You will need both a computer/tablet and a mobile phone for this process
- From a web browser, visit [www.outlook.com](https://www.outlook.com "Outlook Website") and select **Sign in**. [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/singin.png) -The A-State password requirements must contain: • At least 15 characters and one capital letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character • It also must NOT contain any part of your name or anything too closely related to A-State • It can also be set up as a passphrase
Please keep your password secure, A-State will never ask you for your password
##### Microsoft Authenticator - After signing in with your password, you will be prompted to set up **Microsoft Authenticator** - On the "***Let's keep your account secure"*** screen, click **Next** - [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/secure-account-outlook.png) - - Download the **Microsoft Authenticator app** to your phone by either scanning the QR code below or by going to the ***App Store (iPhone/iOS)*** or the ***Play Store (Android)*** [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-03/ms-authenticator-qr.png) **[aka.ms/mobileauthenticator](http://www.aka.ms/mobileauthenticator)** - - - After you download the **Microsoft Authenticator app** on your phone click **Next** on the computer  - - Open the app and make sure you **allow** notifications on your phone and then click **Next** on the computer  - - A unique QR code will generate on the next screen - **Be sure to scan the code by using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone (select Scan QR code)** [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/ms-auth-qr-example.png) [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/mobile-auth.png) - - Once you scan the QR code, click **Next** on the computer - Microsoft will then generate a random number on the computer, go to your the **Authenticator app** and enter the number you see on screen  - - After you enter the number in the app, your A-State account will be successfully linked to your Microsoft Authenticator app, Click **Done** [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/auth-added.png) - - The next page will show you have successfully added Microsoft Authenticator as a verification method, along with your personal email. Click **Done** and continue to your Outlook inbox  - You have now completed the setup for your A-State user account and finished securing your account with the Microsoft Authenticator. ##### **OPTIONAL** - If you are not redirected back to the Microsoft portal or you receive an error message when you are redirected, just close your web browser and reopen it. Then go to [myaccount.microsoft.com](https://myaccount.microsoft.com "My Account Website") and sign in. You will not have to repeat the setup process. - Once you have completed the sign in process, if you are not prompted to setup the Microsoft Authenticator, select **My Account** and then **Security Info** [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/BGqstep1.png) - Then you should be prompted to set up the Microsoft Authenticator. If not, The Security info page will show all the authentication methods currently configured for your account. From here, you can change or delete existing methods or add new ones. To change an existing method, select the **Change** option next to the method you would like to change. Selecting **Delete** will remove it from your account. [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/qZistep4.png) - To add new methods to your account, select the **Add sign-in methods**. [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/add-an-atuh-method.png) - Select Microsoft Authenticator and follow the prompts to complete the setup. **(Phone is no longer an authentication method)** [](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/select-auth-method.png)For further assistance, contact the ITS Help Desk at 870-972-3933 or stop by IT Support Services (