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Setting up device unlock multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Device unlock is a multi-factor authentication (MFA) method that strengthens your ID.me account security by using a smartphone, tablet, or computer to confirm your identity when you sign in to your ID.me account. This article explains how to set up MFA using device unlock and how to sign in after you set it up.

Before you start

  • You can add as many devices as you’d like, but each device can only be registered one time.
  • We recommend using the most updated version of Google Chrome when setting up and signing in to ID.me using device unlock MFA.
  • While not all ID.me partners require you to set up MFA for your ID.me account, we recommend using MFA to help protect your account from scams and phishing attempts.
Note: The information provided to complete MFA using device unlock, like your fingerprint or face ID, is not shared with ID.me. For more information on ID.me’s Privacy Policy, refer to ID.me’s Privacy Bill of Rights.

Set up device unlock MFA

You will set up or add the device unlock MFA from the device you’re using at the time you set it up, then choose the device you’ll use to complete sign in to your ID.me account. For example:

  • Computer only - When using your computer to set up device unlock, choose to set up with your computer as the method to sign in.
  • Smartphone only - When using your smartphone to set up device unlock, choose to set up with your smartphone as the method to sign in.
  • Computer and smartphone - When using your computer to set up device unlock, choose to set up with your smartphone as the method to sign in.
Tip: To ensure continued access to this MFA method across devices, we recommend setting this up with as many devices as you usually use (i.e. smartphone and computer).

1. Begin device unlock setup

Setting up device unlock MFA will differ if you’re setting up MFA for the first time, or simply adding unlock device as an MFA method.

To set up device unlock for the first time, during MFA setup, select Device unlock. Next, continue to Choose your unlock device method.

Add device unlock

To add device unlock as an MFA method:

  1. Sign in to your ID.me account.
  2. Complete MFA with a method you already have set up.
  3. Select Sign in and security.
  4. Next to “Device Unlock,” select Add.

2. Choose your unlock device method

How you complete the device unlock setup depends on the device you’re using and the device you want to use to sign in to your ID.me account.

Computer

To continue setting up your device on your computer, with your computer as the unlock device:

  1. In the pop-up window, select This Device.
  2. Unlock your computer.
  3. In your ID.me account, select Rename to rename your device to something you will recognize. In this case, you may name your computer, “My laptop.”

Smartphone

To continue setting up your device on your smartphone, with your smartphone as the unlock device:

  1. In the pop-up window, select This Device.
  2. Complete your smartphone’s unlock method. This could be using your fingerprint, Face ID, pattern, code, or another method.
  3. In your ID.me account, select Rename to rename your device to something you will recognize. In this case, you may name your smartphone “My iPhone” or “My Android”.

Computer + smartphone

To continue setting up your device on your computer, with your smartphone as the unlock device:

  1. In the pop-up window, select Use phone with a QR code.
  2. Open your phone’s camera or QR reader app.
  3. Scan the QR code that displays on your computer.
  4. Complete your smartphone’s unlock method. This could be using your fingerprint, Face ID, pattern, code, or another method.
  5. In your ID.me account, select Rename to rename your device to something you will recognize. In this case, you may name your smartphone “My iPhone” or “My Android.”

Sign in with device unlock

After you set up your device unlock, you’ll be prompted to complete sign in to your ID.me account using this method. During the sign in process, you will begin signing in from the device you set up the device unlock with and complete your sign in using the device you chose to sign in with.

To sign in:

  1. Sign in to your ID.me account.
  2. Select Device Unlock.
  3. Complete device unlock with the prompted device. If it doesn’t work at first, select Try again.

Troubleshooting

Review the information below for troubleshooting specific to device unlock MFA.

For help with general MFA issues, visit Troubleshooting multi-factor authentication.

Sign in using the correct device

If you set up device unlock using your computer and set your computer as the unlock method, you must complete signing in from your computer.

Browser troubleshooting

Use the same browser across your devices. Switching the browser you use can cause issues when completing sign in using device unlock. We recommend using the most up-to-date version of Chrome.

I’m not receiving notifications

If you aren’t receiving a notification on your Android phone when using device unlock on your computer, make sure you have:

  • Bluetooth enabled on your devices
  • Allowed notifications from Chrome in your settings

I cannot sign in using device unlock

If you have issues using device unlock, use a different MFA method to sign in. Otherwise, select Update my settings to re-add device unlock or set up another MFA method.

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