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⚠️ 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 the Microsoft Authenticator app to your University of Maine System (UMS) account as a multi-factor authentication (MFA) sign-in method on an iPhone or iPad. Multi-factor authentication adds a second step to signing in, which helps keep your account secure.
ℹ️ INFO: We recommend setting up at least two sign-in methods on two different devices, such as the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone plus a passkey on your computer, so you are not locked out if you lose access to one device.
ℹ️ INFO: You may already use a different authenticator app or your device's built-in passkey manager. UMS IT primarily supports Microsoft Authenticator and passkeys, and we may not be able to help troubleshoot other apps if you run into issues.
How would you like to complete this setup?
ICON KEY: 💻 = do this on your computer 📱 = do this on your mobile device
Before you begin
- 💻 A computer with a web browser
- 📱 An iPhone or iPad
Setting up Microsoft Authenticator
- 💻 On your computer, open your default web browser and go to aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.
- 💻 Under "Security info," click Add sign-in method.
- 💻 Select Microsoft Authenticator from the list.
- Make sure you select Microsoft Authenticator, not Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator. If you would like to set up a passkey, that can be done after you finish setting up Microsoft Authenticator.
- 💻 When the "Install Microsoft Authenticator" box appears, click the download link below then select the iOS tab. It will show a QR code you can scan with your device to go straight to the app in the Apple App Store.
- 📱 On your iPhone or iPad, install and open the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- 💻 Back on your computer, click Next to display a QR code.
- 📱 In the Authenticator app:
- If this is the first account you're adding, tap Scan QR code on the "Ready to add an account?" screen.
- If you already have another account set up, tap the + icon in the upper-right corner, then select Work or school account on the "Add account" screen.
- 📱 If you selected Work or school account, a menu will appear. Tap Scan QR code.
- 📱 If prompted to allow the app to access your camera, allow access.
- 📱 Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.
- 📱 Your account will then appear in the app as University of Maine System with your @maine.edu email address.
- 💻 On your computer, you will see a "Let's try it out" screen showing a two-digit number.
- 📱 On your device, you will receive an "Are you trying to sign in?" prompt showing "University of Maine System" and your @maine.edu address. Enter the number from your computer screen into the field provided, then tap Yes.
- 💻 On your computer, you will see an "Authenticator app is set up" confirmation screen. Click Done.
You have successfully added the Microsoft Authenticator app as an MFA sign-in method for your UMS account. If this is the only sign-in method on your account, we recommend adding a second one on a different device before you finish. See the other articles in the How-To Guides collection for additional methods.
Use the interactive walkthrough below to follow along step by step.
If you run into an issue not covered here, see the MFA Troubleshooting knowledge base articles.
The IT Service Desk is available by phone, email, chat, and walk-up if additional support is needed.
Environment
- Applies to all University of Maine System (UMS) accounts
- iOS devices (iPhone/iPad)
- Requires a web browser on a computer to complete setup