How to Install the Microsoft Authenticator App on Your Phone

If your organization isn’t already using two-factor authentication to keep your Microsoft account information secure, we highly recommend that you set it up.

Ensure that each of your users is secure. In the event of a data breach, having two-factor authentication set up will help to keep your users’ account information safe.

According to Cyber Observer, “68% of business leaders feel their cybersecurity risks are increasing.” More alarmingly, Cyber Observer also reports that “Data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019.”

Cyber Observer reports that one of the most common causes of data breaches is weak and stolen credentials (passwords). (“29 Must-know Cybersecurity Statistics for 2020,” Cyber Observer, 2020.)

These facts solidify the importance of setting up two-factor authentication for all of your personal and professional accounts. That’s why we want to help you set it up for your Microsoft accounts to get the process started! Stay safe online.

One of the simplest ways to set up two-factor authentication for your Microsoft accounts is by installing the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.

Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Open a desktop browser. Go to portal.office.com and sign in to your Microsoft Office 365 for Business account. Different users may see different screens.
   1. If you see a “set it up now” button, click on it and select “mobile app” from the dropdown menu. Select “receive notifications for verifications.” Click “set up.”
   2. If you do not see this button, click on the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. In the dropdown menu, under “what’s your preferred option,” select “notify me through app.” Select the box for “Authenticator app or token,” then select “Set up Authenticator app.”
2. Proceed to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. 
   
3. Install a QR Scanner app on your phone. (i.e. TOTP Authenticator)
   
   
4. Once you have successfully installed a QR Scanner on your phone, scan the code Microsoft gives you and copy it to your clipboard. 
5. Open the Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.
   1. Choose “I agree” for permissions to use the app.
   2. Log in to the app with your Microsoft credentials or scan the QR code.
   3. Click “Add Account.”
   4. Go back to the main authenticator screen.

By following these steps, you will have enabled two-factor authentication for your Microsoft for Business account and improved your data security. Protecting your information matters!

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