Add a New Device to Duo

Overview

New devices can be added to Duo from the Duo Prompt. Including multiple options for authentication is best practice so that you can always access your account. 

In this article:

• What materials do I need?
• Enroll a New Device
• Device Types
  • Recommended Devices
    • Duo Mobile app
    • Security Key (e.g., YubiKey, Token2, etc.)
    • Feitian Token (students only) 
  • Backup Devices
    • Mobile Device Verification
    • macOS TouchID
    • Windows Hello
  • Not Recommended
    • Phone/SMS
    • Landline
• Is there any additional information I should know about?
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Need additional help or have issues

 

What materials do I need?

• Active at the University of Alaska (UA) System
  • Students registered for at least 1 credit through UAOnline, or
  • Employees with an active job status
• UA username and current UA password.
  • If you forgot your UA username or password, please visit the ME.UAA account recovery website.
• Internet access
• Web browser (i.e. Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, etc)
• Desktop or laptop computer
• A compatible device you regularly keep with you

 

Enroll a New Device

1. On a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection, open your preferred web browser.
2. Log in to any online service such UAOnline, Blackboard, Google Workspace @ UA, etc.
3. At the Duo prompt, click Other options at the bottom.
   
    
4. Click Manage Devices at the bottom of the prompt.
   
    
5. Choose an authentication method.
   
    
6. Once authenticated, the page will redirect you to the Manage Devices page.
7. Click inside the Add a device box.
   
    
8. Select an option for another Duo device.
    
    
9. Proceed to the Device Types section to add various Duo-compatible devices.

 

Device Types

Recommended Devices

The Duo Mobile app, Security Key, and Feitian One-Time-Password (OTP) Hardware Token are the recommended authentication devices, as they provide the best user experience, are easy to carry at all times, and offer broad compatibility across platforms and devices. Once one of these devices is set up, additional recommended devices can also be configured as backups.

 

Duo Mobile app

• To set up MFA for the first time or add another mobile device with Duo Mobile, please visit the Set up Multi-Factor Authentication with Duo article
• To reactivate Duo Mobile on a new smartphone, please visit the Add My New Smartphone for Duo Mobile article.

 

Security Key (e.g., YubiKey, Token2, etc.)

1. Click the Security key option at Select an option prompt.
   
    
2. Click on Continue.
   
    
3. Continue to follow your computer's on-screen prompts. This will vary from other operating systems.
   
    
4. Once you have completed the setup prompts, it will pair your passkey with Duo. Click the OK button to close the prompt.
   
    
5. Congratulations, your Security Key has been added.
   

 

Feitian One-Time-Password (OTP) Hardware Token (students only)

1. Click the Security key option at Select an option prompt
   
    
2. Under Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled, click the Hardware keys button.
3. Enter the Serial Number on the back of your Feitian token.
4. Click the Add hardware key button.
5. Congratulations, your token has been added.

 

Backup Devices

We advise against using Mobile Device Verification, macOS Touch ID, or Windows Hello as your sole primary method for Duo authentication. You may not always have a mobile Windows or macOS computer with you at all times, and these methods are not supported across all platforms and devices. Therefore, they are best used as secondary or backup authentication methods.

 

Mobile Device Verification

1. Click the Device verification option at Select an option prompt
   
    
2. Click the Continue button to proceed with the set up.
   
    
3. Your mobile device will prompt you to use your face, fingerprint, PIN, or your other device authentication methods. Follow the on-screen prompts.
   
    
4. Congratulations, your mobile device verification has been added.

 

macOS TouchID

1. While on your macOS computer, click the TouchID option at Select an option prompt.
2. Click Continue to prompt Touch ID authentication.
   
    
3. Enter the Touch ID account password.
4. Congratulations, your macOS TouchID has been added.

 

Windows Hello

1. Before you begin, ensure you have a Windows Hello method set up already: Microsoft Support - Learn about Windows Hello and set it up
2. While on your Windows computer, click the Windows Hello option at the Select an option prompt.
   
    
3. Click the Continue button to proceed with the set up.
   
    
4. A Windows Hello prompt will appear on your screen. Select your Windows Hello method. In this example, PIN was selected.
   
    
5. Once you have authenticated Windows Hello, it will pair it with Duo. Click the OK button to continue.
   
    
6. Congratulations, your Windows Hello method has been added.
   

 

Not Recommended

Starting July 1, 2025, the SMS-based MFA method will no longer be available in Duo. This change is part of the UA System's ongoing effort to prioritize user security by transitioning to more reliable and resilient methods of authentication.  

For employees and students, please note that the phone MFA method will remain available until Jan. 1, 2026. This option provides some additional time for users to transition to more secure MFA methods. 

Learn more at our Green & Gold page, Important update: SMS MFA method in Duo is being retired

 

Phone/SMS

1. Click the Phone number option at the Select an option prompt.
   
    
2. Enter your phone number.
   
    
3. Click the Continue button to proceed.
4. Confirm if it is the correct number. If it is, click the Yes, it's correct button.
     
    
5. You will receive a call from 907-455-2100. Answer the call from Duo.
6. Type in the code from the call.
7. Congratulations, your Phone has been added.
   

 

Landline

1. Click the Phone number option at the Select an option prompt.
   
    
2. Enter your landline phone number.
3. Check the "This is a landline phone" box.
   
    
4. Click the Continue button to proceed.
5. Type in your landline's extension, if applicable. Otherwise, click Skip this step to proceed.
   
    
6. Confirm if it is the correct number. If it is, click the Yes, it's correct button.
     
    
7. You will receive a call from 907-455-2100. Answer the call from Duo.
8. Type in the code from the call.
9. Congratulations, your Landline has been added.
   

 

Is there any additional information I should know about?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Multi-Factor Authentication FAQs article provides answers to the following FAQs and more:

• How long will MFA remain active on my account?
• What if I'm getting an MFA prompt (Duo Push or phone call) but I didn't try to log in?
• I get an error on my phone. Account Error Something unexpected happened. Please contact your helpdesk. NSURLErrorDomain -999/-1200

For more information and resources about MFA, please visit our Knowledge Base catalog, Multi-factor Authentication.
 

Need additional help or have issues

For support, requests may be submitted anytime using the appropriate Questions or Assistance with Multi-Factor Authentication form. Requests generate a Ticket which will be worked in order received and urgency by UAA Employees with the knowledge and permissions to assist with the request.

For immediate assistance please review the Contact Us page for the appropriate support group.