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How to Set Up a Mobile Phone for Two-Step Authentication

You can use a mobile phone that is not a smartphone for your authentication device. You receive your authentication passcode via an SMS text message or receive an automated phone call that requires you to press any key to authenticate.

Set up your mobile phone

  1. Open a browser and go to the Stanford Accounts page.
  2. Click Manage, authenticate if requested, and click the Two-Step tab.
  3. Authenticate to access the My Settings & Devices screen.

    Image of Accounts screen requesting authentication to access the My Settings and Devices screen

  4. If this is the first time you are setting up your two-step authentication, click Start setup.
    If you already have a device set up, a screen displays showing your two-step authentication devices.

  5. Click Add a device or Add another device.

    Image of my settings and devices screen

  6. The screen What type of device are you adding? appears. Click Mobile phone and click Continue.

    Image of screen asking what type of device you are using

  7. The screen Enter your phone number appears. Choose your country from the drop-down menu, enter your mobile phone number, and click the checkbox to confirm your number. Click Continue.

    Image of screen asking you to enter your phone number

  8. A screen asks what type of phone you have. Click Other (and cell phones), then click Continue.

    Image of screen asking what type of phone you use

  9. Your mobile phone is added to the My Settings & Devices screen. You can use the Default Device drop-down menu to make the mobile phone your default device, then click Save.

    Image of screen with mobile phone set as a default

Authenticate on your mobile phone

Two methods of authentication are available for mobile phones:

  • SMS text message — a text message with a seven-digit passcode is sent to your mobile phone, if your mobile phone can receive SMS text messages.
  • Phone call — you receive an automated phone call  that requires you to press any key.
Last modified May 21, 2018