Setting Up MFA for Microsoft 365

    SAU #19 employees must have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled to access their accounts when working outside of school. If you have not yet set up MFA with a district technology staff member, please follow the steps below:

    Setting Up MFA with a Computer and a Mobile Device
    1. On your computer, log into myapplications.microsoft.com with your district username (username@sau19.org) and password.

    2. If you do not have MFA set up, you should see an Authentication required message. Click Continue.


    3. When the screen to keep your account secure appears, click Next.


    4. You will be prompted to download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Visit your device's app store and download this app. Once the download is complete, click Next.


    5. When the message appears to Set up your account in the app, click Next.


    6. When the message appears on your computer to Scan the QR code, open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. 


    7. Tap the + plus icon in the top right-hand corner.


    8. Click Work or school account from the menu.


    9. Click Scan QR code. Please Note: You will need to allow your phone’s permissions to use camera in this app. 


    10. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code displayed on your computer. If all is successful, your phone will ask for the code that is displayed on your computer.


    11. Once your account in connected to the app, click Next on the QR code message and you will receive a two-digit code. Enter this code on your phone to verify the set up.


    Your MFA should now be successfully set up, and you will be able to access your account and resources when working outside of school.


    Setting Up MFA on Your Mobile Device

    If you are using your mobile device to set up MFA, then you will be unable to scan the QR code with your phone to set up MFA; however, you can complete the setup using manual steps instead. Please follow these instructions:

    1. When the message appears on your phone to Scan the QR code, click Can't scan the QR code? and copy the code that appears.


    2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and click the QR Code icon in the bottom right-hand corner.


    3. Click Enter code manually.


    4. Click Work or school account.


    5. Paste the code you copied into the Code field.


    6. Go back to your Microsoft web browser app and copy the URL.


    7. Go back into the Microsoft Authenticator app and paste the URL into the URL field. Then click Finish.


    Your MFA should now be successfully set up, and you will be able to access your account and resources when working outside of school.


    Troubleshooting:

    If things aren’t working as described above, you can attempt to start over yourself by deleting the account in the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. To do this please follow these steps:


    1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone.


    2. Tap the account you just added.


    3. Click the gear icon in top right-hand corner.


    4. Click Remove account. 


    5. Repeat the steps outline in this article to set up the MFA account again.


    If you are unable to successfully set up your MFA account, please reach out to a tech support person for assistance.


    Published