Setting up Additional MFA Options or Changing your Default Option (How-to)

This article provides instructions on how to set up additional options for multi-factor authentication (MFA), as well as how to change your default method if you get a new device. Although ITS recommends using the Microsoft Authenticator app for MFA, we suggest adding at least one additional sign in method as back up.

Having alternate backup methods ensures you're always in control of your account access. Ideally, you should have a backup method configured on a different device than your cell phone. If your cell phone is used for both a verification call/text and the Microsoft Authenticator notification, you could lose access to both factors at once if you misplace it. We recommend adding an alternate authentication phone number or configuring Microsoft Authenticator on a completely separate device like a tablet. Below are instructions for adding more sign in choices.

Please see Clearing your Multi-Factor Authentication Settings (How-to) for instructions on clearing your registered methods and re-registering new ones if you get a new device or lose your phone.

Want to learn more about the MFA project? See the FAQ linked to the right.


1. Setting up additional methods

1. From myDrake on a computer

Go to myDrake (my.drake.edu) in your favorite browser on your computer. NOTE: If you're not already signed in, you'll be prompted to sign in using your Drake email address and password.

  1. Click on your photo or initials in the right hand corner to get this menu below.
  2. Select View account.

Selecting your photo or initials from myDrake and going to the View account menu option

2. My Account screen

  1. You'll then arrive at the My Account screen.
  2. Select the Security Info option from the left hand menu OR by clicking on UPDATE INFO > link on the Security info box.

My Account screen and security info selection

3. Security Info screen

  1. Click + Add Method.
  2. Open the menu options to Choose a method to see your options. This example shows adding phone or SMS in addition to the Microsoft Authenticator app.

 + Add Method screen

Add a method options

4. Adding a Phone

  1. Select Phone from the Choose a method menu. NOTE: Once you complete step 5 you will be prompted to verify your chosen method, so be sure to have your phone ready.
  2. Click Add.
  3. Enter your cell phone number.
  4. Select Text me a code if you want to receive a SMS message to authenticate each time you log in, OR select Call me if you want to answer the phone to authenticate.
  5. Click Next. NOTE: You'll now be prompted to test this method and will need to enter the code texted to you on the pop up screen on your computer or answer a phone call from Microsoft and follow the directions.

Add a method-Phone screen

5. Adding an Alternate Phone

  1. Select Alternate Phone from the Choose a method menu. NOTE: Once you complete step 4 you will be prompted to verify via phone, so be sure to be by your phone.
  2. Click Add.
  3. Enter your phone number.
  4. Click Next. NOTE: You'll now be prompted to test this method and will need to answer a phone call from Microsoft and follow the directions.

Alternate phone selection screen

Enter Phone information

6. Adding an Office Phone (Faculty & Staff ONLY)

  1. Select Office Phone from the Choose a method menu. NOTE: Once you complete step 3 you will need to verify this method, so be ready to answer your office phone.
  2. Click Add.
  3. Your office extension will be populated. Click Next. NOTE: You'll now be prompted to test this method and will need to answer a phone call from Microsoft and follow the directions.

Selecting Office phone screen

Completing office phone set up screen

2. Changing your default method

Before you can change your default MFA method you must already have at least two methods on your list of authentication methods.

  1. Starting from the security info screen (see steps 1 and 2 above), click Change next to your current Default sign-in method.
  2. In the pop-up window, use the drop-down menu to select your new default method from the available choices.
  3. Click Confirm. Your new choice will now show as your default sign in method.

NOTE: If you encounter issues and need to clear out your options and start over, see instructions at Clearing your Multi-Factor Authentication Settings (How-to).

Security Info screen

Change default method screen

Confirming new default method screen