Activate MFA (multi-factor authentication)

MFA (multi-factor authentication) is a service that provides extra protection when logging in.

This means that you need to use the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone or tablet beside your Umu-id and password to log into certain university services on your computer.

This guide describes how you activate MFA for your Umu-id using your computer and smartphone.

Please read through the entire manual once before attempting the steps.

After you have activated MFA, it is recommended that you add MFA on your new phone before erasing/restoring the old phone.

You can do this via the Add multi-factor authentication on new device (MFA) manual before erasing/resetting the phone.

Should you still happen to erase your old phone before activating the new one, you can create a reset code yourself via digital ID, then check this manual.
Reset multi-factor authentication using BankID

Now click on Step 1 and good luck with the MFA activation.

Step 1 – Preparations

Download the right version of Microsoft Authenticator via Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

It is important that the app icon looks like the pictures below and that Microsoft Corporation is the app originator.

Apple App Store

Google Play Butik

You are now ready to go to Step 2 below.

Step 2 – Start the guide

To start the activation guide you need to open the link in a private window (incognito) in a web browser on a computer to avoid problems.

You need to right-click and press press the relevant option depending on your web browser in the menu that opens when right-clicking a link, see the options below.

  • Google Chrome: Open link in incognito window.
  • Microsoft Edge: Open link in InPrivate window.
  • Mozilla Firefox: Open link in New Private Window.
  • Safari: Hold Option and click “Open link in new Private Window”.

To start the activation guide, open https://aka.ms/mfasetup according to the instructions above.

When you are asked to enter your email, go to Step 3 below.

Step 3 – Log in

Type your Umu-id@ad.umu.se (for instance: abcd0123@ad.umu.se) and click Next.

You will be redirected to Umeå University’s login page where you need to enter your Umu-id password. Then click Sign in.

Go to Step 4 below.

Step 4 – Follow the guide

After Step 3, you will encounter an image that looks like the one below. Click Next.

You will then be directed to a guide from Microsoft providing instructions to guide you through the rest of the process.
When you are urged to download the app, click Next. You have already downloaded the app in Step 1.
Follow the guide and read the instructions carefully.

Double-check Step 5 if you are uncertain.

Step 5 – Complete the guide

In the Microsoft guide above, you need to take certain steps on your smartphone and other steps through a web browser on your computer.
After you have added the account in the app on your smartphone it is important that you complete the guide and test the service.

Test that it works

Two numbers will be shown on your computer. Type these in on your phone.

When you can see the image below, click Next and the guide is complete.

You have now activated your MFA.

Here is an instructional video that describes how to activate MFA

Where “e-mail address” is mentioned, you must enter Your-Umu-id@ad.umu.se (e.g. abcd0123@ad.umu.se)

Click here to go to the video where we describe how to activate your MFA

For english subtitles, click on “CC”, and then Settings and choose English.
Image showing how to choose english subtitles

Please note!

Logging in using MFA is not required every time. How often you need to log in using MFA depends on the user; how often you change networks and what software you use, for instance.

Changed or lost your smartphone?

If you have changed phones or lost your phone, you can reset your MFA using the manual Reset Microsoft MFA with one-time password. If you do not have Swedish digital ID, contact ITS Service Desk for assistance.