MFA: Automatic Enrollment: Android - Microsoft Authenticator App

Article Type: How To

MFA Automatic Enrollment Instructions: Android - Microsoft Authenticator app

Please Note:

• Should you encounter “Allow my organization to manage my device” it is recommended Not to select this option.

• None of your personal data is stored from any phone device you select for MFA set up even with the authenticator app. Its only purpose is to authenticate and it cannot store data.

What you will need before you begin MFA set up:

Note: If you are not a new student or have not been notified of having a compromised account you will need to use MFA Self-Enrollment instructions to set up MFA rather than using instructions provided below.

1. Immediate access to the Phone you will select for your preferred verification option
2. A Computer with Internet connectivity

• Please note: If you are both employee and student, you will need to set up MFA on both your employee and student accounts. The Microsoft Authenticator application can support multiple accounts.  
• If you are employed or take classes at multiple Minnesota State University / Colleges you only need to do this once per employee/student account.

• TIP: Watch this short video before you begin: Multi-factor Enrollment - Automatic

Steps:

• Note: Illustrations and instructions may vary slightly.
• Step 1) On your Android phone:
  • a)  Go to the Play Store.
  • b)  Perform search for "Microsoft Authenticator". Install, then Open app.
  • (you may be prompted to enter your Google login)

• Step 2) Add Work or school account: 
  • a)  Select OK to the Data Privacy notification.
  • b)  Select SKIP if prompted to Add Personal Account or Add Non-Microsoft Account
  • c)  Select Add Account
  • d)  Select Work or school account.

• Step 3) Tap Allow to, "Allow Authenticator to take pictures and record video?" prompt.
  • Your phone will be ready to scan or manually enter the QR code (displayed in step 6).
  • Set your phone down and proceed to Step 4.

• Step 4) Switch to your computer:
  • a)  Browse to the Additional security verification page.
  • b)  Sign in with your username and password:
    • Student username: StarID@go.minnstate.edu
    • Employee username: StarID@minnstate.edu
  • c)  Click Next on the prompt More information required.
    • Please note, If you are both employee and student, you will need to set up MFA on both your employee and student accounts. The Microsoft Authenticator application can support multiple accounts.  
    • If you are employed or take classes at multiple Minnesota State University / Colleges you only need to do this once per employee/student account.

• Step 5) Displayed on your computer, on the Additional security verification page:
  • a)  Under, How do you want to use the mobile app?:
    • Select Mobile app from the drop down selection
  • b)  Select a verification method:
    • Receive notifications for verification (recommended - one-tap approval)
    • Use verification code (this option continually generates a verification code sent to your phone which you will need to accurately enter for verification).
  • Note, before you click Set up, the next screen will display a QR code; this QR code is time-sensitive, so be ready to scan the QR code with your phone.
  • c)  Click Setup

• Step 6) On your phone:
  • Scan the QR code, displayed on your computer, using your phone.

• After the QR code has been scanned, MNSCU and your account will display on your phone.

• Step 7) On your computer, on the Additional security information window:
  • Click Next. Displayed will be Step 2: Let’s make sure that we can reach you on your Mobile App device
  • Note: If you have set up a PIN or biometric face/fingerprint to access your phone, you may be prompted for this to proceed.

• Step 8) On your phone the Authenticator app will prompt you for approval or display a verification code:
  • If you selected – Receive notification for verification:
    • Select Approve prompted on your phone
  • If you selected – Use verification code:
    • On your computer, enter the verification code received on your phone, then click Verify

• Step 9) On your computer, on the Additional security verification page:
  • a)  A prompt to "Secure your account by adding phone verification to your password" and "Step 2: In case you lose access to the mobile app" will be displayed.
  • b)  The phone number you enter should be a different number other than your mobile device; this is to help ensure you are not locked out of your account in the event you do not have immediate access to your primary phone, your battery is dead, your primary device is lost, stolen or damaged or you get a new phone or number.
    • Consider using a spouse or trusted family member’s phone as the added back-up phone number (i.e. the "added phone verification to your password").
    • Note: This added phone number will not be called for validation during this set up process.
  • c)  Select country and ensure you have entered the correct phone number before clicking Done.

Your account is now set with MFA protection!

If you need assistance with MFA please contact IT Service Desk.