MFA: Setting up text message verification on a personal device

Multi-factor authentication has now been enabled on all Oxford Single Sign-On (SSO) accounts, which adds additional verification methods when accessing materials which are currently protected by Single Sign-On.

This guide will show you how to set up text message verification on a personal device which will act as your multi-factor authentication method.

You can also download this guide as a pdf.

1. You may receive a notification advising that your details need updating. Clicking on the notification will take you to the settings page for your PC
    
   
   

   Screenshot showing settings page for adding new MFA verification method

2. Click Fix now
3. If you are not taken to your PC settings this message will appear asking for more information. It will also appear after you click Fix Now
4. Click Next
5. The Nexus365 security verification screen will display
    
   
   

   Screenshot showing the Nexus365 security verification screen

   This is the area where you set up how the system will contact you when you need to provide a second authentication method.

6. Click I want to set up a different method at the bottom of the screen
7. Open the drop-down menu. Click Phone
    
   
   

   Screenshot showing the drop-down menu where you choose 'Phone'

8. Click Confirm
9. Use the drop-down menu to pick the country the telephone number originates in. Countries appear in alphabetical order (except for the United States)
    
   
   

   Screenshot showing the drop-down menu to pick the country the telephone number originates in

10. Enter the telephone number on the right hand side
11. Click the radio button next to 'Text me a code'
     
    
    

    Screenshot highlighting the 'text me a code' button

12. Click Next
     
    
    

    Screenshot showing the next button highlighted, once you've entered your phone number for text verification

13. The screen will display a message informing you that the system has sent a six digit code to the number registered
     
    
    

    Screenshot showing a message informing you that the system has sent a six digit code to the number registered

14. Enter the code
15. Click Next
16. When the process is complete, the system will inform you that the text was verified and the phone has been registered successfully
     
    
    

    Screenshot showing that text message verification has been successfully set up

17. Click Next

At this point your Multi-factor authentication method has been set-up.

App Passwords

In some instances, the system will ask if you want to set-up an App Password. These are only required if you are accessing older applications or non-Microsoft clients (Outlook prior to 2016, Gmail, native email applications on smart devices).

If you do not need to set up an App password you can close the page.

For assistance on how to set up an App password please use the guidance on the project webpage.

Note: first you must have requested App password enablement using the appropriate service request.