Should you change smartphones or reset your current phone, you'll need to restore your Tarleton account to the Microsoft Authenticator app. Even if you backed up and transferred your old phone's data, the app's encryption still requires you to follow the steps outlined in this guide.
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Your Tarleton account is tied to the specific Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone. Changing or resetting your phone or deleting the Microsoft Authenticator app requires you to restore Microsoft Authenticator before you can use it again with your Tarleton account.
This guide is intended for Tarleton students, faculty, and staff who need to restore Microsoft Authenticator after deleting the app or switching phones. If you are new to Tarleton and are setting up Microsoft Authenticator for the first time, please use the
Set Up Microsoft Authenticator guide.
If you encounter any issues during the restore process, please get in touch with ITS by calling the Service Desk at 254-968-9885.
Delete Old Microsoft Authenticator Entry
You'll first need to delete the Microsoft Authenticator entry associated with your phone before the change. This will then prompt your Tarleton account to set up Microsoft Authenticator again with your updated phone.
Instructions
Go to https://office.com and log in using your Tarleton email address, password, and Microsoft Authenticator.
When prompted for authentication, you can use Microsoft Authenticator on your old smartphone if it is available.
If your old phone or old version of Microsoft Authenticator is not available, then you'll need to:
- Click on "I can't use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now."
- In the next window, select text or call the phone number associated with your Tarleton account to get a verification code.
- Enter the texted verification code you receive in the next window, or follow the instructions from the voice call.
If you do not have a valid phone number listed to verify your identity, stop and contact ITS for assistance by calling the Service Desk at 254-968-9885.
Once logged into office.com, click on your account picture/initials in the lower left corner.
Select View Account.
Under My Account, click on Security Info. Authenticate if prompted.
This will list your current sign-in methods.
Find Microsoft Authenticator, and then click Delete next to it.
Click your account picture/initials in the upper-right corner again, then click Sign Out.
Confirm that the sign-out is complete, then return to the Office.com sign-in page.
Download Microsoft Authenticator To Your New Smartphone
You will need to download the Microsoft Authenticator app to your smartphone, the same as before.
Instructions
On an iPhone, open the Apple App Store.
On an Android, open the Google Play Store.
If prompted, log in with your Apple or Google ID.
Tap on Search.
In the search field, type "Microsoft Authenticator."
Find Microsoft Authenticator.
It is usually the second item listed, with the first item being an unrelated ad. Be sure you are downloading only "Microsoft Authenticator".
Download Microsoft Authenticator, following your smartphone's instructions.
Close the App/Play Store, find the Microsoft Authenticator app, and tap on it to open.
Add Your Tarleton Account to Microsoft Authenticator
Once you have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed and open, you will need to use a computer or another device to log in to your Tarleton account and link it to the app.
Instructions
Using a computer or a device other than your smartphone, open a web browser and go to https://office.com.
Click Sign In and enter your Tarleton email address and password.
A window titled "More Information Required" will appear. Click Next.
The next step is to connect your Tarleton account to your Microsoft Authenticator app. Click Next through the next two windows until you see a QR code.
Keep the page with the QR code up and go back to your smartphone.
Open Microsoft Authenticator.
Tap on the + button in the upper right.
Select Work or School Account.
Select Scan QR Code. If prompted for access to your camera, allow it.
Scan the QR code on the web page with your phone. This will add your Tarleton account to the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Go back to your other device with the web page open. Click Next on the web page.
An authorization test will occur. A two-digit code will appear on the web page, and you'll be prompted to enter the same two-digit code in Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.
After entering the correct code in Microsoft Authenticator, the web page will show an "Approved" notification. Click Next.
A success page will come up. You can click Done.