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Two-Step (Multi-Factor) Authentication

Protect your Downstate Office 365 account from unwanted intruders

Which second factor method should I choose?

Office 365 MFA supports:

  1. Receiving text code on the authentication phone
  2. Phone call to the authentication phone.
  3. Use authentication code from Microsoft Authenticator app
  4. Push Notification through Microsoft Authenticator app

During our testing, notifying through MS Authenticator app provides the best user experience.

For mobile users

We highly recommend using Outlook on all mobile devices, which provide the best user experience for MFA. On Android devices, Outlook must be used because it is the only email client supporting MFA.

Please install Outlook from Play Store or App Store depending on which device you have, and use your email credential to set it up. You will be asked to add or verify your phone for MFA

If you have installed Outlook on your device prior to MFA, you will be asked to reenter the password when you are off campus and need to add or verify your phone for MFA

If you use Apple Mail on Apple devices, and repeatedly get prompts to enter your password, please try the following:

  1. Upgrade to the latest iOS version. Only iOS 12 and above support MFA.
  2. Make sure you use the correct password.
  3. Check the box “Don’t ask again for 60 days” during the MFA verification process.
  4. Delete the Downstate email account on the device and recreate it. 

If you need more information, please visit online support page at http://guides.downstate.edu/MFA. 
For help, please email help@downstate.edu.