How to Turn On Two‐Factor Authentication on a Microsoft Account

1. 1
   Have access to your phone. You will need it to complete the sign-in process on any non-trusted device. Launch the Microsoft Authenticator app on your iPhone, Android, or Windows Phone. Then tap the arrow and choose " Show code ".
2. 2
   Enter your Microsoft account information and password as normal. The sign-in process just has an additional step; you still need your Microsoft account and password.

   • You can also tap on " Use the Microsoft Authenticator app instead " to sign in using Microsoft authenticator. You will not need a password then.
3. 3
   Approve the sign-in request in your Mobile Authenticator App. If you sign in frequently on the device, check the box that says " I sign in frequently on this device. Don't ask me to approve requests here. " Otherwise, leave it unchecked.

   • You can also choose to use a code from Microsoft authenticator. Choose " Sign in another way ", then choose " Use a verification code from my mobile app ".
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1. 1
   Sign in to your Microsoft account on a web browser. You will need to sign in to configure your account settings. Go to https://account.microsoft.com to manage your Microsoft account settings.
2. 2
   Click the Security tab.
3. 3
   Click on "Get Started" link found under "Advanced Security Options".
4. 4
   Scroll down to find section of "Additional security" and click the link "Turn off" found under "Two-step verification".
5. 5
   Click yes to confirm and turn off "Two-step verification". You can also click link "Sign me out" to sign out all of your trusted devices to stop any unauthorized access to your account. You will need to login again on all of your devices after you sign out.
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1. 1
   Maintain access to at least two forms of identification. You will need continuous access to one of three things.

   • your email address and your phone number,
   • your phone number and your Microsoft Authenticator app, or
   • your email address and your Microsoft Authenticator app. If you lose access to one of these three things, you will need your recovery code.
2. 2
   Click on " I forgot my password " at the sign-in screen. Choose how you want to get access to your account. You can use Microsoft Authenticator, your SMS, or a recovery email.

   • Note that you have to use at least two of them to reset your password.
3. 3
   Enter the first code that you received. Then choose the second way you want to get access to your account again. You cannot use the same security info twice, so choose a different method.
4. 4
   Enter the second code that you received.
5. 5
   Enter your new password and confirm. This will reset your password.
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Note that if you lose your security info, you cannot recover your password.

1. 1
   Enter your Microsoft account and password to sign in. You need your password to finish the sign-in if you lost your security info.
2. 2
   Choose " Sign in another way ", then choose " I don't have any of these ".
3. 3
   Click on Next .
4. 4
   Enter your recovery code into the recovery code field. This is the only way to recover. If you click on No , and you complete the recovery form, no one will be able to help you because of the way two-factor authentication is designed.
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