Information Technology

How to Set Up and Use Multi-Factor Authentication on a Phone

English-language instructions

Spanish-language instructions

Texts or calls to a cellphone can be used for multi-factor authentication to protect your Wake Tech Key Account.

  1. On your computer, tablet or phone, go to Microsoft and sign in with your Wake Tech email (you Key Account user ID and @my.waketech.edu) and password.

    If you get a "More information required" screen, simply click "Next" and follow the instructions.
     

    If you see this message, click More Information Required


    If, however, you get a screen like the one below, click the "I want to set up a different method" link at the bottom.
     

    Select “I want to set up a different method” option at the bottom


    Select "Phone" from the drop-down menu that opens and then click "Confirm."
     

    Click on the down arrow and select “Phone” from the drop-down menuClick on the down arrow and select “Phone” from the drop-down menu

     
  2. Enter the phone number you would like to use, select "Text me a code" and click "Next."
     

    Select Text me a code


    A text message with a six-digit code will be sent to your phone. Enter that code in the text field on your screen and click "Next."
     

    Enter the code into the text box


    You will receive a message that the phone installation is successful. Click "Next" to return to the setup screen in Step 1.
     
  3. Because two MFA methods are needed, you need to again click the "I want to set up a different method" link at the bottom.

    This time, select either "Email" or "Security questions" from the drop-down menu and click "Confirm."
     

    and click Verify

     
  4. If you picked "Email," enter your personal email address and click "Next." (NOTE: You cannot use your Wake Tech email for this; it must be a different email address.) You will receive an email with a six-digit code. Follow the procedure outlined in Step 2 above to enter that code and click "Next" and "Done" to finish the setup process.
     
  5. If you picked "Security questions," a drop-down menu of possible questions will open.
     

    select 4 Security Questions and their answers


    You need to select four questions and enter the answers in the space beneath each question. Then, click "Done" to finish the setup.
     

    Choose your 4 Security Questions and click Done

    NOTE: The email and security questions methods are needed only if you need to reset your password, not as a secondary way to verify your identity.

Using your phone to verify your identity

Every time you sign into your Key Account, you will get an additional security verification prompt, giving you the option of having a text message or a phone call to your registered phone to verify your identity.

select Text or Call to your registered phone number

If you select "Text," a six-digit code will be sent to your phone, similar to the setup phase. Enter that code into the area on your screen and click "Verify to access your account.

enter the code you received via text

If you select "Call," Microsoft will call your phone. Follow the prompts on the call, and you usually will have to press the pound key (#) to approve the verification request and access your account.

You will then receive a call from Microsoft on your phone

If the method you chose doesn't work for some reason, click the "Sign in another way" link at the bottom to use the other option – phone call instead of text or vice versa.