Help CenterSetting up multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Office 365 account. MFA makes it moredifficult for someone else to sign in with just a stolen password. If this is a work account, your administrator would have to enable multi-factor authentication for you. For a personal account, you can turn MFA on in your security settings
After you or your IT has completed the Setup Multi-Factor Authentication Office 365 guide, this set-up process is meant to be intuitive and for the end user, but even the best of us can get stuck on something wholly unknown to us. Here is what the steps in this process will look like.
Setup Steps
- Start by going to https://portal.microsoftonline.com. Sign into Office 365 with your email and password like you normally do. After you choose Sign in, you will see this prompt:
- Choose Next
- Then, select your authentication method. The default is authentication by phone, which is typically a cellphone that can receive texts and calls. Enter your country/region and phone number. Then select if you prefer to be called or texted with the authentication number and hit Next (note: we highly recommend by text)
- If you choose text, you will receive a text with a verification code.
- Enter the code in the box and hit Verify.
- Most modern applications will allow multi-factor verification using this method. However, some older apps will require a specific new password. In the next step, you’ll get an app password that you can use with older versions of Outlook, and other apps.
- Hit the “copy” icon to copy the password to your clipboard and enter Outlook if needed. If you ever need this password in the future, you can find it after signing into office.com and going to security settings.
- Once you complete the instructions to specify how you want to receive your verification code, the next time you sign into Office 365, you’ll be prompted to enter the code that is sent to you by text message, phone call, etc. and hit Verify.
