1/19/25, 8:56 PM How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support
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How to use two-step verification
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To increase the security of your account, you can require two steps to sign in.
Turn two-step verification on or off
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1/19/25, 8:56 PM How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support
1. Sign in to your Microsoft account Advanced security options.
Sign in
2. Under Additional security and Two-step verification choose Turn on or Turn off.
3. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
Note: As part of setting up this account, you’ll be given a QR code to scan with your device;
this is one way we ensure you are in physical possession of the device you are installing the
Authenticator app to.
About two-step verification or two-step authentication
What is two-step verification?
Two-step verification (sometimes called multi-factor authentication) helps protect you by making it
more difficult for someone else to sign in to your Microsoft account. It uses two different forms of
identity: your password, and a contact method (also known as security info). Even if someone else
finds your password, they'll be stopped if they don't have access to your security info. This is also
why it's important to use different passwords for all your accounts.
Important: If you turn on two-step verification, you will always need two forms of identification. This
means that if you forget your password, you need two contact methods. Or if you lose your contact
method, your password alone won't get you back into your account—and it can take you 30 days to
regain access. You may even lose access to the account. For that reason, we strongly recommend
you have three pieces of security info associated with your account, just in case.
What happens when you turn on two-step verification?
If you turn on two-step verification, you’ll get a security code to your email, phone, or authenticator
app every time you sign in on a device that isn't trusted. When two-step verification is turned off,
you will only have to verify your identity with security codes periodically, when there might be a risk
to your account security.
What you'll need for set up
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1/19/25, 8:56 PM How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support
Two-step verification begins with an email address (we recommend two different email addresses,
the one you normally use, and one as a backup just in case), a phone number, or any authenticator
app. When you sign in on a new device or from a new location, we'll send you a security code to
enter on the sign-in page. Learn how you can use the Microsoft Authenticator app or authenticate
using Outlook for Android.
Learn more
Reset your password when two-step verification is turned on
Where you can't use security codes, use app passwords
Go passwordless
Need more help?
Contact Support
For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If
you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.
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1/19/25, 8:56 PM How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support
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