Guide

Use MFA at login

Updated on 7 July 2023

When you try to log in away from the campus network, no matter what device you're using, you will often be asked to enter your second login factor.

On this page

After you enter your University password and username, a second page will appear asking that you either enter a code or approve your login, depending on your MFA setup.

Getting your second login factor 

Via Microsoft Authenticator app

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and depending on your setup, either:

  • wait for the approval notification to appear, open your Authenticator app and enter the number shown to sign in, then tap YES, and approve, or 
  • type the randomly generated code shown in the app into the enter code field on the login page - if attempting to login on the same device you receive your second login factor to, simply tap the code in the app to copy it, then paste it over 

By call or text

Wait for the call or text to come through and depending on your setup, either:

  • answer your phone and follow the instructions, or
  • open the text and type the code it contains into the enter code field on the login page - if attempting to login on the same device you receive your second login factor to, simply hold down on the code in the text to highlight and copy it, then paste it over

Important: if you ever receive a prompt from the Microsoft Authenticator app that does not match your attempts to log in to or use a University service you must click “no, it’s not me” to block the attempt. 

Having trouble? Use an alternative method

If you followed our advice at setup, you will have registered different ways you can be contacted by Microsoft to receive your second login factor outwith your main setup.

You might need to use these if you forget the tablet you installed the Microsoft Authenticator app onto one day, for example, or if your cell signal isn't great and you can't receive the text message.

By selecting sign in another way at login, you can choose to get your second login factor through one of the alternative methods you've specified as a one-off. Don't see this? That means you haven't set up alternatives.

Sign in another way (multi-factor authentication)
Microsoft help guides