Overview

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) require verification methods in order to identity the user as legitimate.  At any time, you can add, update or delete your authentication/verification methods. 

This article provides a summary of adding and deleting the Authenticator App as a method.    

To set up the Microsoft Authenticator app

1. Sign in to your work or school account and then go to your https://myaccount.microsoft.com/ page.

   

2. Select Security info in the left menu or by using the link in the Security info pane. If you have already registered, you'll be prompted for two-factor verification. Then, select Add method in the Security info pane.

   

3. On the Add a method page, select Authenticator app from the drop-down 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.

   

    Note

   If you want to use an authenticator app other than the Microsoft Authenticator app, select the I want to use a different authenticator app link.

   If your organization lets you choose a different method besides the authenticator app, you can select the I want to set up a different method link.

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

   

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

   If this is the first time you're setting 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.

   

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.

   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 the Can't scan the QR code link 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.

9. 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.

   

10. 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.

Delete your authenticator app from your security info methods

If you no longer want to use your authenticator app as a security info method, you can remove it from the Security info page. This works for all authenticator apps, not just the Microsoft Authenticator app. After you delete the app, you'll have to go into the authenticator app on your mobile device and delete the account.

 Important

If you delete the authenticator app by mistake, there's no way to undo it. You'll have to add the authenticator app again, following the steps in the Set up the authenticator app section of this article.

To delete the authenticator app

1. On the Security info page, select the Delete link next to the Authenticator app.

   

2. Select Yes from the confirmation box to delete the authenticator app. After the authenticator app is deleted, it's removed from your security info and it disappears from the Security info page. If the authenticator app is your default method, the default will change to another available method.

3. Open the authenticator app on your mobile device, select Edit accounts, and then delete your work or school account from the authenticator app.

   Your account is completely removed from the authenticator app for two-factor verification and password reset requests.