Migrating from DUO to Microsoft MFA authentication for all Purdue campuses

A: Duo will be retired for most users and replaced with Microsoft MFA on May 29, 2026. 

Note: For Purdue Global users, Duo will continue to be used for applications accessed with a Purdue Global account.

A: 

• Purdue Global: Yes, Duo will continue to be used for applications accessed with a Purdue Global account.
• Main Campus and Other Purdue Accounts: Duo will no longer be required for Purdue SSO applications after the transition to Microsoft MFA. Duo may be uninstalled from your devices.

A: MFA works on iPhone and Mac devices without issue if the device is up to date. If you are experiencing issues accessing your email on these devices, while using the included mail application, this means you either need to update the device, or re-add your mail account to the application. At this time, the only mail client we support fully is Outlook. However, we have had no issues with current mail clients provided by Apple, as they support modern authentication.

A: Microsoft Authenticator app (Default Method)

• Microsoft authenticator is the preferred solution for approving MFA requests. It provides simple push notifications so the user does not have to enter codes into the authentication dialogue, and can generate 6 digit codes if needed.

SMS Codes (Text messages)

• Users can receive text messages/SMS containing codes they can enter to approve the authentication.
   
  • This method is only recommend as a back-up if the Authenticator App is not available. To receive text messages for authentication you must first set up your account to include text messaging as a verification method. To do this see: Microsoft Support's: Set up text messaging as your verification method

Phone Calls

• Users can register a cell or landline phone number to receive a call that prompts them to approve the authentication. 
   
  • This method is only recommend as a back-up if the Authenticator App is not available. To receive text messages for authentication you must first set up your account to include text messaging as a verification method. To do this see: Microsoft Support's: Set up a phone call as your verification method

Physical token (FOB) for MFA

• If you do not own a smartphone, or plan to be in a part of the world where you will not have Internet access and are therefore unable to use Microsoft Authenticator, a physical token may be utilized. Learn more by reading "How do I obtain a physical token (FOB) for MFA?" in the Purdue iT Knowledge Base. 

A: Microsoft and Purdue IT highly recommend using the Outlook Web App (OWA), Outlook email client, or the Outlook mobile app to access your Purdue Office 365 email.

Depending on your phone and/or email client, Microsoft MFA may not work with unsupported desktop and third-party email applications and are not recommended. Changes to Microsoft MFA and security policies may affect the ability to use these clients after enrollment.

In some cases, already established mail profiles can't make the transition to MFA from single factor authentication and users should remove the profile from their mail client on their phone, then re-add it to enable MFA security.

For the best experience and complete support, Microsoft recommends connecting through one of the following ways:

• connecting to the Outlook Web App (OWA) using a web browser and the link below:
  • https://outlook.office.com
• via Exchange within the most current version of the Outlook desktop client or using the most current version of Outlook App for iOS/Android

Microsoft's mobile Outlook App is a proven option that works with MFA; you can learn more by visiting the link below:

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook-mobile-for-android-and-ios

Microsoft DOES NOT recommend the use of other clients with Office 365, as there are often significant limitations in client functionality as a result.

Because of this, Purdue IT is only able to offer best-effort support for non-Microsoft supported clients, and certain issues may require the use of a Microsoft client to be resolved.

To find help with other clients, please visit:

• Microsoft Support
• Google Support
• Apple Mail Support
• Thunderbird Support

A: Microsoft MFA provides multiple options for authenticating your log in credentials, including the Microsoft Authenticator App, voice calls and text messages to your cell phone, voice calls to a landline office phone, and the use of physical hardware tokens (also called FOBs). It is recommended that users have at least two authentication options registered.  

Go to How to change Microsoft MFA authentication methods

A: Multi-factor authentication means that anyone logging into your email account must know both the password and have something with them – like a cell phone or access to your landline telephone number.  

If your account becomes compromised – say because of phishing or someone stealing your password – they still won’t be able to access your account because they are unable to provide the second required authentication factor.  

To learn more, visit this page from Microsoft which explains more fully how MFA works. 

A: Yes.  The most recommended primary method is Microsoft Authenticator app.  It is recommended that users enroll with at least one other method as a back-up option for recovery purposes. 

You can enroll additional methods by following the steps here: How to change Microsoft MFA authentication methods