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Okta - How to set up Microsoft Authenticator MFA

You will need 

• University of Sussex login details ready. (e.g. ano123@sussex.ac.uk and not Andrew.N.Other@sussex.ac.uk) and your normal Sussex IT account password
• Computer connected to the internet (please ensure that the page you are currently reading is on your computer and not your phone)
• Your smartphone
• Approximately 10 minutes to complete the task

Note: If your smartphone does not support QR code scanning we recommend using Okta Verify or Google Authenticator. 

How to set up

Note: The Microsoft Authenticator app works in conjunction with the Google authentication set up. This is not a mistake.

1. [phone] Download the Microsoft Authenticator app from the Apple App or Google Play store onto your smartphone.

2. [Computer] Visit https://okta.sussex.ac.uk/ and sign into your Okta account.

a. Log in using your IT username and password (e.g. ano123@sussex.ac.uk)

b. You may be prompted to fill in a security question if this if your first time visiting or signing into Okta.

3. [Computer] Click the arrow in the top-right hand corner and click on Settings in the drop-down menu.  

4. [Computer] Under the 'Security Measures' section, click 'Set up' next to the Google Authenticator option. (Yes, this is correct)

a. You may be prompted to re-enter your password. 

5. [Computer] Click the ‘Set Up’ button again on the following page.

6. [Phone] Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone and tap ‘Add account’ or tap the ‘+’ (plus) icon in the top-right corner.

a. If requested, give the app permission to send you notifications. 

7. [Phone] Under ‘Choose account type’, select ‘work or school account’.

8. [Phone] Tap ‘Scan a QR code’.

a. If requested, give the app permission to use your camera.

b. If your smartphone does not support QR code scanning we recommend using Okta Verify or Google Authenticator. 

9. [Phone] Position your phone camera over the QR code that’s open on your computer screen and wait for it to register.

10. [Computer] Once your phone has registered the QR code, click 'Next' on your computer. 

11. [Phone] On the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone, tap your username to reveal the code to then be entered into the Okta page open on your computer screen.

How to use

1. Next time you log into an app that requires MFA, you may be required to open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone and manually enter the code into the log-in page on your computer.

Thanks for setting up your authenticator, you’re all done. If you experience any issues using your authenticator when prompted, please contact the IT Service Desk by visiting the  ITS Help Page.  

Support

Visit the  MFA info page.

Visit the  Okta info page. 

Please read our  full list of FAQs. 

If you can't find the answer you're looking for please visit the  ITS Help page.   

created on 2023-03-29 by Benoit Sharp
last updated on 2024-09-05 by Benoit Sharp