Overview
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Login to Providence Account:
- Click here to log in to your Providence account as usual.
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Add MFA Method:
- Once logged in, click "Add method".
The Security info page opens with the text "These are the methods you use to sign into your account or reset your password." It shows your Default sign-in method with a Change link beside it, then a + Add method link above the list of registered methods (each row, such as Phone, has Change and Delete links on the right). Click + Add method.
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Select Authenticator App:
- Ensure "Authenticator app" is selected, then click "Add".
An Add a method dialog asks "Which method would you like to add?" With Authenticator app showing in the drop-down, click the blue Add button at the bottom right.
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Download the App:
- Download Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store or Google Play Store. Click "Next".
A Microsoft Authenticator panel titled "Start by getting the app" reads "On your phone, install the Microsoft Authenticator app" with a Download now link, followed by "After you install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your device, choose 'Next'." (Ignore the I want to use a different authenticator app link.) Click the blue Next button at the bottom right.
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Configure Authenticator:
- Allow notifications in the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- Add an account and select "Work or school". Click "Next".
The panel changes to "Set up your account" with the instruction "If prompted, allow notifications. Then add an account, and select 'Work or school'." Click Next.
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Scan QR Code:
- Scan the QR code displayed on your screen (not the one in this guide). Click "Next".
The "Scan the QR code" panel reads "Use the Microsoft Authenticator app to scan the QR code. This will connect the Microsoft Authenticator app with your account. After you scan the QR code, choose 'Next'." The QR code appears on the left with a Can't scan image? link beneath it; Back and Next buttons are at the bottom right.
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Approve Notification:
- Approve the notification on your phone to complete the setup. Click "Next".
The panel reads "Let's try it out — Approve the notification we're sending to your app." The Next button stays grayed out until the notification has been approved on your phone.
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Set Default Sign-In Option:
- You can now set Microsoft Authenticator as your default sign-in option. To change this, click "Change", select "Microsoft Authenticator - notification", and then click "Confirm".
The Change default method dialog asks "Which method would you like to use to sign in?" Pick Microsoft Authenticator - notification in the drop-down and click the blue Confirm button.
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Remove Old MFA Option (if desired):
- Remove any old MFA options like your cell phone number from this screen.
On the Security info page, the Default sign-in method line shows the current method (for example Phone - text +1 …) with a Change link beside it. In the method list below, each row has Change and Delete links on the right; click Delete on the Phone row to remove it, leaving Microsoft Authenticator as your method.