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Okta - How to set up Google Authenticator MFA


 

Please don’t follow these instructions unless you have been expressly asked to do so by the ITS team.

If in doubt please contact the IT Service desk

 

You will need 

  • University of Sussex login details ready. (e.g. ano123@sussex.ac.uk and not Andrew.N.Other@sussex.ac.uk) and your normal Sussex IT account password
  • Computer connected to the internet
  • Smartphone
  • Approximately 10 minutes to complete the task

 

How to set up

1. [Phone] Download the Google Authenticator from the Apple App or Google Play store onto your smartphone.

Google Authenticator app 

2. Visit https://okta.sussex.ac.uk/ and sign into your Okta account.

a. Log in using your IT username and password (e.g. ano123@sussex.ac.uk)

3. Click the arrow in the top-right corner and click on Settings in the drop-down menu.

4. Under the 'Security Methods' section, click 'Set up' next to the Google Authenticator option. 

a. You may be prompted to re-enter your password. 

Okta security measures screenshot

5. Click the ‘Set Up’ button again on the following page.

Google Authenticator QR code  

6. [Phone] Open the Google Authenticator app on your smartphone and tap the ‘+’ (plus) icon in the bottom-right corner.

7. [Phone] Tap ‘Scan a QR Code’.

a. If requested, give the app permission to use your camera. 

b. If your smartphone does not support QR code scanning; 

I. Click 'Can't scan' on your computer screen. 

II. [Phone] Tap 'Enter a setup key'. 

III. [Phone] Type 'okta.sussex.ac.uk' under Account name. 

IV. [Phone] Enter the code from your computer. 

8. [Phone] Position your phone camera over the QR code that’s open on your computer screen and wait for it to register. 

Google Authenticator qr code  

9. Once your phone has registered the QR code, click 'Next' on your computer. 

10. [Phone] Enter the verification code on the Google Authenticator app into the Okta page open on your computer screen.

Google Authenticator code   Google Authenticator code

 

How to use

1. Next time you log into Okta, you may be requested to enter the verification code from the Google Authenticator app on your phone into the Okta webpage open on your computer.

 

Support 

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created on 2023-03-29 by Benoit Sharp
last updated on 2023-06-26 by Benoit Sharp