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Set Up Google Authenticator for MFA

January 21, 2025
Categories: 
How-tos, Individuals, MFA

Step 1: Select the authenticator app option

  • After signing in to your myHawaii account from the myHawaii login page, you may be prompted to register for multi-factor authentication (MFA). If so, please follow the steps below.
  • On the MFA registration screen, select Authenticator app.
  • Select Next to continue.
    Multi-factor authentication registration screen displaying options for an authenticator app or text message/voice call, where the authenticator app is selected

Step 2: Install Google authenticator

  • If you don’t have the Google Authenticator app, install it on your mobile device.
  • Some mobile devices, such as Apple iPhones, may already have a built-in verification code feature.

Step 3: Open Google authenticator

  • Open the Google Authenticator app on your mobile device.
  • Tap the + sign icon to add a new account.
    Google Authenticator app on iOS displaying an empty codes screen with an 'Add a code' button and a highlighted + icon for setting up authenticator app verification codes
  • Select Scan a QR Code.
    Google Authenticator app on iOS displaying an empty codes screen with the + icon tapped, showing options to enter a setup key or scan a QR code, with 'Scan a QR code' highlighted for setting up authenticator app verification codes
  • If prompted, allow the app to access your camera.

Step 4: Scan the QR code

  • On the myHawaii Authenticator app registration screen, a QR code will be displayed.
    Multi-factor authentication registration screen for authenticator app with download instructions for Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator, a QR code for the user to scan, and a next button
  • Select On a mobile device? if you are signing in on a mobile device. Otherwise, use Google Authenticator to scan the QR code.
    Google Authenticator app on iOS displaying the QR code scanning screen for setting up authenticator app verification codes
  • The app will generate a one-time password (OTP) code for myHawaii.

Step 5: Enter the verification code

  • Open Google Authenticator and retrieve the 6-digit verification code.
    Google Authenticator app on iOS displaying a generated verification code for myHawaii after setting up authenticator app verification codes
  • Enter the code in the Enter verification code field on the myHawaii screen.
    Multi-factor authentication screen for authenticator app displaying a field to enter the 6-digit verification code with a submit button
  • Select Submit to continue.

Step 6: Save your recovery codes

  • The Recovery codes screen will appear.
  • Select Copy or Print to save your recovery codes securely.
    Multi-factor authentication registration screen for authenticator app displaying recovery codes with copy, print, and done options
  • Store these codes in a safe place in case you lose access to your mobile device.

Step 7: Complete the MFA setup

  • After saving your recovery codes, select Done.
  • New users will be redirected to their eHawaii.gov profile to complete account setup.
  • You can now use Google Authenticator verification codes as part of your MFA sign-in process.
  • For added security, you can set up a secondary MFA method in your myHawaii profile.