Page content

Activate MFA for your account

This means you need to activate MFA for your student account in order to log in to your student email and other tools within Microsoft 365.

Tip! Already activated MFA but having authentication issues? Try removing the connection and then re-adding it through Manage multi-factor authentication on your Microsoft account.

You can find more troubleshooting tips further down the page.

What is MFA?

When you log in to an online account, you authenticate yourself, proving that you are who you say you are. Traditionally, this has been done by entering a username and password, but many online services today use multi-factor authentication (MFA). This means that you prove your identity in more than one way, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to access your account.

In Microsoft 365, you log in with a username and password, then approve the login through the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone.

Good to know about MFA

You need to log in with MFA approximately every 90 days

More about why MFA is needed

Activate MFA

Preparations

Activating MFA for your Microsoft account takes 5–10 minutes. You will need a computer and your mobile phone, and you can complete the activation whether you're connected to the University's network or elsewhere.

Step 1: Start the login process on your computer

To activate MFA, begin by logging in to Microsoft 365 on your computer:

Go to outlook.office.com/mail/ and enter your student email (gus•••••@student.gu.se) and the same password as your student account.
A screen with the message "More information required" will appear.
Click 'Next' to proceed with the MFA activation.

Step 2: Install the Microsoft Authenticator App on Your Mobile Phone

Next, you will be prompted to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone:

Download and install the app from the App Store if you have an Apple device, or from the Play Store if you have an Android device.
When prompted, grant the app access to the camera (to scan QR codes), notifications (to alert you of login attempts), and location (to show the location of approvals).
(If you have already installed the app on your mobile phone, proceed directly to Step 3.)

Image

Choose the correct app! Note that there are other apps with similar names and icons, so make sure you install Microsoft Authenticator by Microsoft Corporation.

Step 3: Continue your login on the computer

After downloading and configuring the app, return to your computer to continue the login process:

Click 'Next.'
You will be prompted to set up your account. Click 'Next' again.
A QR code will appear on the screen, which you will need to scan using the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Step 4: Add your student account to the app

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app.
In the "Set up your account" dialog, click 'Accept,' followed by 'Continue.'
Select 'Scan QR code' if this option is available. If the QR code option is not visible, click the '+' sign to add an account and choose 'Work or school account,' followed by 'Scan QR code.'
Point your phone's camera (via the app) at the QR code on your computer screen to scan it. Your Microsoft account will be added. Then, click 'Next.'
A test will begin, and you will be prompted to approve the login on your phone. Follow the instructions on your phone to approve the login.
Click 'Next' when the test is approved.

Your activation is complete - keep the app on your phone!

Your activation is now complete, and you can use the app to approve future logins to Microsoft services. Remember to approve only those logins that you know you initiated.

It is important to keep the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Your secure login will last up to 90 days, but you will need the app to log in again in the future.