Secure your Microsoft account with Smart ID Mobile App authentication

This article is valid from Nexus Personal Mobile 3.7.

Your Microsoft account can be protected with two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that you add an extra layer of security to your Microsoft account. For the second step, you can use Smart ID Mobile App, which is an application for online 2FA. Once set up, you sign in to your Microsoft account with your password and a one-time password (OTP), sent to your mobile device.

Smart ID Mobile App offers extra security compared to other mobile apps for online two-factor authentication, since you also authenticate yourself in Smart ID Mobile App with a PIN code or your fingerprint before you receive the OTP.

Prerequisites

A downloaded Smart ID Mobile App. See Smart ID Mobile App for instructions.

Set up your Microsoft account to use 2FA

Since you need to scan a QR code with your mobile device during the setup, do the settings from a computer or from an other mobile device than the one you will use for 2FA, once it has been set up.

1. Log in to your Microsoft account at https://account.microsoft.com.

2. Click Security and at the bottom of the page select Explore more security options to help keep your account secure.

3. Turn on Two-step verification.
   For more information about how to set up two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account, go here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12414/microsoft-account-identity-verification-apps-faq

4. Under Identity verification apps, click Set up identity verification app.

5. Select Other and click Next.

6. A QR code is displayed. Continue to do settings in Smart ID Mobile App.

Create OTP card in Smart ID Mobile App

Continue with the following settings in Smart ID Mobile App to create a one-time password (OTP) card for 2FA to your Microsoft account. 

1. Start Smart ID Mobile App on your mobile device. For more information about Smart ID Mobile App, go to Smart ID Mobile App.

2. In Smart ID Mobile App, click the QR symbol on the bottom.

3. Scan the QR code from Microsoft.

4. In Smart ID Mobile App, click Activate.

5. Choose PIN code during activation.

6. Enable biometric security if your device supports it, for example, fingerprint.

7. Click the security symbol (the "lock") in Smart ID Mobile App.

8. Enter your chosen PIN code or verify with the biometric sensor.
   An OTP (valid for 30 seconds) is shown in Smart ID Mobile App.

9. In your Microsoft account, enter the OTP.

Log in to your Microsoft account with 2FA

1. Log in to your Microsoft account with your username and password.
   The 2-step verification pop-up window is displayed.

2. In Smart ID Mobile App, click the "lock" symbol on the card that represents the Microsoft account.

3. Enter your chosen PIN code (from previous step) or verify with biometrics.
   An OTP (valid for 30 seconds) is shown in Smart ID Mobile App.

4. In your Microsoft account, enter the OTP.