How to Bulk Configure Authentication Methods for Microsoft 365 Users
Question details
Microsoft 365 administrators need to assign, register, or enforce additional authentication methods in bulk for current and future users.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Administrators attempting to streamline or automate the setup of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods for multiple users across an organization.
- Observed behavior
- Administrators face limitations in silently registering personal authentication methods or forcing complete method setups without user interaction.
Ensure you have Global Administrator or Authentication Policy Administrator privileges in your Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) tenant before modifying authentication policies.
Configure Entra ID Authentication Method Policies and Registration Campaigns
Since admins cannot silently configure personal MFA methods for users, the best practice is to enforce policies and run registration campaigns that prompt users to set them up.
Microsoft 365 does not allow administrators to silently bypass user interaction for setting up personal authentication methods like SMS or Authenticator apps. Instead, you must use Entra ID to mandate setup upon their next login.
Log in to the Microsoft Entra admin center with your administrator credentials.
Go to Protection > Authentication methods > Policies in the left-hand navigation pane.
Select the authentication methods (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator) you want to enable, assign them to specific users or groups, and click Save.
Under Authentication methods, navigate to Registration campaign. Enable the campaign to nudge users to set up the selected authentication method during their next sign-in.
Consult the Microsoft Q&A Community for Automation Scripts
For advanced automation involving PowerShell and Microsoft Graph API capabilities regarding MFA, consult Microsoft's specialized forums.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an admin set up the Microsoft Authenticator app for users without their involvement?
No, administrators cannot silently register the Microsoft Authenticator app for users. The setup process intrinsically requires the user to scan a QR code and bind the application to their physical device.
How do I force users to register for MFA in Microsoft 365?
You can force MFA registration by configuring Conditional Access policies that require MFA, or by setting up an Authentication methods registration campaign in the Microsoft Entra admin center that prompts users upon sign-in.
Can I use PowerShell to bulk update user authentication phone numbers?
Yes, administrators with the appropriate permissions can use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK to update users' authentication phone numbers in bulk, though personal devices must still be accessible to the users for verification.
What happens if a user ignores the MFA registration campaign?
If you configure the registration campaign to allow snoozing, users can bypass the prompt for a set number of days. Once the snooze period expires, registration becomes mandatory before they can access their Microsoft 365 applications.
