When your account is ready to be configured for MFA and you login to a Kent State University system requiring MFA, you will receive a notification as you sign in informing you that more information is required. On this page, click "Next":

• If you are not prompted for this on login, GO HERE and login with your full @kent.edu email address.

Select one of the following options as your default MFA. We Recommend using the SMS Text and Phone Call:

• Configuration Steps for Mobile App with a Verification Code

• Configuration Steps for Mobile Phone SMS Text and/or Phone Call (Recommended)

It is recommended you configure more then one MFA option.  To configure a second option follow the instructions for the mobile app first and then use the instructions in the How to Configure Additional Multi-Factor Authentication Options to configure the phone number to receive SMS texts or phone calls. 

Configuration steps for “Mobile App with a Verification Code” 

• If you decided to use the Microsoft Authenticator app as one of your authentication verification methods, please install the app on your mobile device prior to starting this process.  The Microsoft Authenticator App is available for iOS and Android.
• MFA configuration should be done from a laptop or desktop. Configuring the Microsoft Authenticator App requires scanning a QR code displayed on screen. You will not be able to scan the QR code if you are configuring MFA on the same device that has the Microsoft Authenticator App installed.

Once you start the process of configuring the Microsoft Authenticator App, do not use your browser's "Back" button. If you need to stop configuration for any reason, use the “Back” buttons included as part of the configuration process. 

After clicking “Next” on the screen above, you will be redirected to the MFA configuration page. Setting up the Microsoft Authenticator App is the default option on this page. 

1. Make sure you have the Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device. Once installed, click "Next." 
   
   
    
2. In the Microsoft Authenticator App, click the icon to add new accounts. 

   

3. In the Microsoft Authenticator App, choose the “Work or School Account” option. This will open your camera with a box highlighted in blue. You will use this to scan your computer screen in Step 5.

   

4. Back on your laptop or desktop, click “Next” on the “Set up your account” screen. 

   

5. Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen with the Microsoft Authenticator App on your phone. After scanning the code, the view of your camera will disappear in the Microsoft Authenticator App. Click “Next” under the QR code displayed on your computer screen. 

   

6. On your computer screen will be number displayed for you to enter on your phone within the Authenticator App.
   
    
    
7. A notification will be sent to your phone to confirm that the Microsoft Authenticator App was configured successfully. Enter the number that is displayed on your computer screen (not the example above) and tap “YES” on the notification to complete setup of the Microsoft Authenticator App. 
   
   
    
8. When you have approved the notification on your phone and configuration is successful, the page on your computer screen will update to indicate that you approved the notification. Click “Next” to finish the MFA configuration. 
   
   
    
9. Review the information you configured and click "Done" to complete MFA configuration. 
   
   

These steps will configure your account to use the "Mobile App with a Notification" option by default. If you want to use the "Mobile App with a Verification Code" option by default, please follow the instructions in How to Change the Default Multi-Factor Authentication Option. 

It is recommended that you setup additional MFA options, please use How to Configure Additional Multi-Factor Authentication Options to configure the phone number to receive SMS texts or phone calls. 

Configuration steps for “Mobile Phone SMS Text” and/or “Phone Call”

Once you start the process of configuring a phone number for your account, do not use your browser's "Back" button. If you need to stop configuration for any reason, use the "Back" buttons included as part of the configuration process. 

• Note: Faculty and Staff may have an "Office Phone" configured automatically on their accounts. This is the contact number listed for your account in email and in Microsoft Teams. If your "Office Phone" is configured as a general office line that rings on several phones, use the instructions below to add your direct extension as well. 

After clicking "Next" on the screen above, you will be redirected to the MFA configuration page. Configuring your phone number for SMS texts and phone calls is not the default option. 

If you have not already setup the Microsoft Authenticator app and would like to setup additional MFA options, please use How to Reconfigure Multi-Factor Authentication Settings article. 

1. Click “I want to set up a different method" to change the option to be configured. 

   

2. In the “Choose security info” drop-down, choose “Phone” and then click “Confirm.” 

   

3. Verify your phone number's country or region code, enter the phone number you would like to configure, and select if you want to receive SMS texts or phone calls at that number. Then click "Next." 

            

4. Based on your choice above, you will either receive an SMS text message or a phone call to the number configured.  
   • If you chose “Call me” above, answer the phone call you receive and follow the instructions provided in the call to verify your phone number.  
   • If you chose “Text me a code”, you will receive a 6-digit code. Enter that code and click “Next”. If you do not receive the text, review the number you provided, and if it is correct, click “Resend code” to request a new message be sent.  
5. When you have successfully verified your phone number, you will see a message confirming your configuration. From this page, click “Done” to proceed to review your settings. 

             

6. Verify that your phone number is correct and click “Done” to complete the configuration.