MFA: Reactivation - Microsoft Authenticator app

Article Intended For

This article is intended for Penn State faculty. staff, and students who were previously enrolled in Microsoft MFA at Penn State or would like to enroll another Microsoft authenticator app.  

Introduction

This article lists step-by-step instructions to reactivate your Microsoft Authenticator app if your phone number was previously enrolled in Microsoft MFA. These steps will work if you're attempting to add another authenticator app as well. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Navigate to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
2. On the Microsoft sign-in screen enter your Penn State user ID + "@psu.edu" and click Next.
3. Enter your Penn State password and click Sign In.
4. When presented with the Microsoft MFA screen select one of the following methods to authenticate:
   1. Text - Enter text message code on computer screen. 
   2. Call - Answer phone call and press the # key.

         5. After authenticating with text/call you will be directed to the My Sign-ins page where you can reactivate the Microsoft Authenticator app.
         

         6. Select Add sign-in method (Shown in the screenshot above) 

         7. Select Authenticator App and then select add.

         8. Set up your account by opening the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone. 

• press "Next" when you see the prompt below on your computer screen to get the QR activation code (Shown in step 11). 

         9. press the + icon in the top right corner.

         10. On your smartphone select work or school account. 

• Select Scan QR Code 

        11. If prompted, allow camera access on your smartphone to scan the QR code on your computer screen.        

        12.  After scanning the QR code you will be required to do a test Authentication to ensure the Microsoft authenticator app is working. 

        13. Enter the number that is presented on your computer screen within the Microsoft authenticator app.  

        14. If the number is entered correctly within the app you can complete setup by clicking next on your computer screen.  

        15. Microsoft Authenticator app is now activated and will be your primary method of MFA(Multifactor Authentication). 

Additional Resources:

• [MFA] - Microsoft Authenticator Enrollment