Skip to main content

Microsoft Entra

As of November 11, Boise State is using Entra to provide multi-factor authentication.

If you haven’t yet registered, click the button below and follow the prompts.

If step-by-step instructions and screenshots are helpful, please scroll down to the Registration instructions section.

Begin registration

Registration instructions

The Microsoft Authenticator mobile app is free and is the recommended method of enrollment.

Expand the sections below for step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and other ways to register.

(Because mobile devices and settings vary, the steps and screenshots below might not match your experience exactly.)

Begin registration
Microsoft Authenticator mobile app (from a computer)
  1. On your computer:
    Click the registration link to begin.
  2. On your computer:
    Select Desktop/Laptop. Click Next.

    Desktop/laptop selection highlighted in Entra registration
  3. On your computer:
    Select Authenticator app. Click Next.

    Authenticator app selected in Entra registration

    Have your mobile device ready for the next step!
  4. On your mobile device:
    Download the FREE Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device by searching “Microsoft Authenticator” in the App Store or Google Play.

    Please make sure the app icon matches the image below. Clicking the App Store or Google Play link on your computer will help you identify the correct app to download to your mobile device.

    screenshot of Microsoft Authenticator icon on mobile device
  5. On your mobile device:
    Open the Authenticator app and allow notifications, if prompted. Tap Accept to agree to the privacy terms. Tap Continue to not share app usage data.
    (Depending on your device settings, you may also be notified that app lock is enabled. If it does, tap OK.)

    Screenshot of Authenticator privacy terms notice Authenticator share app usage notice
  6. On your mobile device:
    Tap Add account.

    Add account screen in Microsoft Authenticator mobile app
  7. On your mobile device:
    Select Work or school account and STOP when you see the following screen. DO NOT sign in to the app.

    Add work account screen in Microsoft Authenticator mobile app
  8. On your computer:
    Click Begin registration. Enter your Boise State email address and click Next. Enter your password and click Sign in.

    Boise State Entra sign in screen

    If you are already logged in, proceed to the next step.
  9. On your computer:
    The screen will say that more information is required and that you must complete multifactor authentication, but you won’t have to. Click Next.

    Entra registration process requesting more information
  10. On your computer:
    Since you’ve already downloaded the app, click Next.

    Alert requesting you to download the Microsoft Authenticator app
  11. On your mobile device:
    Tap Scan QR code. If prompted, tap Allow to give Authenticator access to the camera.

    Scan the QR code shown on your computer screen.

    Add work account screen in Microsoft Authenticator mobile app
  12. On your computer:
    Click Next.

    Example of QR code to connect Microsoft Authenticator app to your account
  13. On your mobile device:
    Enter the number shown on the computer screen in the Authenticator app.
    (If your device enabled app lock earlier, it may ask to use face recognition after this step.)

    Screenshot of sign in code request on your mobile device in the Authenticator app
  14. On your computer:
    When the notification is approved, click Next. Click Done. Your registration is complete.

    Authenticator registration complete notification

Thank you for registering! We begin using Entra on November 11. Don’t delete the Duo app yet – we are still using it until then!

Note: If you have enabled settings on your mobile device to offload unused apps to maximize storage, you may need to re-download the Authenticator app on or just before November 11. (The app icon will still appear on your screen, but may have a cloud icon next to the name. If it does, tap the icon to download.)

Microsoft Authenticator mobile app (from a mobile device)
  1. Click the registration link to begin.
  2. Tap Mobile device. Tap Next.

    Mobile device selected in Entra registration
  3. Tap Authenticator app. Tap Next.

    Authenticator app selected in Entra registration
  4. Download the FREE Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device from the App Store or Google Play.

    screenshot of Microsoft Authenticator icon on mobile device
  5. Open the Authenticator app and allow notifications, if prompted. Tap Accept to agree to the privacy terms. Tap Continue to not share app usage data.
    (Depending on your device settings, you may also be notified that app lock is enabled. If it does, tap OK.)

    Screenshot of Authenticator privacy terms notice Authenticator share app usage notice
  6. STOP when you see the “Add an account” screen. DO NOT add an account.

    Add account screen in Microsoft Authenticator mobile app
  7. Return to the registration process in your web browser and tap Begin registration. Enter your Boise State email address and tap Next. Enter your password and tap Sign in.

    Boise State Entra sign in screen

    If you are already logged in, proceed to the next step.
  8. The screen will say that more information is required and that you must complete multifactor authentication, but you won’t have to. Tap Next.

    Entra registration process requesting more information
  9. Since you’ve already downloaded the app, tap Next.

    Alert requesting you to download the Microsoft Authenticator app
  10. Tap the link that says Pair your account to the app by clicking this link.

    Authenticator security notification showing the pair your account link
  11. Tap Open to open the Authenticator app.

    Alert to open the Authenticator app
  12. Confirm Boise State University appears with your email address listed below it.

    email address screen in Authenticator app
  13. Return to the registration process in your web browser to test setup. Enter the number displayed into the Authenticator app and tap Yes.
    (If your device enabled app lock earlier, it may ask to use face recognition after this step.)

    Screenshot of sign in code request on your mobile device in the Authenticator app
  14. Return to your web browser and verify the notification is approved. Tap Next. Tap Done. Your registration is complete.

    Authenticator notification approved confirmation

Thank you for registering! We begin using Entra on November 11. Don’t delete the Duo app yet – we are still using it until then!

Note: If you have enabled settings on your mobile device to offload unused apps to maximize storage, you may need to re-download the Authenticator app on or just before November 11. (The app icon will still appear on your screen, but may have a cloud icon next to the name. If it does, tap the icon to download.)

SMS text message
  1. Click the registration link to begin.
  2. Make a selection. Click Next.

    Registration platform selection in Entra registration
  3. Select SMS/Text message. Click Next.

    SMS/text message selected in Entra registration
  4. Click Begin registration. Enter your Boise State email address and click Next. Enter your password and click Sign in.

    Boise State Entra sign in screen

    If you are already logged in, proceed to the next step.
  5. The screen will say that more information is required and that you must complete multifactor authentication, but you won’t have to. Click Next.

    Entra registration process requesting more information
  6. Click the I want to set up a different method link at lower-left.

    Alert requesting you to download the Microsoft Authenticator app
  7. Select Phone from the menu.
    (This option implies you can also set up a phone call, but only text messages are enabled for Boise State accounts.)

    Authenticator setup methods
  8. Enter your phone number, including area code, and click Next.

    Authenticator phone set up screenshot
  9. Enter the 6-digit code sent via text and click Next.

    Authenticator phone setup verification code request
  10. Verify your phone number has been successfully registered and click Next. Click Done. Your registration is complete.

    confirmation that phone verification is complete

Thank you for registering! We begin using Entra on November 11. Until then, continue using Duo to authenticate.

Hardware token

If you are unable to register for Entra using the Authenticator app or SMS, please contact the Help Desk to learn more about purchasing and registering with a hard token.

(If you currently use a hardware token for Duo, we’ve sent an email with information about new tokens.)

Tip: Add an additional method as a backup
  1. Once you’ve added a method, click the registration link. Sign in again, if needed.
  2. Complete the request for multi-factor authentication using Duo, if prompted. Click Continue. (You may also be asked to authenticate with Entra.)

    security alert for MFA
  3. Click the Review Security info button.

    You're all set! Thanks for registering with Entra!
  4. Click the Add sign-in method link.

    Add sign-in method screenshot
  5. Select the method you would like to add and follow the prompts provided.
    If needed, refer to the instructions provided above for general guidance, but note that the steps differ slightly.

Test your registration

You can test your Entra registration by copying the following link and pasting it into an incognito browser:

https://mfa-onboarding.prod.boisestate.edu/Confirmation

You will be asked to sign in and then prompted to MFA with Entra.

(The incognito window is necessary to avoid caching. Simply clicking the link above is not likely to require you to sign in again, which won’t prompt for MFA.)

If you believe you registered and you are not prompted for MFA during the test, please contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357.

Are we ready?

We’re almost there!

33,000 accounts need to register for Entra. (That’s about the same as a sellout crowd for a football game!)

As of today, 23,153 registrations are complete – that’s 70%.

Begin registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Switching from Duo to Entra

What happens if I don’t register for Entra?

You will not be able to sign in to any Boise State systems, including Student Center, Canvas, Google Workspace, and Zoom until you complete the registration process.

Can I delete the Duo mobile app?

If you don’t use Duo to authenticate with other non-Boise State systems, you may delete the app.

Didn’t we just start using Duo? Why are we switching?

It feels like we just implemented Duo, but we’ve been using it for more than four years! Boise State implemented Duo for faculty and staff in September 2020 and for students in October 2021.

We know this change is significant, but it provides enhanced account security for the university.

Entra registration

Am I required to use Entra?

Yes, everyone is required to use Entra to log in to University applications such as myBoiseState, Google Workspace (which includes email), Canvas, Zoom web client, VPN client, PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and Bronco Hub.

Any accounts not previously required to use Duo will be required to register for and multi-factor authenticate using Entra.

What is multi-factor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of security to our systems. It requires you to verify your identity using another method (like your mobile device) to prevent anyone else from logging into your accounts, even if they know your password.

Do I need a smartphone to use Entra?

No, a smartphone is not required. You may also register using a phone number that can accept text messages.

If you are unable to enroll using the Authenticator app or text message, please contact the Help Desk to learn more about purchasing and registering with a hard token.

Can I enroll with more than one method?

Yes! In fact, we suggest doing so as a backup. Follow the instructions at the top of the page to add an additional authentication method.

Can I use an international number with Entra?

Yes, you can use an international number with Entra. Choose the appropriate country code when registering for text messages.

Need assistance?

For more information, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357, helpdesk@boisestate.edu, or ServiceNow.