UW–⁠Madison Information Technology
Connecting & supporting our digital campus

Prove it’s you! Multi-factor authentication for students

Last updated April 24, 2024

UW–‍Madison uses Duo Security (MFA-Duo) for our multi-factor authentication service. You must enroll in MFA-Duo in order to access your UW–‍Madison online data (Canvas, email, MyUW, etc). This additional security step uses something you know (your NetID and password) with something you have (your smartphone or token/fob) to “prove it’s you!”

Follow these steps to enroll, add and manage devices, and do what’s necessary if you don’t have your device.

How to get MFA-Duo on your device

  1. Go to the Multi-Factor Authentication portal
  2. Select your device
  3. Enter your device’s information
  4. Activate Duo on your device

First time setup for smartphone/tablet

How to register a token/fob

MFA-Duo: logging in

Log in to your account. Enter your NetID and password.

Confirm your login on your mobile device. This will be as easy as pressing a single button.

Logging in with MFA-Duo

Solutions to common issues

Select your issue below or search the KnowledgeBase for comprehensive guidance.

mobile phone with a check mark on the screen

Using the Duo mobile app

meshing gears

Setting a default login device

Accessibility symbol

Accessibility Information

Set up

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

First time setup for a smartphone

  1. Open a browser and navigate to Multi-Factor Authentication portal. When prompted, authenticate with your NetID and password.
  2. Click the Start setup button.
  3. Select Mobile Phone, press Continue. (Your device must be a smartphone.)
  4. Enter the phone number of the device. Next, verify this is the correct number of the device by checking the box. Press Continue.
  5. Select the type of phone that the number is associated with and press Continue.
  6. Download the Duo Mobile Application for your device if using the iPhone or Android options:
  7. Open the Duo App on your phone.
    • Note: After opening the Duo app, you may be asked to accept notification and camera privileges. Click Allow if prompted.
  8. Tap the plus sign button.
  9. Scan the QR code on the screen.
  10. You should see a page telling you that enrollment was successful. Click Dismiss.
  11. Congratulations, you’re done!

First time setup for a tablet

  1. Open a browser and navigate to Multi-Factor Authentication portal. When prompted, authenticate with your NetID and password.
  2. Click the Start setup button.
  3. Select Tablet.
  4. Select iOS or Android (depending on your device), press Continue.
  5. Download the Duo Mobile Application for iOS or Android:
  6. Open the Duo App on your tablet.
    • Note: After opening the Duo app, you may be asked to accept notification and camera privileges. Click Allow if prompted.
  7. Tap the plus sign button.
  8. Scan the QR code on the screen.
  9. You should see a page telling you that enrollment was successful. Click Dismiss.
  10. Congratulations, you’re done!

Add/manage devices

  1. Navigate to the Multi-Factor Authentication portal. Authenticate with your UW–‍Madison NetID and Password. You will also be asked to approve the login through your existing multi-factor authentication devices.
  2. Click Add Another Device.
  3. Follow the instructions specific to the device type you would like to add. UW–‍Madison recommends you add your smartphone.

For adding a smart phone

  1. Select Mobile Phone, press Continue. (Your device must be a smartphone)
  2. Enter the phone number of the device. Next, verify this is the correct number of the device by checking the box. Press Continue.
  3. Select the type of phone that the number is associated with and press Continue.
  4. Download the Duo Mobile Application for your device if using the iPhone or Android options:
    1. iOS/iPhone: Download the Duo Mobile App from the App Store.
    2. Android: Download the Duo Mobile App from the Google Play Store.
  5. Open the Duo App on your phone.
    1. Note: After opening the Duo app, you may be asked to accept notification and camera privileges. Click Allow if prompted.
  6. Tap the plus sign button.
  7. Scan the QR code on the screen.
  8. The device has been added. You should now see it on the Multi-Factor Authentication portal.

For adding a tablet

  1. Select Tablet.
  2. Select iOS or Android (depending on your device), press Continue.
  3. Download the Duo Mobile Application for iOS or Android:
  4. Open the Duo App on your tablet.
    • Note: After opening the Duo app, you may be asked to accept notification and camera privileges. Click Allow if prompted.
  5. Tap the plus sign button.
  6. Scan the QR code on the screen.
  7. The device has been added. You should now see it on the Multi-Factor Authentication portal.

What to do if you don't have your device

If you are unable to authenticate to MFA-Duo because you do not have your device or the application is not working correctly, you have several options:

  • Navigate to the Multi-Factor Authentication portal and scroll down to “Request Temporary Passcode for Emergency Access.”
  • Call the DoIT Help Desk (608)264-4357 so an agent can verify your identity and issue you a temporary bypass code.
  • Plan ahead by navigating to the Multi-Factor Authentication portal and generate Backup Passcodes for future use.

FAQs & help

MFA-Duo FAQs for students

Contact the Help Desk