Set up Okta Verify for a new user

Okta Verify is an app that you download from the app store and install on your mobile device. Okta Verify is a Multifactor Authentication (MFA) security feature developed by Okta. Your organization may require you to use Okta Verify to verify your identity before allowing you to sign in to your organization.

How to set up Okta Verify

If you're a new Okta user and your organization requires you to use Okta Verify, follow these steps to sign in to your Okta account:

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Note

Don't feel like reading? Watch our video tutorial on how to set up Okta Verify for the first time.

 

Step 1 - Install the Okta Verify app

Go to the App Store and download and install the Okta Verify app to your device. Once installed and set up on your device, Okta Verify lets you verify your identity when you attempt to sign in to your organization's Okta account:

Proceed to Step 2 - Sign in to your Okta account.

 

Step 2 - Sign in to your Okta account

Once you've downloaded the Okta Verify app from the app store and installed it on your device, sign in to your organization's Okta account from your web browser.

 

  1. Open the web browser on your computer and access your organization's Okta sign-in page. It's located at the web address you use in your desktop browser to access your company portal. Your org's sign-in page web address looks like: 

    2.  

    https://org-name.okta.com

     

    where org-name represents the name of your company or organization.

     

    Don't know your organization's sign-in page web address? Look in your Okta Welcome/Activation email (if you received one during your company’s onboarding process). Your organization’s sign-in page web address is located below the Activate Okta account button.


  2. Enter your username (email address) and your password.


  3. Click Sign In.

    4. An example of the Okta sign-in page

  4. Proceed to Step 3 - Enroll your device with Okta Verify.

 

Step 3 - Enroll your device with Okta Verify

Now that you've attempted to sign in to Okta with your username and password, enroll your device with Okta Verify. Once your device is enrolled, you use Okta Verify on your device to verify your identity each time you sign in to your organization. When you enroll your device, Okta Verify uses the camera on your device to scan a QR code (also known as a QR code) on your computer screen. If you can't scan the QR code, see Enroll your device without scanning a QR code.

 

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Note

Currently, you can have only one Okta Verify account . You can only enroll one device in Okta Verify.

 

If Okta Verify is required by our organization, the Set up multifactor authentication screen appears the first time you attempt to sign in to Okta.

  1. Click Setup to begin the enrollment process.

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Note

If you see an option for Security Key (U2F), your administrator configured it as an additional factor. For more information, contact your administrator.

  1. In the Set Up Okta Verify screen, select your device type and then click Next.
  2. Add an account:

    3. iOS iOS

    • Tap Add Account.
    • When prompted, allow notifications and access to your camera.
    • Point your camera at the QR code displayed in your browser.

    Android Android

    • Tap the plus sign (+)
    • Point your camera at the QR code displayed in your browser.


    When you point the camera at the QR code, the camera detects and reads the QR code automatically and your device is enrolled in Okta Verify. The web browser on your computer returns to Set up multifactor authentication.

    If you cannot scan the QR code, see Enroll your device without scanning a QR code.


  3. Click Finish to complete device enrollment.

    4. Info

    Note

    If you see an option for Security Key (U2F), your administrator configured it as an additional factor. For more information, contact your administrator.

    You are directed to your Okta homepage. This confirms that device enrollment was successful.

    Continue to the next step to learn how to sign in with Okta Verify regularly after enrollment.

 

Enroll your device without scanning a QR code

Follow these steps if you're trying to enroll a device but can't scan the QR code. It may help to review the instructions in:

  1. At the Scan barcode step in your browser, click Can't scan?

    2. The Setup Okta Verify screen appears. There are two versions of this screen.


Important Note

Important

Don't click Next in the Setup Okta Verify screen until you reach Step 6 below.

  1. Depending on which version of the screen that appears in your browser, do the following:
    • If the screen has a drop down menu, choose the option best suited for you and follow the on-screen instructions:
      • Send activation link via SMS
      • Send activation link via email
      • Set up manually without Push Authentication. If you select this option, make a note of the Secret Key. You will enter it in the Okta Verify app on your device in a later step.
    • If the screen does not have a drop down menu, make a note of the Secret Key. You will need to enter it in the Okta Verify app on your device in a later step.

    Important Note

    Important

    Remember, don't click Next in the Setup Okta Verify screen until you reach Step 6 below.

  2. Open the Okta Verify app on your device and tap Add Account (iOS) or the plus sign (+) (Android).
  3. On the following screen, tap No Barcode?.
  4. On the Add account screen, do the following:
    1. In the Username field, enter your Okta email address.
    2. In the Secret key field, enter the secret key you made a note of earlier.
    3. Tap Add Account.
  5. In the Setup Okta Verify screen in your browser, click Next.
  6. In the Enter code displayed from the application screen in your browser, enter the number that appears under your account in Okta Verify on your device.

  7. Click Verify.

Next Step: Sign in to your org with Okta Verify