To set up the Microsoft Authenticator app

  1. Go to your Security Info page - My Sign-Ins | Security Info | Microsoft.com 

  2.  Then, select Add method in the Security info pane.

    Security info page with highlighted Add method option

  3. On the Add a method page, select Authenticator app from the list, and then select Add.

  4. On the Start by getting the app page, select Download now to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, and then select Next. For more information about how to download and install the app, see Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app.

    Start by getting the app page

  5. Remain on the Set up your account page while you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.

    Set up the authenticator app page

  6. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app, select to allow notifications (if prompted), select Add account from the Customize and control icon on the upper-right, and then select Work or school account.

    Note: The first time you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app, you might receive a prompt asking whether to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to allow the app to take pictures and record video (Android). You must select Allow so the authenticator app can access your camera to take a picture of the QR code in the next step. If you don't allow the camera, you can still set up the authenticator app, but you'll need to add the code information manually. For information about how to add the code manually, see see Manually add an account to the app.

  7. Return to the Set up your account page on your computer, and then select Next. The Scan the QR code page appears.

    Scan the QR code using the Authenticator app

  8. Scan the provided code with the Microsoft Authenticator app QR code reader, which appeared on your mobile device after you created your work or school account in Step 6.

  9. The authenticator app should successfully add your work or school account without requiring any additional information from you. However, if the QR code reader can't read the code, you can select Can't scan the QR code and manually enter the code and URL into the Microsoft Authenticator app. For more information about manually adding a code, see Manually add an account to the app.

  10. Select Next on the Scan the QR code page on your computer. A notification is sent to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, to test your account.

    Test your account with the authenticator app

  11. Approve the notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and then select Next. Your security info is updated to use the Microsoft Authenticator app by default to verify your identity when using two-step verification or password reset.

    Success notification, connecting the app and your account



Approve the request on your Phone when you get the notification, which should look like the following.


Back on your browser, confirm your mobile phone number as an additional authentication method and press done.



Click Save, and Exit this window. You should now be successfully signed in to your office account, with the Microsoft App as your preferred method of authenticating.