Push notification multi-factor authentication (MFA) strengthens your ID.me account security by sending a notification through the ID.me Authenticator app when you sign in.
This article explains how to set up push notification MFA and how to sign in after you set it up.
Before you start
- To use push notifications for MFA, you need the ID.me Authenticator mobile app. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play Store. If the ID.me Authenticator app is not available in your country, use a different MFA method, such as passkey or code generator.
- Enable notifications for the ID.me Authenticator app.
- Learn about system requirements to use the ID.me Authenticator app.
- While not all organizations require you to set up MFA for your ID.me account, we recommend setting up MFA on your account.
Set up push notification MFA
To set up the push notification MFA method for the first time:
- When prompted to choose an MFA method, select Push Notification.
- Choose to receive the ID.me Authenticator app download link by Text message or Email, enter your information, then select Continue.
Note: If you choose to receive the link via Email, open and select the link on the device where the ID.me Authenticator app will be used. - Select the activation link that was sent to you, and then follow the prompts to install the app if necessary. Otherwise, selecting the activation link will open the app if it has already been installed.
- When prompted with a "Registration Request", select Yes to approve the request and enable the ID.me Authenticator app to receive push notifications for MFA. If you did not receive a Registration Request in the ID.me Authenticator app, start over.
Note: To receive push notifications for MFA, enable push notifications for the ID.me Authenticator app.
Add push notification MFA
If you previously set up a different MFA method, you can add push notification MFA as a secondary method. This won’t replace the first MFA method you set up. To add push notification MFA:
- Go to the ID.me sign-in page and sign in to your account, using your existing MFA method.
- In My Account, select Sign in & Security.
- Next to Push Notification, select Set Up.
- If prompted, authenticate with your current MFA method.
- Follow steps 2-4 in Set up push notification MFA.
Sign in with push notification
After you set up push notification MFA, you will have the option to use this method for MFA at sign-in. After you successfully enter your email address and password, you will receive a push notification from the ID.me Authenticator app requesting your approval to sign in. To authenticate:
- Sign in to your ID.me account.
- Select Push Notification for MFA.
- Select the notification on your smartphone to open the ID.me Authenticator app.
- Select Yes to approve your sign in.
Update your phone number for MFA
When you change your phone number, smartphone, or phone carrier, you’ll need to update the phone number connected to your ID.me account. To learn how to do this, visit Updating your phone number for MFA.
Troubleshooting
Review the information below for troubleshooting specific to push notification MFA.
For help with general MFA issues, visit Troubleshooting multi-factor authentication.
I didn’t receive a link to download the ID.me Authenticator app
When setting up push notifications as your MFA method, you must download the ID.me Authenticator app. The app sends you a push notification to tap every time you sign in to your ID.me Account. It’s not currently possible to use other authenticator apps.
You can send a download link to your smartphone via text message or to your email address. If you don’t receive the link:
- Confirm you have reliable WiFi and internet connection.
- Confirm you have the most up-to-date operating system installed on your device.
- Check with your phone provider to ensure your service is active.
- Restart your device.
- If you’re using a tablet, try a smartphone.
- Try again to set up push notification MFA.