MSN 2 step verification for Mac Book Air

Question

Is there anyone that has successfully completed the MSN 2 step verification for a Mac desktop? If so, could you please walk me through the process. Microsoft Authenticator & Google Authenticator are not compatible with the Mac desktops and I am having difficulty with the verification for my MSN email.

Answer 1

Hi Furkaan,

Thank you for the help in setting up 2 step verification on my MSN email. I was successful in doing that. However, shortly after having 2 step verification turned on, I could not receive any emails on any of my devices. I had to turn off the 2 step verification and the emails began to be delivered. Do you have any thoughts as to why this may have happened and what can I do to correct the situation. Thank you

Answer 2

Hi Sally,

Thank you for reaching out. My name is Furkaan, a user just like you. I’d be happy to help you with your concerns. You're right, Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator are primarily designed for mobile devices. But there's good news! You can still enable two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) for your MSN email (which is likely an Outlook.com account) on your MacBook Air. Here's how:

Use the built-in security features of your Mac:

Apple offers its own two-factor authentication system for your Apple ID. This can be used to add an extra layer of security when signing into various applications, including those that use your Microsoft account. Here's how to enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID:

Go to System Preferences. Click on Apple ID. Select Password & Security. Click on Turn on Two-Factor Authentication. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your verification method (e.g., trusted phone number).

Consider alternative authenticator apps:

While Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator might not have dedicated Mac desktop apps, there are other authenticator apps that work well on macOS. Here are a couple of options:

Microsoft Authenticator: This app actually has a browser extension that can be used on your Mac. While not ideal as a dedicated app, it can still generate verification codes for your MSN email.

Manage verification codes within your Microsoft account:

You can also manage your two-step verification settings and access backup verification codes directly from your Microsoft account security settings. This way, you'll have alternative methods to verify your identity if you don't have your phone or authenticator app handy. Here's how to access your Microsoft account security settings:

Login to your Microsoft account on a web browser (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-loginlivecom-does-not-respond/56fd28da-8395-4f7f-af1b-1b2562c9ade5). Click on your profile picture in the top right corner. Select View account. Go to Security and then Advanced security options. From here, you can manage your verification methods and access backup codes.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below. Best Regards, Furkaan