These instructions are for setting up the recommended Authenticator Mobile App on your mobile device. Because the Mobile app is the preferred method of MFA, you may have been sent to this page as a first-time user of MFA. If you would rather watch a video for these instructions please click here, otherwise continue with this page.
If you are looking for more information on MFA at SVSU, please use the related links section at the right of this page. The related links will explain how to set up other MFA methods, change phone, pin and security questions, and answer general MFA questions.
Plan ahead - Should you get a new phone, you will need to install and re-activate the Microsoft Authenticator app. Please review your security questions and answers before purchasing a new phone as you will need this information to activate the Mobile App. See the related article for more information.
- Get the Microsoft Authenticator App for Your Mobile Device
To begin setting the mobile app up as the preferred MFA method, you will need it to be installed on your device. If you are on campus, it will be helpful to be connected to the SVSU Secure WiFi. Then, search your store for Microsoft Authenticator and install it.
Android - Google Play Store
iPhone - App Store
- Open the Authenticator app.
- Select Skip.
- On a computer, open a browser and log in to mfa.svsu.edu.
If you have already set up your preferred method, you will need to authenticate with your previously chosen method.
- If you get a message that says “Login failed…” please contact the Support Center, 964-4225, so we can check your account status.
- If a dropdown labeled Method is not displayed, select Change Method from the menu on the left.
- Select Mobile App from the Method dropdown list.
- Then click the Generate Activation Code button.
- Create a 4-digit PIN number by typing a number into the PIN field.
- Retype the same number into the Confirm PIN field.
- Remember the PIN number you created for later!
- An activation code and QR Code has also appeared on your computer screen.
- On your phone, open the Authenticator app, tap the + symbol to add your account.
- Tap Work or School Account.
- Select OK to allow access to the camera.
- Aim the phone camera at the QR code on your screen to scan it. The activation code will time out after 10 minutes if that time exceeds, you will need to generate another activation code.
- On your phone, when the scan is complete, the screen will change. You will see that your account is listed in the Authenticator app on your smart device. A six-digit code will regenerate every thirty seconds. This means your account is active.
- On the computer, click the Authenticate Me Now button.
- Look for a notification on your device. Tap it to open the Authenticator mobile app.
- If your device has finger-print or facial recognition, you can take advantage of that feature. If not, type your four-digit PIN to authenticate.
- Click the Approve button.
- Create all four Security Questions. Security questions are presented to you one minute after attempting to log in. At that time, the screen will display 2 of these 4 security questions.
- You are done setting up Authenticator on your mobile device.From now on, when trying to access an SVSU service, a message will appear on the computer screen saying, “For security reasons, we require additional information to verify your account.” You will receive a notification via the Authenticator app. Choose to Approve the notification.
