Audience: Fullerton College students and employees
Applies to: Fullerton College Microsoft accounts ending in @fullcoll.edu
Estimated setup time: 5–10 minutes
Overview
Fullerton College uses Microsoft security verification to protect access to Microsoft services associated with your @fullcoll.edu account.
Microsoft supports several secure sign-in methods, including Microsoft Authenticator and passkeys. The available methods and sign-in experience may change as Microsoft continues to improve account security.
This article explains how to:
- Set up Microsoft Authenticator.
- Check your current Microsoft sign-in methods.
- Understand passkeys and how they relate to Microsoft Authenticator.
- Prepare for changes to older authentication methods such as text messages and phone calls.
- Recognize common Microsoft sign-in prompts.
- Get help if you lose or replace your phone.
Microsoft Authenticator is Microsoft's mobile application for securely verifying sign-ins and supporting passwordless authentication and passkeys.
It is available for:
- iPhone
- Android
Download Microsoft Authenticator
Use Microsoft's official download page:
Download Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
Microsoft's work/school account help center also provides current Authenticator setup and troubleshooting resources:
Before you begin
You will need:
- Your Fullerton College @fullcoll.edu account. [Learn More]
- Your Fullerton College password.
- An iPhone or Android smartphone.
- Internet access.
- The Microsoft Authenticator app.
Step 1 — Open your Microsoft Security Info page
On a computer, go to:
https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
Sign in with your Fullerton College account if prompted.
The Security info page allows you to view and manage the authentication methods associated with your Microsoft account. Microsoft uses this same Security info experience for work and school accounts. (Microsoft Support)
Step 2 — Add Microsoft Authenticator
On the Security info page:
- Select + Add sign-in method.
- Select Microsoft Authenticator.
- Select Add or Next, depending on what Microsoft displays.
- Follow the instructions shown on screen.
Step 3 — Connect Your Fullerton College Account to Microsoft Authenticator
The setup experience can vary depending on whether Microsoft Authenticator is already installed and whether you already have other accounts registered in the app.
A) If Microsoft Authenticator asks you to add an account
On your phone:
- Open Microsoft Authenticator.
- Select Add account or the + button.
- Select Work or school account.
- Select Scan a QR code if prompted.
Then scan the QR code displayed on your computer in Step 4.
B) If Microsoft Authenticator goes directly to the QR-code scanner
That's okay — you may not see the steps above.
On some devices, especially when Microsoft Authenticator is already installed and configured for another account or service, Microsoft may take you directly to the QR-code scanner.
If this happens, simply scan the QR code displayed on your computer using the scanner provided by Microsoft Authenticator.
Tip: Your phone's regular camera app may also recognize the Microsoft setup QR code and open the appropriate Microsoft link. If prompted, follow the Microsoft instructions to continue the setup.
You do not need to add another account manually if Microsoft has already opened the QR-code scanner for you.
*Microsoft's current documentation confirms that the Authenticator setup experience can vary depending on the device and existing configuration.
Step 4 — Scan the QR code
Return to the computer where Microsoft is displaying the Authenticator setup instructions.
Microsoft will display a QR code.
Use Microsoft Authenticator on your phone to scan the QR code.
Step 5 — Approve the test
Microsoft will send a test notification to Microsoft Authenticator.
Follow the instructions displayed on your phone to approve the test.
Depending on Microsoft's current sign-in experience and your account configuration, you may see a number-matching prompt or another verification screen.
Step 6 — Confirm your registration
Return to:
https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
Microsoft Authenticator should now appear among your available sign-in methods.
You're done!
Keep Microsoft Authenticator installed on your phone.
You may not need to do anything.
Open Microsoft Authenticator and look for your Fullerton College work or school account.
You can also verify your registered methods by visiting:
https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
If Microsoft Authenticator is already listed and working, do not remove it simply because you see a new Microsoft authentication prompt.
A passkey is a newer way to sign in that is designed to be more secure than traditional passwords and methods such as SMS verification.
Instead of receiving a code by text, you can verify your identity using something already built into your device, such as:
- Face ID
- Fingerprint
- Device PIN
- Windows Hello
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Another supported passkey provider
Passkeys use cryptographic credentials rather than reusable passwords or verification codes and are designed to resist phishing.
Microsoft is moving Microsoft Entra authentication toward phishing-resistant methods such as passkeys. (Microsoft Learn)
Passkeys and Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator can support a device-bound passkey on supported iPhone and Android devices.
Microsoft's official instructions:
Register passkeys in Authenticator on Android and iOS devices - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft's broader passkey documentation:
Register a synced passkey (FIDO2) - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn
You may see Microsoft use terms such as Authenticator, passkey, passwordless, or phishing-resistant authentication as this technology continues to evolve.
You do not need to understand the technical differences to follow the sign-in instructions Microsoft presents.
Microsoft is moving away from authentication methods that are more vulnerable to phishing and account takeover.
Microsoft currently identifies SMS and voice authentication as less secure than phishing-resistant methods such as passkeys. Its current transition plan makes passkeys the default authentication experience beginning September 1, 2026, and retires Microsoft-provided SMS and voice delivery beginning February 1, 2027. (Microsoft Learn)
The goal is simple:
Make it harder for someone who has obtained your password to access your account.
A typical Microsoft sign-in may look like this:
- Enter your Fullerton College email address.
- Enter your password, if requested.
- Microsoft asks you to verify your identity.
- Follow the instructions displayed on your computer and phone.
Depending on your account and Microsoft's current authentication policies, you may be asked to:
- Approve a Microsoft Authenticator notification.
- Enter a number displayed on your computer.
- Use a passkey.
- Use Face ID, a fingerprint, device PIN, or Windows Hello.
- Use another authentication method made available to you.
The exact screens may change as Microsoft updates its authentication experience.
⚠️ Never Approve an Unexpected Sign-In
If Microsoft Authenticator asks you to approve a sign-in when you are not trying to sign in, do not approve it.
Select Deny.
An unexpected authentication request can be a warning that someone has obtained your password and is attempting to access your account.
If you receive repeated unexpected requests, contact the ACT Help Desk.
If you replace your phone, make sure your new device is successfully registered before removing access to your old device whenever possible.
Installing Microsoft Authenticator on your new phone does not automatically guarantee that your Fullerton College account is registered to the new device.
If you still have your old phone:
- Sign in to your Security info page.
- Add/register the new authentication method.
- Test the new method.
- Remove the old method when appropriate.
If you no longer have your old phone, contact the ACT Help Desk.
If your phone is lost or stolen and it was used for Microsoft authentication:
Contact the ACT Help Desk as soon as possible.
If you still have another working authentication method, you may be able to sign in and update your Security info.
If you do not have another working method, ACT Help Desk staff can assist with the appropriate account recovery process.
Microsoft Authenticator
Download Microsoft Authenticator
Download Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
Microsoft Work or School Account Help
Work or school account help | Microsoft Support
Microsoft Security Info
Manage your sign-in methods:
https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
Microsoft Passkeys
Register a passkey:
Register a synced passkey (FIDO2) - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn
Register a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator:
Register passkeys in Authenticator on Android and iOS devices - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft Authentication Changes
Passkeys by default and retirement of Microsoft-provided SMS and voice authentication:
Microsoft's documentation is the authoritative source for Microsoft's authentication technology and current requirements. (Microsoft Learn)
Need Help?
If you cannot register Microsoft Authenticator, have replaced or lost your phone, or cannot access your Fullerton College Microsoft account, contact the ACT Help Desk.
When contacting the Help Desk, be prepared to provide:
- Your Fullerton College username.
- A description of what happens when you attempt to sign in.
- Whether you still have access to your previous phone.
- Whether Microsoft Authenticator is installed on your current phone.
- Any error message displayed by Microsoft.
Never provide your password or an MFA verification code to Help Desk staff.