How do I set up multi-factor authentication for my user account as a student?
Your institution may enable multi-factor authentication for your user account. Multi-factor authentication adds security to your account by verifying you are the user accessing your account. Multi-factor authentication may be optional or required.
You must have a mobile device to set up multi-factor authentication for your user account. Your device must be able to send text (SMS) messages, or if you have a smartphone, you can download the Google Authenticator app for iPhone or Android.
Note: This lesson shows how to set up multi-factor authentication if it is an optional setting in your user account. However, if multi-factor authentication is required by your institution, you will be shown the multi-factor authentication page directly after you log in to Canvas.
Open User Settings
In Global Navigation, click the Account link [1], then click the Settings link [2].
Verify via Authenticator App
To verify multi-factor authentication a time-based one-time password (TOTP) authenticator app on iPhone or Android (ex: Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy), download the app for your device.
Use the app to scan and generate the QR code [1]. Enter the code in the Verification Code field [2].
If you want multi-factor authentication to remember the computer you are using to log in to Canvas, click the Remember this computer checkbox [3].
Click the Verify button [4].
Verify via Text Message
To verify multi-factor authentication via text message, enter your phone number [1] and select your carrier [2]. This is the number where your multi-factor verification code will be sent.
Once you have set up your new phone number, or selected an existing phone number, click the Send button [3]. Your mobile device will receive a verification code. Enter the code in the Verification Code field [4].
If you want multi-factor authentication to remember the computer you are using to log in to Canvas, click the Remember this computer checkbox [5].
Click the Verify button [6].
Manage Multi-Factor Authentication
Once multi-factor authentication is enabled, your User Settings page may display additional options to manage your authentication.
You can choose to create multi-factor authentication codes to use as backup in case your authentication device is not available [1]. This option is available to all users with multi-factor authentication.
If multi-factor authentication is optional for your account, you can also choose to reconfigure authentication [2] or disable authentication [3].
