[MFA Modernization Pilot] Add MFA Sign-in Method: Microsoft Authenticator Passkey

⚠️ WARNING: This article is intended for participants in the MFA Modernization Pilot only. If you are not a pilot participant, the information in this article may not apply to you. Contact the IT Service Desk if you have questions about your current sign-in experience.

This article walks you through adding a passkey in the Microsoft Authenticator app as a multi-factor authentication (MFA) method for your University of Maine System (UMS) account. A passkey lets you sign in using your device's biometrics (such as fingerprint or face recognition) instead of a password.

Before You Begin

You will need all of the following before starting:

  • 💻 A computer with a web browser
  • 📱 A mobile device (Android 14 or later, or iOS 17 or later)
  • 📱 The Microsoft Authenticator app updated to the latest version
  • 📱 Microsoft Authenticator already added as a sign-in method on your account

If you have not yet added Microsoft Authenticator as a sign-in method, follow these instructions before continuing: Microsoft Entra: How to Set Up the Microsoft Authenticator App for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Guided Walkthrough

Use the interactive walkthrough below to follow along step by step. You can also continue to the written instructions below.

Instructions

  1. 💻 On your computer, open a web browser and go to aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.
  2. 💻 Confirm that Microsoft Authenticator is listed as an existing sign-in method.
  3. 💻 Under "Security info," click Add sign-in method.
  4. 💻 In the "Add a sign-in method" box, select Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator.
  5. 💻 In the "Create a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" box, review the requirements, then click Next.
  6. 💻 A "Finish creating your passkey in Authenticator" screen will appear. Continue on your mobile device.
  7. 📱 On your mobile device, open the Microsoft Authenticator app.
  8. 📱 Tap your University of Maine System account.
  9. 📱 Under "Other ways to sign in," tap Create a passkey.
  10. 📱 On the "Let's create your passkey" screen, tap Sign in.
  11. 📱 Enter your password, then tap Sign in.
  12. 📱 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete verification, then tap Continue. Your verification method may differ from the example shown on screen.
  13. 📱 If prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to allow Authenticator to use passkeys.
  14. 📱 Once Authenticator is enabled for passkeys, tap Continue.
  15. 📱 Wait while your passkey is created.
  16. 📱 You will see a "Passkey created" confirmation screen. Tap Done.
  17. 💻 Back on your computer, click Next.
  18. 💻 You will see a "Passkey created" confirmation screen. Click Done.
  19. 💻 You should now see Passkey (Device bound); Microsoft Authenticator listed as a sign-in method under Security info.

You have successfully added a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator as an MFA method for your UMS account.

Environment

  • Applies to all University of Maine System (UMS) accounts
  • Requires Microsoft Authenticator to already be set up on your account
  • Compatible with Android 14 or later and iOS 17 or later
  • Requires a web browser on a computer to complete setup
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