Account & Password
Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
This guide walks you through setting up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your Microsoft 365 account using the Microsoft Authenticator app — the most secure and recommended method.
Time needed
10 minutes
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
4 clear sections
Before you begin
Your work email address and password. A smartphone (iPhone or Android). A computer or tablet to complete the web-based setup steps.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
- Instruction 1: On iPhone: open the App Store, search for Microsoft Authenticator, and tap Get.
- Instruction 2: On Android: open the Google Play Store, search for Microsoft Authenticator, and tap Install.
- Instruction 3: Open the app once installed. Tap the + button or Add Account — you do not need to do anything more in the app yet. Leave it open and return to your computer.
Action map
Install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
- 01
On iPhone: open the App Store, search for Microsoft Authenticator, and tap Get.
- 02
On Android: open the Google Play Store, search for Microsoft Authenticator, and tap Install.
- 03
Open the app once installed. Tap the + button or Add Account — you do not need to do…
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open Microsoft account security help for Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)Start MFA setup on the Microsoft 365 website
- Instruction 1: On your computer, open a browser and go to aka.ms/mfasetup (or sign in at portal.office.com — you may be prompted to set up MFA automatically on first login).
- Instruction 2: Sign in with your work email address and password.
- Instruction 3: If prompted with 'More information required', click Next to start the setup wizard.
- Instruction 4: On the 'Keep your account secure' page, click Next.
Link the Authenticator app by scanning the QR code
- Instruction 1: The setup wizard will ask you to download and open the Authenticator app. Since you did this in Step 1, click Next.
- Instruction 2: On the next screen, select Work or school account in the Authenticator app on your phone when asked to add an account.
- Instruction 3: The website will show a QR code. On your phone, tap Scan a QR code in the Authenticator app and point your phone camera at the QR code on the computer screen.
- Instruction 4: Your Microsoft 365 account will appear in the Authenticator app.
- Instruction 5: Click Next on the website. You will receive a test notification on your phone — tap Approve to confirm the setup is working.
- Instruction 6: Click Next, then Done on the website.
Sign in with MFA going forward
- Instruction 1: Each time you sign in to Microsoft 365, after entering your password you will receive a notification on the Authenticator app.
- Instruction 2: Open the app and tap Approve to complete the sign-in.
- Instruction 3: If you do not have your phone, you can choose to receive a code by SMS instead — see the 'Changing Your MFA Method' guide.
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
The QR code is not scanning
Make sure you have good lighting and hold the phone steady about 15–30 cm from the screen. If it still does not work, tap 'Can't scan image?' on the website to get a manual code you can type into the app instead.
I did not get the notification on my phone
Check that your phone has a data or Wi-Fi connection and that notifications are enabled for the Authenticator app. In the app, tap your account and then Refresh. You can also choose 'Use a code instead' on the sign-in screen and enter the six-digit code shown in the Authenticator app.
I have a new phone and cannot access the old Authenticator app
Contact the helpdesk. They can temporarily disable MFA for your account so you can sign in and re-enrol using your new phone.
Still need a hand?
Our support team can help with Microsoft 365.
Tell us where you got stuck and what you see on screen.