How Do I Use Duo for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Questions Answered in this Article

Setting Up & Managing Duo

Answers

All faculty, staff and students have the ability to use Duo as their two-factor authentication method. 

*Please note: Duo will automatically remember the last method you used to log in (e.g. YubiKey, Duo Verified Push, TOTP, etc.) and will display that option by default.

 

Phone and/or Tablet Setup

 

*Please note: Replace this text with information used to highlight details that would be helpful for the client to know prior to starting the instructions. 

  1. Go to UNCW’s Duo Enrollment Page and log in to your UNCW account.

    Welcome to Duo Security. Next.
     
  2. Click “Next” on the Duo welcome page. Read the security tips and click through to continue setup.

    Screen shot of What can you do?
     
  3. Under “Select an Option,” choose “Duo Mobile”.

    TECH TIP: Use a security key, like a YubiKey, as a backup device in case your primary device is unavailable.

    Select an option screen in Duo
     
  4. Enter the phone number of the mobile device you’ll use to authenticate, then click “Continue.”

    TECH TIP: Landlines, including UNCW office extensions, are not supported.

    TECH TIP: For tablets, click “I have a tablet” (below the "Continue" button). You won’t be asked for a phone number. Then skip to step 6 to continue the enrollment process.

    Screen shot of the enter your phone number screen in Duo
     
  5. If your phone number is correct, select “Yes, it’s correct.” Then confirm ownership by clicking “Send me a passcode.”

    Screen shot of verifying if your phone number is correct and confirming ownership
     
  6. Enter the passcode sent to your device, then click “Verify.”

    screen shot passcode sent.
     
  7. Your phone number has now been saved.
     
  8. Install the Duo Mobile app on your device, then click “Next” to set up Duo Mobile.
  9. Use your device to scan the QR code.

    TECH TIP:  If you cannot scan the QR code, please follow these instructions:

    1. Click "Get an activation link instead."
    2. Enter your email address.
    3. On your device, open the email and click the activation link to save your account.
    4. Return to the UNCW enrollment page and select "Continue."
  10. After successful enrollment, your UNCW account will appear in the Duo Mobile app on your device.

    An example indicating that a UNCW account has been set up through Duo Mobile App on the device.

 

Restoring Duo Mobile

 

I Switched Devices or Removed My Account
I Got a New Phone Number
Enabling Duo Mobile Restoire on iOS
Restore Duo Mobile on iOS
Enabling Duo Mobile Restoire on Android 
Restore Duo Mobile on Android


Switched Devices or Removed Account

 

*Please note: Use these instructions if any of the following apply:

  • You have a new phone.
  • You switched your device from Android to iOS.
  • You manually removed your UNCW account from the Duo Mobile app.
  1. Log in to the Duo Self-Service portal.

  2. Click "I have a new phone" under your registered device. 

    Duo self service portal showing the location of the I have a new phone link below the device you want to update.

  3. Follow the onscreen instructions. 

 


You Have A New Phone Number

 

  1. Log in to the Duo Self-Service portal.
     
  2. Select the "Add a device" button. 

    Add a device. button
     
  3. Select "Duo Mobile (Recommended)".
     
  4. Enter your new phone number.
     
  5. Select "Continue" 
     
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions, which are similar to “How Do I Set Up Duo Mobile on a Phone or Tablet?”, to complete the setup.

 

 

Add a Second Device

 

TECH TIP: It’s recommended to add a second device as a backup in case your primary device is unavailable.  

  1. Log in to the Duo Self-Service portal.
     
  2. Select the "Add a device" button and follow the on-screen instructions. 

    An arrow pointng to the "add a device" button within the Duo Self Service Portal

 

 

YubiKey Setup

 

*Please note: A YubiKey plugs into your USB port, and when tapped or when the button is pressed, it sends a signed response back to Duo to validate your login.

The following are required to use a YubiKey with Duo:

  • A supported browser (check for supported browsers)
  • An available USB port or an NFC capabilities when logging in using a mobile browser
  • Any YubiKey (Except YubiKey’s U2F-only key)

Faculty and staff, IT administrators, and students involved in research, teaching, work-study, or work-assistance may request a YubiKey.

  1. Log in to the Duo Self-Service portal.
     
  2. Select the "Add a device" button. 

    Add a device. button
     
  3. Select "Security key".

    Security key selected from the add a device option window in the duo self service portal.
     
  4. Click “OK” on the security pop up that prompts you to set up your security key for signing in with your username.

    Windows Security pop-up prompting user to set up their security key to sign in as their username.
     
  5. Select "OK" to continue the setup, allowing Duo to see the make and model of your security key. 

    Continue Setup security pop-up from duo mobile self service portal
     
  6. As prompted, please "Touch your security key."

    Security pop up asking to continue setup by touching your secuirty key.
     
  7. You have now successfully registered your Yubikey. 

    Added security key successful prompt from Duo

 

Access the Duo Self-Service Portal

 

  1. Log in to the Duo Self-Service portal.

 

Duo Push to Log in

 

Duo Verified Push (Six-Digit Code)

 

  1. Ensure you log in with the "Duo Push" option. If not, change your login option to "Duo push".
     
  2. After entering your UNCW username and password, you will be prompted to “Enter code in Duo Mobile.” A 6-digit code will appear on the screen.

    example of Duo push on a laptop showing a 6 digit code and the pompt you receive on your authentication device.
     
  3. Open Duo Mobile on your device, enter the 6-digit code, then select "Verify".

    example of Duo push on a laptop showing a 6 digit code and the matching 6 digit code in Duo mobile on authentication device.
     
  4. You are now logged in. 
     

 

Duo Traditional Push

 

*Please note: Very few UNCW applications still use Duo traditional push. If you are using an older version of Duo Mobile, you will receive a Duo Push request without the code entry field. If the login fails, you may see a message instructing you to update your software.

  1. Ensure you log in with the "Duo Push" option. If not, change your login option to "Duo push".
     
  2. After entering your UNCW username and password, you will be prompted to “Verify your identity" using the Duo Mobile App.

    Duo traditional Push showing the computer prompt asking the user to verify their identity.
     
  3. Open Duo Mobile on your device, and select "Approve". 

    Duo traditional Push showing the approve button on a device in the Duo Mobile App
     
  4. You are now logged in.

 

Log in Without Your Registered Device

 

*Please note: IIf you do not have access to any of your registered 2FA devices (for example, a lost or broken phone), you will need a temporary passcode. You can obtain one by following the instructions below. For future convenience, consider adding a second device, noting your Duo Mobile passcode, or using a YubiKey as a backup.

  1. Contact the Technology Assistance Center (TAC). You can find our location, hours, and contact details on the myTAC portal homepage.
     
  2. Identity verification with the TAC is required. You can do this in person or through a video call using Bomgar, Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
     
  3. After verification, the TAC will assign you a temporary passcode.
     
  4. Select “Bypass code” on the Duo prompt and enter the temporary passcode you received from TAC.

    Screen for Other options to log in that lists the other ways you could log in, "Bypass Code" is highlighted towards the bottom.
     

 

Duo Mobile Passcode to Log in

 

  1. Ensure you log in using the "Duo Mobile Passcode" option. If not, change your login option to "Duo Mobile Passcode".
     
  2. Navigate to the Duo Mobile App on your registered device.
     
  3. Select "Show" in the "Passcode" section.

    Select the "show" button to the right of your UNCW account in the Duo Mobile app.
     
  4. Type the code into the "Enter your passcode" prompt. 

    Enter your passcode duo prompt
     

 

YubiKey to Log in

 

  1. Duo will prompt you to touch your security.

    Use your security key log in prompt from Duo prompting user to touch their security key
     
  2. Touch the key when requested, and Duo will log you in to the UNCW Application.

 

Text Message Passcode to Log in

 

*Please note: The Duo text message passcode method will be discontinued in 2026. Please update your login option to an alternative method soon.

  1. Ensure you log in using the "Text message passcode" option. If not, change your login option to "Text message passcode".
     
  2. Duo will send a passcode to your phone via text message.
     
  3. Enter the code in the "Enter your passcode" prompt, then select "Verify".

    Enter your passcode duo prompt
     

 

Switching Your Login Method

 

  1. You can switch your login method by clicking the “Other options” link.

    Duo prompt highlighting "Other options" link at the bottom
     
  2. Select your preferred option from the list. 

    TECH TIP: The options you see will vary based on the devices you have registered in the Duo Self-Service portal.

  3. other options to log in with duo prompt, the options listed will vary depending on what devices the user has registered.

If you need further assistance, please submit a service request or CHAT with TAC.

Print Article