Set Up Google Authenticator for UD two-factor authentication (2FA) and Microsoft multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Google Authenticator icon
 
Google Authenticator is a secure way to complete two-factor (2FA) and multi-factor (MFA) authentication requests on your mobile device. For more information about 2FA and MFA at UD, read UD Two-Factor (2FA) and Multi-Factor (MFA) Authentication.
 
Google Authenticator allows you to receive authentication codes on your device, but it does not support push notification, which allows you to receive a notification to approve or deny an MFA request.
 
If you're new to UD, use these directions to set up 2FA/MFA:
 
If you currently use text or voice to receive 2FA and MFA codes and want to use Google Authenticator, use these directions:
 
Tip: When you add your accounts to Google Authenticator, name them so that you can easily identify which account is for 2FA and which is for MFA.

Set up UD 2FA with Google Authenticator

  1. Using a Web browser on a computer, log in to My UD Settings.
    If you have not yet enrolled in 2FA, you must do so at the My UD Settings page before you can set up Google Authenticator.
  2. In the Authenticator App section on the Enroll in Two-Factor Authentication(2FA) page, follow the directions to download and install the Google Authenticator app on your mobile device.
  3. Open Google Authenticator on your mobile phone or device. Tap Get started at the bottom of the screen. Choose to Use Authenticator without an account
    If you've previously used UD 2FA and backed up the app by signing into a Google account, you can instead sign in to that account to transfer the codes to this device, and bypass the rest of these directions.

Option to continue by signing in to a Google account and to Use Authenticator without an account are indicated.

  1. On the next screen, choose Add a code. Then choose Scan a QR code.
    If you've previously used UD 2FA with a Google account, you can opt to Sign in to that account to transfer the codes 2FA to this device and skip the rest of the setup.

the Add a code button is displayed

  1. If you are prompted to allow Authenticator to access the Camera, choose OK.
  2. Point your mobile phone or device's main camera (back of the case) at the QR code displayed on your computer.

QR code example

  1. The account and codes appear in the Google Authenticator App on your mobile device.
    Example of code displayed on mobile device
  2. Make the account in Google Authenticator easier to identify by renaming it (optional).
    1. Press the account name.
      Depending on your device, a quick tap may show the option to copy. You may need to vary the pressure to have the option to rename the account.
    2. Tap the pencil icon.
    3. Rename the account so that it will be easy to identify. For example, UD 2FA.
    4. Tap Save.
  3. On your computer, choose Yes, I'm receiving 2FA codes from the Is your authenticator app set-up complete question.
  4. Choose and follow the onscreen prompts to set up a backup-up method of receiving 2FA codes. You can choose a UD-issued fob,a US phone number (text or voice), or a Non-UD email address (students only).
  5. On your computer, click the Next step button.
  6. Choose Authenticator app as the primary method for receiving a 2FA code. Use the code in the Authenticator app to verify your 2FA code.

Authenticator app is selected as the primary method of receiving 2FA codes

  1. Click the Next step button.
  2. You will be provided 2FA emergency codes. Print these one-time-use 2FA codes to use in an emergency or if you are traveling internationally.
  3. At the bottom of the page, click the Finish & submit button. 
  4. Verify that Two-factor authentication (2FA) in the My account information section now reads: You are enrolled in two-factor authentication.
  5. Click Logout.

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Set up Microsoft MFA with Google Authenticator

Use MFA with any UD Microsoft Office for Education web page or program, such as downloading Microsoft Office or accessing Microsoft Exchange (Outlook).

  1. On your mobile device, go to the app store, search for Google Authenticator. Install the software.
  2. Using your computer's web browser, go to portal.office.com.
  3. Log in with your UD email credentials.
  4. The For added security, we need to further verify your account prompt appears. Choose Set it up now.
  5. Under Step 1 (on the screen), choose Mobile app from the Authentication phone drop-down list.
  6. The Start by getting the app window opens. Choose I want to use a different authenticator app, and click Next
  7. In the Set up your account window, click Next.
  8. Click Add method. Choose Authenticator App, and click Add.
  9. When the Start by getting the app window opens, choose I want to use a different authenticator app, and click Next
  10. Open Google Authenticator on your mobile phone or device. Tap Get started at the bottom of the screen. Choose to Use Authenticator without an account
    If you've previously used UD 2FA and backed up the app by signing into a Google account, you can instead sign in to that account to transfer the codes to this device, and bypass the rest of these directions.
  11. The MFA account and codes appear in Google Authenticator on your mobile device.
  12. On your computer, click Next.
  13. Type the code from your mobile device in the Enter code field on your computer, and click Next.
  14. On your computer, enter the code from the app, and click Next.
  15. On your computer, make sure that Authenticator app or hardware token - code is set as your default authentication method. It it is not, click Change, and choose Authenticator app or hardware token - code. Then click Confirm, and follow on screen steps to confirm the change.

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Change your existing 2FA setup to Google Authenticator

  1. Go to My UD Settings to manage your 2FA settings.
  2. Click Change my two-factor authentication (2FA).
  3. If Authenticator is not listed in the 2FA methods section, follow steps below. Otherwise proceed to step 4. 
    1. Download and install Google Authenticator from the Play Store or Apple Apps store.
    2. Open the Google Authenticator App on your mobile device, and click the + sign to add a new account.  If you don't see the plus sign, tap BEGIN SETUP.
    3. Click Personal account.
    4. Tap Scan QR code. Using your mobile device, scan the QR code to configure Google Authenticator for UD. 
    5. The account appears in the Google App on your computer as "University of Delaware - username@UDel.edu".
    6. Make the account in Google Authenticator easier to identify by renaming it (optional).
      1. Tap the account name.
      2. Tap the pencil icon.
      3. Rename the account so that it will be easy to identify. For example, UD 2FA.
      4. Tap Done.
  4. In the Current 2FA settings/2FA methods section, click Change primary method.
  5. From the Primary method menu, choose Authenticator app (recommended).

Authenticator app is selected from the Primary method drop-down menu.

  1. Click Save.
  2. Type the code from the Authenticator app on your mobile device in the 2FA code field, click Verify code, and then click Close.
  3. Click Done.

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Change your existing MFA setup to Google Authenticator

  1. On your computer, open a web browser to access your UD Microsoft Online Account at https://myaccount.microsoft.com
  2. If you are prompted to choose an account type, choose Work or school account.
  3. On your computer, log in using your UD email address and your UDelNet password.
  4. In the Security info box, click UPDATE INFO
    1.  If Authenticator app or hardware token - code appears in the list of sign-in methods, complete the steps below. Otherwise, use the directions in section B.
      1. Click Change to change the Default sign-in method.

The "Change" link is indicated

  1. Choose Authenticator app or hardware token - code from the drop-down menu, and click Confirm.
  2. Follow the onscreen steps to confirm the default sign-in method.
  3. You are now set to use Google Authenticator for MFA, and can sign out of the Microsoft Account page.
 
  1. Add Google Authenticator and choose it as the default sign-in method.
    1. Click Add method. Choose Authenticator App, and click Add.
    2. When the Start by getting the app window opens, choose I want to use a different authenticator app, and click Next

"I want to use a different authenticator app" clickable text is indicated

  1. Open Google Authenticator on your mobile phone or device. Tap Get started at the bottom of the screen. Choose to Use Authenticator without an account
    If you've previously used UD 2FA and backed up the app by signing into a Google account, you can instead sign in to that account to transfer the codes to this device, and bypass the rest of these directions.

Add account button in Google Authenticator is indicated

  1. Point your mobile phone or device's main camera (back of the case) at the QR code displayed on your computer. When the Microsoft account and 6 digit code show on your mobile device, click Next.
  2. The account and codes appear in Google Authenticator on your mobile device.
  3. On your computer, click Next.
  4. Type the code from your mobile device in the Enter code field on your computer, and click Next.
  5. On your computer, enter the code from the app, and click Next.
  6. On your computer, make sure that Authenticator app or hardware token - code is set as your default authentication method. It it is not, click Change, and choose Authenticator app or hardware token - code. Then click Confirm, and follow on screen steps to confirm the change.

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Name your Accounts in Google Authenticator

When you add your accounts to Google Authenticator, name them so that you can easily identify which account is for 2FA and which is for MFA.

  1. From the Authenticator app, press the account name.
    Depending on your device, a quick tap may show the option to copy. You may need to vary the pressure to have the option to rename the account.
  2. Tap the pencil icon.
  3. Rename the account so that it will be easy to identify. For example, UD 2FA.
  4. Tap Save.

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If you need help with Google Authenticator, contact the IT Support Center.