059.png

OPTIONAL – You do not need to share usage data with Microsoft.

  1. Tap the “Scan a QR code” button.

    8_Android_Select_Scan_a_QR_code.png

  2. Tap “Allow” when asked to give camera access.

    9A_Android_Allow_Camera_While_using_the_app-20250606-154818.png

Camera access is required to finish setup. It’s only used to scan the code and nothing more.

Scan the QR Code

  1. Line up the QR code inside the box on your phone screen so the app can scan it.

    9B_Android_Scan_the_QR_Code-20250606-155155.png

  2. Tap “OK”, if you see the “App lock enabled” message pop up.

    9C_Android_Applock_Enabled_Notification.png

  3. Once the QR code is scanned, your SSD account will appear on the home screen.

    10_Android_Account_added_successfully-20250606-155326.png

You might see “Account added successfully” pop up briefly at the bottom.

Seeing your SSD account here means setup is almost complete.

Completing the Two Digit Sign-In Code

  1. Back on your computer, click “Next” to verify the authenticator.

    image-20260224-180847.png

  2. Look at the 2-digit code shown on your computer screen.

    image-20260224-181040.png

  3. Enter that code into your app and tap “Yes” to allow the sign-in.

    11_Android_Complete_2_Digit_Prompt-20250606-155446.png

You may be asked to enter your phone’s passcode or use fingerprint after tapping “Yes” — this confirms it’s really you.

  1. Once approved, you’ll see a brief message that says “Approved” at the bottom of the screen.

    12_Android_Setup_is_Complete-20250606-155535.png

  2. Back on your computer, you should see “Authenticator Added.” Click the blue “Done” button to complete the setup.

    image-20260224-181221.png

  3. You’ll be redirected to My Sign-Ins, confirming your newly setup Authenticator app.

    8_MySignins_confirming_Authenticator_enrollment-20250605-155516.png

Reopening the App to Test Sign-In

  1. Close and re-open the Authenticator app on your phone.

  2. If prompted, tap “Allow” to grant the app access to biometrics or your phone's unlock method.

    14A_Applocker_Allowing_Face_ID-20250605-164933.png

If your phone asks for a passcode or fingerprint, that’s just how you normally unlock your phone–not an MFA code. This keeps the app secure. Nothing is shared with Microsoft.

  1. Your SSD account should appear once more on the app’s main screen.

    13_Android_Homepage.png

You’re all set! You can now use your phone to confirm your login when signing into your SSD account. Thank you for helping keep our district safe.

 

🔓 Make Sign-In Easier Without a Password

Once you’ve set up the Microsoft Authenticator app, you can take it a step further by turning on passwordless sign-in. Instead of typing your SSD password every time, you’ll get a prompt on your phone, enter the 2-digit code shown on your screen, and tap “Yes” to approve. It’s faster, easier, and helps keep your account secure. If you’d like to turn on passwordless sign-in, follow the steps below.

🔑 Enabling Passwordless in the Microsoft Authenticator

Passwordless sign-in makes logging in easier, but you'll still need to remember and use your password at times.

Complete these steps on your mobile device.

Passwordless authentication is not supported on macOS devices.

🍏 For iPhone (iOS)

  1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.

  2. Tap on your SSD account shown on your Authenticator app.

    1_iOS_Authenticator_Homepage.png

  3. Tap “Set up passwordless sign-in requests” to get started.

    2_iOS_Authenticator_Account.png

  4. Tap the blue “Continue” button.

    3_iOS_Device_Registration-20250611-161624.png

REQUIRED – You must accept this for the app to work. No personal data is collected.

  1. Sign in with your SSD account with your password.

    4_iOS_Authenticator_Signin.png-20250611-161624.png

  2. You will be provided with a two digit code on your phone to approve your sign-in.

    5_iOS_Authenticator_Prompt-20250611-162118.png

  3. On your phone, enter the two digits provided, and tap “YES” to confirm.

    5B_iOS_Authenticator_Prompt-20250611-161624.png

  4. Tap on the blue “Register” button to link your phone to your SSD account.

    6_iOS_Authenticator_Register_Device-20250611-161624.png

REQUIRED – SSD cannot see anything on your phone. Registering your device is safe and only links it to your account.

  1. After tapping “Register,” your phone will prompt you to use Face ID or enter your phones passcode to allow passwordless sign-in.

    7_iOS_Authenticator_FaceID_Device_Register-20250611-161624.png

  2. After using Face ID or your passcode, two green checkmarks will be shown. You might be here for a minute or two while it completes.

    7B_iOS_Authenticator_Device_Register_Complete-20250611-161624.png

  3. You’ll be redirected to the app homepage. Tap your SSD account again to continue.

    9_iOS_Authenticator_Homepage.png

  4. If you see “Passwordless sign-in requests” under “Ways to sign in or verify,” your setup is complete.

    10_iOS_Authenticator_Passwordless_Verified.png

Setup complete! Your phone can now be used to sign in without a password.

 

🤖 For Android

  1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.

  2. Tap on your SSD account shown on your Authenticator app.

    image-20250606-211033.png

  3. Tap “Set up passwordless sign-in requests” to get started.

    image-20250606-211251.png

  4. Sign into your SSD account with your password.

    image-20250606-211625.png

  5. Tap on the “Approve sign-in?” notification, enter the two digits provided on your phone, and tap “YES” to confirm.

    image-20250606-212018.png

  6. Tap on the blue “Continue” button at the bottom.

    image-20250606-212456.png

  7. Tap on the blue “Register” button to link your phone to your SSD account.

    image-20250606-212604.png

REQUIRED – SSD cannot see anything on your phone. Registering your device is safe and only links it to your account.

  1. Tap on the blue “Register” button to progress through the setup.

    image-20250606-212835.png

  2. Tap on the “Approve sign-in?” notification, enter the two digits provided on your phone, and tap “YES” to confirm.

    image-20250606-212018.png

  3. After tapping “Yes,” your phone will set up passwordless sign-in. This may take a minute.

    image-20250606-213302.png

  4. Tap “Done” to complete the passwordless setup.

    image-20250606-213553.png

  5. You’ll be redirected to the app homepage. Tap your SSD account again to continue.

    image-20250606-211033.png

  6. If you see “Passwordless sign-in requests” under “Ways to sign in or verify,” your setup is complete.

    image-20250606-214125.png

Setup complete! Your phone can now be used to sign in without a password.

 

 

 

 

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