MFA in Locations with Poor Cellular Service

Overview

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is required for faculty and staff when accessing M365 services, including email.  Some locations or buildings on campus have poor cellular reception.  Cellular coverage on campus varies by carrier.  Follow the instructions below for IIT's best practices regarding using MFA in locations with poor cellular coverage.

Known Locations with Poor Cellular Reception:

  • Arundel Mills Ground Floor (AMIL)
  • Cade Center for Fine Arts 1st Floor (CADE)
  • Careers Center 2nd Floor (CRSC)
  • Center for Applied Learning and Technologies 3rd Floor (CALT)
  • Dragun Science Building (DRGN)
  • Humanities Building (HUM)
  • Florestano Building (FLRS)
Solution / Instructions

Using Wi-Fi to assist cellular connectivity may improve your ability to complete the MFA process.  Complete the steps below to connect to AACC Wireless. 

  1. Connect your MFA device to Wi-Fi
  2. Turn on Wi-Fi calling (MFA phone call option only)

A. Connect your MFA device to Wi-Fi

  • Connect to AACC Wireless on your mobile device.  
  • Select Accept to get connected. 

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Android


B. Enable Wi-Fi Calling on your MFA Device

Wi-Fi calling allows you to use AACC Wireless (or another Wi-Fi connection) to receive and send voice calls on your cell phone.  Check with your carrier regarding fees and other details before enabling this feature. 

Enable Wi-Fi Calling - iOS Device

  1. Navigate to Settings and scroll down to Phone.

iPhone Settings

  1. Select Wi-Fi Calling under the Calls heading. 

iPhone Settings Wi-Fi Calling option.

  1. Tap the toggle to enable Wi-Fi Calling on This Phone

Enable Wi-Fi Calling enable toggle.

 

Enable Wi-Fi Calling - Android Device

Instructions for your Android device may vary slightly.  Check with your carrier regarding fees and other details before enabling this feature. 

  1. Navigate to the Phone App on your android device. 
  2. Tap the three dots to open phone Settings

  1. Select Calls, then tap the Wi-Fi calling option. 

  1. Tap the toggle to enable/disable Wi-Fi calling. 

 

Additional Support

Now that your MFA approval device is connected to Wi-Fi AND has Wi-Fi calling enabled, you should be able to successfully approve your sign-in even though cellular coverage is poor.

Still have questions?  Contact the Technical Service Desk or request the Service Offering for Help with MFA.   

Details

Article ID: 141432
Created
Fri 8/26/22 10:23 AM
Modified
Mon 9/25/23 11:26 AM
Audience
Target audience for article content.
Faculty
Staff

Related Articles (3)

Microsoft has enhanced the security of MFA with the Authenticator App by enabling "Number Matching." Using the Microsoft Authenticator App, enter a two digit number to approve your sign in.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is now required for faculty and staff to access Microsoft 365 services.  This includes Email, OneDrive, Teams, Office Suite, Forms, Bookings, and other Microsoft applications. The following instructions should be used by AACC employees to set up multifactor authentication that have not previously set up or used MFA.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is now required for faculty and staff to access Microsoft 365 services.  This includes Email, OneDrive, Teams, Office Suite, Forms, Bookings, and other Microsoft applications. After successfully setting up MFA, follow the instructions below to use MFA when signing in.

Related Services / Offerings (2)

Request assistance with setting up or using MFA. Please provide a phone number and a timeframe for a technician to call.
Report a problem or outage with MFA.