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Set up MFA in Microsoft 365 / Office 365 as a user

4 min read Filed underSecurityMultifactor Authentication2FA
Multi-Factor Authentication Setup Guide                                           
 
Brief Overview: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has been enabled for your Office 365 account. MFA is an authentication method that requires more than one verification method for users when signing into the Office Portal. When you log into a Microsoft 365 application (Outlook/Word/etc.) for the FIRST time after setup, as well as anytime you switch devices, you will be required to enter an MFA in addition to your email and password.
 
To receive the verification code, a one-time setup of the MFA verification method is required. This guide explains how to set up the MFA verification method.t
 
  • Go to www.office.com from any browser
    •  You will be prompted to setup the MFA verification method.

You can select one or all three available methods shown in the table below. How you receive the verification code or notification will depend upon the verification method you select. The table below provides an overview of the available methods: 

#

Verification Method

Verification code / Notification

Description

1

Authentication via Mobile Text

**** PREFERRED METHOD FOR EASE

Send me a code by text message

Sends a text message containing a verification code. The user is prompted to enter that code into the sign-in interface.

2

Authentication via phone

Call me

Places an automated voice call. The user answers the call and presses # on the phone keypad to authenticate.

4

Mobile app

Code

The Microsoft Authenticator app generates a new verification code every thirty seconds. The user enters this verification code into the sign-in interface.

Use this verification method in case you do not receive cellular

service
Note: You can change the verification method after the initial setup.

 

Step 1: Log in to your Office 365 account
  1. Log in to your Office 365 account. After you enter your user ID and password, a screen will prompt you to set up the additional security verification.
  2. Click on the “Set it up now” option.
   

Step 2: Select verification method On the Additional Security Verification screen, you will be asked to select the verification method and how you want to receive the code (i.e., contact method). The drop down will provide your three choices for the verification methods.
   

 Below are the setup instructions for all the verification methods:
a.     “Authentication Phone” method:
    1. Select the Authentication Phone option from the drop-down list.

 

 
    1. Select Unites States as the country name if not already selected.
    2. Enter the 10-digit cell phone number by which to be contacted. Do not include spaces, parentheses, or any other punctuation marks.
    3. Select how you want to receive the verification code.
If you want to receive the code via text message, then select “Send me a code by text message”.If you want to be called instead of receiving the code, then select “Call me”.
    1. Select Contact Me
    2. If you selected “Send me a code by text message”:
      • You will receive a code via text message.
      • The screen will now ask you to enter the code sent to your phone. After you enter the code, click on Verify.
 
 

 
    1. If you selected “Call me”:
      • You will receive an automated call. Answer the call and when instructed, press # on the phone keypad.

 

 
      • After your call is completed, you should see the following screen. Click Done to continue.
 
 

 
    1. You will be directed to your Office 365 account.
 b.       “Mobile App” method:
    1. Select Mobile App option from the drop-down list and click on Setup.
 
 

 

    1. You will see the following screen.
 
 

 
    1. On your phone, download and install the “Microsoft Authenticator” app.
    2. In the app, add an account and choose “Work or school account”. Below is a screenshot as seen on an iPhone.
 
 

 

    1. If you are prompted to allow the Microsoft Authenticator to use your camera, click on OK.
 
 

    1. After the camera is turned on, scan the image on your computer screen, and then click
Done.
    1. A six-digit code will show on your phone. Enter that code and click on Verify.
 
 

 

    1. Enter your cell phone number and click on Next.

 

 
 

 

 

 

    1. You will be directed to your Office 365 account.

 

After setting up the verification method

 

 
 


The next time you log into your O365 account after you enter your user ID and password, you will be challenged to authenticate yourself. Depending on the verification method chosen, you will either need to enter the verification code or answer the automated phone call. Below is an example of the screen prompting you to enter the verification code.