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Canvas Security: Multi-Factor Authentication

  • Updated

Beginning June 15, 2026, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be required to access UCLA Extension Canvas.

Canvas Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Setup

 

If Canvas MFA Is Already Set Up

  1. Go to the Canvas login page.
  2. Enter your email address and password.
  3. Click on "Login".
  4. When prompted, complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) by entering your verification code from your preferred MFA method (SMS or authenticator app).
  5. After successful verification, you will be signed in to Canvas.

 

If Canvas MFA Is Not Yet Set Up

  1. Go to the Canvas login page.
  2. Enter your email address and password.
  3. Click on "Login".
  4. When prompted, begin the MFA setup process.
  5. Under Use SMS, enter your mobile phone number in the US Mobile Number field (See below if you do not have a U.S. mobile number.)
  6. Click Send.  A verification code will be sent to your mobile phone via text message. Note: Standard text messaging rates may apply.
  7. Enter the verification code in Canvas.
  8. Click Verify. MFA is now enabled for your account and will be required each time you log in.

 

Alternative Setup Option: Set Up Canvas MFA Using an Authenticator App

You can use an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator to set up MFA for your Canvas account. Important: The QR code option is available to all users and is required if you do not have a U.S. mobile phone number.

  1. Install your preferred authenticator app on your mobile device: Google Authenticator (Google Play, Apple Store); Microsoft Authenticator (Microsoft, Google Play, Apple Store)
  2. Go to the Canvas login page.
  3. Enter your email address and password.
  4. Click on "Login".
  5. When prompted to set up MFA, select the QR code option.
  6. Open your authenticator app.
  7. Add a new account and select the option to scan a QR code.
  8. Use your device's camera to scan the QR code displayed in Canvas.
  9. The authenticator app will generate a six-digit verification code.
  10. Enter the verification code in Canvas.
  11. Click Verify.
  12. MFA is now enabled for your account.

Sign In After Authenticator Setup

  1. Go to the Canvas login page.
  2. Enter your email address and password.
  3. Click on "Login".
  4. Open your authenticator app.
  5. Enter the current six-digit verification code displayed in the app when prompted.
  6. Complete the sign-in process.

Note: Verification codes refresh approximately every 30 seconds. If a code expires before you enter it, use the newly generated code displayed in the app.

For additional details, see How do I set up multi-factor authentication for my user account?

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