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Enable Passwordless Sign-In in Microsoft Authenticator

Applies to: Employees, Students, Microsoft Authenticator

This guide walks you through turning on passwordless sign-in for your SMU Microsoft 365 account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Once enabled, you’ll no longer need to enter your password — just approve the sign-in using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

Requirements

Before you start, make sure:

  • You’ve already added your SMU account to the Microsoft Authenticator app
  • Your device has Face ID, Touch ID, or a secure passcode set up
  • Your account is registered with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Information

Note About Device Registration

To use Passwordless Sign-In, your phone must be registered as a trusted device in SMU’s Microsoft environment.

This is not device management.

Registering your device does not allow SMU to:

  • View your personal data
  • Manage or control your phone
  • Install/remove apps
  • Track your location
  • Perform remote wipes

What registration does do:

  • Confirms the device belongs to you
  • Allows secure sign-in requests to be sent to your phone

Only basic diagnostic details (such as device type and OS version) are visible — nothing related to personal usage or content.

Steps to Enable Passwordless Sign-In

  1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
  1. Tap on your SMU account

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  1. Tap Set up passwordless sign-in requests located under Other Ways To Sign In

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  1. The Sign-in with your phone page will appear
  1. Wait a moment while the app registers the device with your account
  1. Once complete, you’ll see a message like:

Phone sign-in enabled for this account

You're All Set

From now on, when signing in to your SMU account:

  • Enter only your email address
  • If you still see a password prompt, select Use app instead below the password field
  • A 2-digit number will appear on your screen
  • Open the Authenticator app, tap the matching number, and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode

No password required.

Want to Turn It Off?

You can disable phone sign-in anytime:

  1. Open the Authenticator app
  1. Tap your SMU account → gear icon

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  1. Tap Disable phone sign-in

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  1. Tap Disable to confirm

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Other resources

smu.edu/help | 214-768-HELP | help@smu.edu