Microsoft Authenticator: Enrollment Instructions

Starting October 30th, 2026, Oakland University is requiring all faculty, staff, and students to register with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) through Microsoft Authenticator. This article describes the process for enrolling your account in Microsoft Authenticator after October 30th, 2026. If you would like to pre-enroll in Microsoft Authenticator prior to October 30th, 2026, please refer to the Microsoft Authenticator: Managing Sign-In Methods support article instead.

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Table of Contents

Procedures

• Steps for Enrollment
• Downloading Microsoft Authenticator 
• Scanning the QR Code
• Verifying Enrollment
• Adding an Alternate Email Address

Procedures

Steps for Enrollment

When attempting to sign in to a university resource after October 30th, 2026, if you do not already have Microsoft Authenticator registered with your account, you will be prompted for enrollment in Microsoft Authenticator. Enrollment in Microsoft Authenticator is required, and you must follow the on-screen prompts or the guide below. 

Downloading Microsoft Authenticator

1. Click the Next button on the screen above to begin the enrollment process.
2. When prompted to install Microsoft Authenticator, click the Next button and install the Microsoft Authenticator application from the Apple App Store on iOS devices, or Google Play on Android devices. Click the Next button once you have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed.

Scanning the QR Code

1. You will now be prompted to transition to your mobile device to continue the registration process. Click the Next button on the Set up your account in app screen. You will now be presented with a QR code that will be scanned within the Microsoft Authenticator application on your phone. 

2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator application on your mobile device. Tap "Allow notifications", if prompted. Followed by "Accept" or "Continue" on any privacy policy or feedback prompts:

3. Once you have reached the “Secure your Digital Life” screen, or the “Welcome to Authenticator” screen, tap the "Add work or School Account" button, followed by "Scan QR Code". Note: If you already have non-OU accounts in Microsoft Authenticator present, press the "+" button in the upper-right corner of the screen on the application, followed by "Add work or School Account" and "Scan QR Code".

4.  If you are prompted to grant access to your camera to scan for the purposes of scanning the QR code, tap "Allow"

5.  Use your phone to scan the QR code that appears on-screen.

Verifying Enrollment

You should now be prompted to verify that enrollment was successful. A notification will be sent to your phone. Tap the notification that was sent and enter the two digit number that appears on-screen:

If you are not receiving a push-notification on your phone from Microsoft Authenticator, you can double-check they are enabled by taking the following steps: 

• On Apple iOS Devices: Open the "Settings" app -> Tap "Notifications" -> Scroll to the "Authenticator" application under "Notification Style" and tap on it -> Ensure "Allow Notifications" is turned on. 
• On Android Devices: Open the "Settings" app -> Tap "Notifications" -> "App Notifications" -> Scroll to the "Authenticator" application and tap on it -> Ensure "Allow Notifications" is turned on.

Adding an Alternative Email Address

At some point, you will be prompted to add a secondary, non-Oakland University email address to your account. If you are not prompted for this email after enrolling in Microsoft Authenticator, you will be prompted to do so at a later date. This email is used in the event you need to verify your identity during a password reset.

You can use any secondary, non-Oakland University email address for this purpose. If you would like to create a new email account specifically for this, you can use the instructions below to create a new, non-Oakland University email account with Google: 

• Google Support: Instructions for Creating an Email Account with Google

Once your secondary email address is ready, take the following steps to add it to your account: 

1. Click the Done button if you are still on the Authenticator Added screen. 
2. Enter your alternate email in the text field when prompted to add a secondary email, then click Next

3. You will now receive an email from Oakland University / Microsoft with a one-time verification code. Enter the code that was sent to the alternate email into the text field:

After entering the one-time code and clicking "Next", you should see a verification screen indicating your alternate email address has been added. 

For answers to questions regarding Microsoft Authenticator/MFA, please see the article below:

• OU Support: Microsoft Authenticator Information and FAQs

Please reference the following article to see an overview of all other articles pertaining to Microsoft Authenticator and the new Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) solution: 

• OU Support: Microsoft Authenticator & SSPR - All Support Articles

Additional Support

Should you encounter any issues with an existing account in the Microsoft Authenticator application, or to report general issues with the application, the OU Technology Center can provide technical support. Their contact information is below: 

• 44 Oakland Center
• Rochester, MI 48309-4479
• (248) 370-4357
• Office Hours: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm