Change multifactor authentication (MFA) options for MyMassGov

MyMassGov uses multifactor authentication (MFA) to keep user information safe and secure. Learn how to change the MFA options for your account.

Follow these steps to log in to MyMassGov and change the MFA settings in your personal or business account. 

1. Log in to MyMassGov 
   • Need help logging in? This article can help.  
2. Once you're logged in, click on the down arrow next to your user profile icon. If you're accessing the app from a mobile device, select a service to log in to.    
3. Click on the Account Settings menu and select 'MFA methods'
4. Select Multi-Factor Authentication on the Account Settings page
   • Any MFA methods that are already set up have a green circle next to them
5. On the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Methods page, click on 'Update MFA Methods' 
6. You’ll be brought to a 'Change your MFA settings' screen to choose the MFA setting you’d like to change
   • SECONDARY PHONE (VOICE & TEXT MESSAGE) will only appear here if you already have a primary PHONE (VOICE & TEXT MESSAGE) option set up 

To change your authenticator app:

Update

1. Click on ‘Authenticator app’*
2. If you already have an authenticator app set up, you will see two options:

• Update authenticator app
• Remove authenticator app

3. Click on ‘Update authenticator app’
4. Open your authenticator app
5. You can either use your phone to scan the QR code shown on the the MyMassGov page OR type the account key and/or code see on the MyMassGov page into your authenticator app. Some apps require just the code, while others require both code and key. Make sure there are no spaces before the information if you type it in.  
6. After completing one of these steps, your authenticator app will give you a one-time code 
7. Enter that code in the box on the MyMassGov page
8. Click 'Continue'

See directions for setting up an authenticator app if you need help. 

9.  You'll see a confirmation page when your change has been successfully completed
10.  Click ‘Yes, I’d like to make more changes’ to change another MFA method or ‘No, I’m done’ if you’re finished

*Note: If an authenticator app has not been set up, you will be taken to a page to complete the process. 

Remove

1. Click on ‘Authenticator app’
2. If you already have an authenticator app set up, you will see two options:

• Update authenticator app
• Remove authenticator app

3. Click on ‘Remove authenticator app’
4. At the next screen, either confirm you would like to remove your authenticator app by clicking ‘Yes, remove this method’ or ‘No, keep this method’ to cancel out of the change process
5. You'll see a confirmation page when your change has been successfully completed
6. Click ‘Yes, I’d like to make more changes’ to change another MFA method or ‘No, I’m done’ if you are finished

To change your primary phone (voice and text):

Update

1. Click ‘Primary phone number (voice and text)*
2. If you have a Primary phone number (voice and text) set up, you will see two options:

• Update phone number
• Remove phone number

3. Click on ‘Update phone number’
4. At the next screen, enter the updated phone number you’d like to link to your account
5. Click either ‘Text’ or ‘Call Me’
6. Click 'SEND VERIFICATION CODE'
7. Enter the code you receive by text or phone call into the box on the MyMassGov page 
8. Click 'VERIFY'

Note: If you don’t receive a code or the code you got doesn’t work or expires, select ‘Get a new code’ and a new code will be sent to your phone. 

See directions for setting up Phone (voice and text) authentication if you need help.

9. You'll see a confirmation page when your change has been successfully completed
10. Click ‘Yes, I’d like to make more changes’ to change another MFA method or ‘No, I’m done’ if you are finished

*Note: If a Primary phone (voice and mail) has not been set up, you will be taken to a page to do so.

Remove

1. Click ‘Primary phone number (voice and text)*
2. If you have a Primary phone number (voice and text) set up, you will see two options:

• Update phone number
• Remove phone number

3. Click ‘Remove phone number’
4. At the next screen, either confirm you would like to remove your primary number by clicking ‘Yes, remove this method’ or ‘No, keep this method’ to cancel out of the change process
5. You'll see a confirmation page when your change has been successfully completed
6. Click on ‘Yes, I’d like to make more changes’ to change another MFA method or ‘No, I’m done’ if you are finished

Note: If you remove your primary phone number as a method and you have a secondary phone number set up, the secondary phone number will become the primary phone number.

To change your secondary phone (voice and mail):

1. Click ‘Secondary phone (voice and text)’*
2. Follow the same process as updating or removing Primary phone (voice and text)

*Note: A secondary phone number will only show if the primary phone number has already been set up as a method.