2SV: How to migrate from SMS/Voice to the Microsoft Authenticator App

Microsoft is removing the ability to use SMS (text message) or Voice as a 2SV method to secure your VIU Computer Account on February 1, 2027.

To prepare for this change, we recommend switching to the Microsoft Authenticator app before this date to avoid temporarily losing access to your account and potentially needing to contact the Service Desk.

This entire process should take less than 5 minutes and we recommended you set the time aside to follow these steps without interruption.

If at any point while following these steps you see this message: 

You will need to start the steps over again. You do not need to delete/re-download the Microsoft Authenticator App if you got that far. We have noted where to restart if this happens to you.

Migration Path 1 (Recommended)

1. Download the free Microsoft Authenticator App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator App on your phone
3. In the top right corner tap the +
4. Tap Work or school account
5. Tap Sign in
6. Sign in with your VIU Computer Account
7. On the "Let's secure your account" screen tap Continue
8. On the "Account added" screen tap Done
9. You should now see your VIU Computer account listed in the Microsoft Authenticator App
10. Go to https://myaccount.microsoft.com/ and login with your VIU Computer Account
11. Tap the small burger menu in the top left (the 3 horizontal lines under the 9 dots)
12. Tap My Account and Security Info on the left menu
13. Next to "Default sign-in method" click Change
14. Tap App based authentication - notification
15. Tap Confirm
16. You have now completed switching to the Microsoft Authenticator for 2SV. We recommend you tap Delete on the entry titled Phone to remove your phone number from your account.
     
    

Migration Path 2

1. If possible, pull up these instructions on your computer or another device so you don't need to switch back and forth while following these steps on your phone
2. Download the free Microsoft Authenticator App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store before proceeding
3. (Restart here if you get "Session has timed out") Go to https://myaccount.microsoft.com/ and login with your VIU Computer Account
4. Tap the small burger menu in the top left (the 3 horizontal lines under the 9 dots)
5. Tap My Account and Security Info on the left menu
6. Tap + Add sign-in method
7. Choose Microsoft Authenticator
8. Tap Next
9. Tap Pair your account to the app by clicking this link (do not tap Next)
10. Tap Open if prompted
11. You should see "Account added successfully" tap OK
12. Go back to your browser
13. Tap X (do not tap Next)
14. Reload/refresh the page
15. Next to "Default sign-in method" click Change
16. Tap App based authentication - notification
17. Tap Confirm
18. You have now completed switching to the Microsoft Authenticator for 2SV. We recommend you tap Delete on the entry titled Phone to remove your phone number from your account.
     
    

Migration Path 3

1. Download the free Microsoft Authenticator App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store before proceeding
2. Open the Microsoft Authenticator App on your phone
3. Switch to your Computer
4. (Restart here if you get "Session has timed out") Go to https://myaccount.microsoft.com/ and login with your VIU Computer Account
5. Click My Account and Security Info on the left menu
6. Click + Add sign-in method
7. Choose Microsoft Authenticator
8. Click Next
9. Click Next again
10. You will be presented with a QR code on your computer
11. Switch to your phone
12. In the Microsoft Authenticator App, located at the bottom right corner you will see a small blue circle with a QR code icon on it, tap it
13. If you are prompted to allow the Microsoft Authenticator access to your camera, grant or approve it
14. Scan the QR code on your computer with your phone
15. Your phone will take a moment to process the QR code and then you should see your VIU Computer account appear in the Microsoft Authenticator
16. On your computer, click Next
17. You will be shown a number on your computer and asked to type it into your phone, do so now
18. Click Done on your computer
19. Reload/refresh the page
20. Next to "Default sign-in method" click Change
21. Click App based authentication - notification
22. Click Confirm
23. You have now completed switching to the Microsoft Authenticator for 2SV. We recommend you tap Delete on the entry titled Phone to remove your phone number from your account.