I need to change my authentication method

When you change your phone you will need to set up the second level of authentication again to access your REF account. What you do will depend on whether you have access to your old phone or not. 

If you have access to your old phone:

The two available methods are:

1. Use the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile phone
2. Use an alternative authenticator app on your mobile phone

How to set up each method is described below. Once you've decided on a method please follow the relevant guidance below. 

If you have any problems with these steps please contact the REF team at usersupport@ref.ac.uk.

Use the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile phone

This method uses the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile phone. 

If you don’t already have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed you will need to download it to your phone. Once you have the app on your phone, follow the instructions in the table below.

If you already have the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile phone, follow the instructions in the table below.

Open a Private or Incognito window Paste in this link: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info Follow the instructions on the screen and use your current authentication method When the Security info screen appears on your computer screen, click on Add sign-in method
Click on Microsoft Authenticator (click on this even if you're going to use a different authenticator app)
If you're using the Microsoft Authenticator app, click on Next If you're using another authenticator app, click on Set up a different authentication app (skip the next few steps and go to the different authenticator app section)
If you're using the Microsoft Authenticator app click on Next
Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone and tap to add a new account Scan the QR code on screen, this will add the account to your phone Click on Next
Enter the number that appears on screen into your Microsoft Authenticator app prompt, and tap Yes
Once this is done, you will see this success screen, please click Done

Use an alternative authenticator app

This method uses an alternative authenticator app on your mobile phone, (anything other than the Microsoft Authenticator app). If you already use a different authenticator app on your mobile phone, you can use that to authenticate yourself.

If you don't have access to your old phone: 

• If you don't have access to your old phone please email the REF team at usersupport@ref.ac.uk and we will reset the authentication app for you so you can set it up again