Sign in to the Hub for the first time

• Open an Incognito or Private browser window

• Go to https://ref29.sharepoint.com/
    
• This Sign in box will appear.
  
  
• Enter your REF email address, (we sent you an email with these details)
  
  
• Click on Next
  
  

• Enter the password we have sent you
  
  
• Click on Sign in 

• When this message appears, click on Next 

• After a few seconds, this message will appear
• Follow the instructions below

• On your computer screen, click on I want to set up a different method 

• Click on Phone, (please note, we only use text messages to authenticate, even though it mentions phone calls here)

• Click in the first box and select United Kingdom (+44)
• Click in the second box and type in your mobile phone number, (you can type it in with or without the leading 0)
• Click on Next 

• You will receive a text with six-digit code, (if you use WhatsApp the code may appear there)
  
  
• On your computer screen, type in the six-digit code
• Click on Next 

This is how you will authenticate yourself each time you sign in to your REF account.

• When this message appears click on Next

• Click on Done  

• Click on Text +XX XXXX….

• You will receive another message on your phone with a new six-digit code
• Enter the code on to your computer screen
• Click on Verify 

• If you have WhatsApp on your phone then you should receive any code numbers in WhatsApp but it’s worth checking your text app as well if the code doesn’t appear.
• If you don’t have WhatsApp on your phone the codes will always be delivered in a text message.  

• You will now be prompted to change your password. Your new password must be at least eight characters long and must contain three of the following:

1. Uppercase letter
2. Lowercase letter
3. Number
4. Symbol
   
   

• Type in your current password (this is the one we sent to you)
  
• Type in your new password
• Type in your new password a second time to confirm it
• Click on Sign in 

• You now need to read and accept our terms of use of the REF account
  
  
• Click on Terms of use and read through the document
  
  
• Once you have read and understood the terms of use scroll down and click on Accept 
  
  
• This will only appear the first time you sign in

• Once you see the REF Hub you are signed into your REF account

• On your computer screen, click on Next 

• Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
• If prompted, allow notifications
• Tap on the + to add an account
  
  
• Tap on Work or school account
• Tap on Scan QR code – this will open your camera within the Authenticator app
  
  
• On your computer screen, click on Next

• Hold your phone up to scan the QR code on your computer screen
• After a few seconds a REF 2029 account will appear in your Authenticator app like this, (on your mobile)
  
  
• Do not continue to the next step in these instructions until your account has appeared in the Authenticator app on your mobile

• On your computer screen, click on Next

• A number will appear on your computer screen, like this
• A prompt will appear on your mobile phone
• Enter the number in to your mobile phone and tap Yes
• Follow any instructions on your mobile phone to authenticate yourself  

• Once the notification has been approved click on Next

• When the Success! message appears, click on Done

• You should get a notification on your mobile phone (it doesn’t matter if you don’t)
  
  
• Open the authenticator app on your mobile phone
    
• On your mobile phone, type in the number that appears on your computer screen, just as you did a few steps ago
  
  
• Tap on Yes
  
  
• This is how you will authenticate yourself each time you sign in to your REF account.

• Type in your current password (this is the one we sent to you)
  
  
• Type in your new password
• Type in your new password a second time to confirm it
• Click on Sign in 

• Your password must be at least eight characters long and must contain three of the following:

1. Uppercase letter
2. Lowercase letter
3. Number
4. Symbol
   
   

• You now need to read and accept our terms of use of the REF account
  
  
• Click on Terms of use and read through the document
  
  
• Once you have read and understood the terms of use scroll down and click on Accept 

• Once you see the REF Hub you are signed into your REF account

• On your computer screen, click on I want to use a different authenticator app 

• Open your authenticator app on your phone
• Tap to add a new account, (how you do this will depend on which authenticator app you are using)
• On your computer screen, click on Next

• Hold your phone up to the QR code on your computer screen
• After a few seconds a REF 2029 account will appear in your authenticator app, (on your mobile)
• On your computer screen, click on Next

• Open the authenticator app on your mobile phone and find the six-digit code for your REF account
  
  
• Enter the six-digit code on to your computer screen. The code will change every 30 seconds so make sure you enter the code straight away
  
  
• Once the check is finished click on Next

• When this message appears click on Done

• Open the authenticator app on your phone
• In the authenticator app, find the six-digit code for your REF account
• On your computer, type in that six-digit number, (it does change every 30 seconds)
• Click on Verify

• You will use the authenticator app every time you sign into your REF account

• Type in your current password (this is the one we sent to you)
  
  
• Type in your new password
• Type in your new password a second time to confirm it
• Click on Sign in 

• Your password must be at least eight characters long and must contain three of the following:

1. Uppercase letter
2. Lowercase letter
3. Number
4. Symbol
   

• You now need to read and accept our terms of use of the REF account
  
  
• Click on Terms of use and read through the document
  
  
• Once you have read and understood the terms of use scroll down and click on Accept 

• Once you see the REF Hub you are signed into your REF account