Using an Authenticator app for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

When you log into the SmartMLS website (www.smartmls.com) and encounter the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security feature, you can choose to receive your verification code in one of three ways:

1. An email to the email address in your member record.
2. A text message to the mobile phone number in your member record.
3. One of the following Authenticator apps- Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or FreeOTP.

This article provides instructions for the third option- using an Authenticator app.

All three of the authenticator apps are available for free download from the App Store (for iPhones) and the Google Play Store (for Androids). This is what each of their icons looks like:

Microsoft:                              Google:                             FreeOTP:   

After you put a dot in front of Use your authenticator app and click Send Code, you'll see this screen:

Regardless of the authenticator app you're using, follow these 5 steps to complete the MFA process and access the SmartMLS. 

While each authenticator has its own individual look and feel, the process for scanning the QR code and retrieving your six digit one-time code is fairly consistent among them. 

The remainder of this article walks you through the process for each of the three authenticators.

Microsoft Authenticator     

1. Open your Microsoft Authenticator app and tap the  icon in the bottom right to scan the QR code:
    

   

    

   
   Your phone screen will look like this:

   

   
    

   Center the box on the QR code on your computer's screen and it should automatically scan it and generate your verification code.

   Don't be concerned if you see multiple accounts with codes in Authenticator- that just means you've previously used the app for other sites. Since you can use Authenticator for multiple websites, all accounts you've used it for will appear. 

   Each account has a unique identifier that allows you to know which code to use. For instance, the code you generated for SmartMLS will say connectmls and display your User ID directly underneath:

   

    

2. Enter the six digit code that is associated with connectMLS.

   Authenticator generates a new code every 30 seconds (there is a countdown clock right next to the code). If you don't enter a code before its 30 seconds elapses, a new code will immediately be generated.
    

3. Enter a name or some other means of identifying the device you're using (this is optional). This is helpful if you access the MLS from multiple devices (desktop/laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) or different locations.
    
4. Choose how long you want to go before having to enter a new code (30 days or 24 hours) on this specific device. It defaults to 30 days.
    
5. Click Verify and Remember Device.

You should be brought directly to the SmartMLS Member Dashboard, at which point you can access any of our products and services.

Note: there are two Try another method links on the screen that you can click if you would rather get your code via text or email instead of using an authenticator app.

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Google Authenticator     

1. Open your Google Authenticator app and tap the icon in the bottom right to scan the QR code:
    

   

    

   
   
   If you're given the option of entering a setup key or scanning a QR code, tap Scan a QR code:

   

    

    

   If Authenticator asks permission to access your camera, tap Allow.

    

   Your phone screen will look like this:

   

   
    

   Center the box on the QR code on your computer's screen and it should automatically scan it and generate your verification code.

   Don't be concerned if you see multiple codes in the app- that just means you've previously used the Google Authenticator for other sites. Since you can use your authenticator app for multiple websites, all accounts you've used it for will appear. 

   Each account has a unique identifier that allows you to know which code to use. For instance, the code you generate for SmartMLS will say connectmls and display your User ID to the right:

   

    

2. Enter the six digit code that is associated with connectMLS. The authenticator app generates a new code every 30 seconds (there is a countdown clock to the right of the code). If you don't enter a code before its 30 seconds elapses, a new code will immediately be generated.
    
3. Enter a device name or some other means of identifying the device you're using (this is optional). This is helpful if you access the MLS from multiple devices (desktop/laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) or locations.
    
4. Choose how long you want to go before having to enter a new code (30 days or 24 hours) on this specific device. It defaults to 30 days.
    
5. Click Verify and Remember Device.

You should be brought directly to the SmartMLS Member Dashboard, at which point you can access any of our products and services.

Note: there are two Try another method links on the screen that you can click if you would rather get your code via text or email instead of using an authenticator app.

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FreeOTP     

1. Open your FreeOTP app and tap the icon in the top right to scan the QR code:

   

   
    

   Your phone screen should look like this:

   

   
    

   Center the box on the QR code on your computer's screen. Once it scans the QR code, a new screen appears on your phone that prompts you to pair the new SmartMLS account with an icon:

   

    

   Although there are hundreds to choose from (including major companies like Amazon, UPS, etc.), there is not a specific icon for SmartMLS or connectMLS. You can choose any icon you'd like to help you identify your MLS account.

   After you choose your desired icon, tap Next in the upper right:

   

    

    

   You'll then see the following screen, which asks you if you'd like to require your phone to be unlocked before you can access the verification code:

   

    

    

   This is completely optional. If you want this extra layer of security, move the toggle switch to the right and tap Next (if you don't want to use this feature, just tap Next).

   The next screen will display the new account for SmartMLS:

   

    

    

   Don't be concerned if you see multiple codes in the app- that just means you've previously used FreeOTP for other sites. Since you can use your authenticator app for multiple websites, all accounts you've used it for will appear. 

   Each account has a unique identifier that allows you to know which code to use. For instance, the code you generate for SmartMLS will say connectmls and display your User ID directly underneath.

   Tap the icon to generate your verification code. If you enabled the extra layer of security from the previous step, you must unlock your phone before you'll see the code:

   

    

    

2. Enter the six digit code that is associated with connectMLS.
   The authenticator app generates a new code every 30 seconds. If you don't enter a code before its 30 seconds elapses, a new code will immediately be generated.
    
3. Enter a device name or some other means of identifying the device you're using (this is optional). This is helpful if you access the MLS from multiple devices (desktop/laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) or locations.
    
4. Choose how long you want to go before having to enter a new code (30 days or 24 hours) on this specific device. It defaults to 30 days.
    
5. Click Verify and Remember Device.

You should be brought directly to the SmartMLS Member Dashboard, at which point you can access any of our products and services.

Note: there are two Try another method links on the screen that you can click if you would rather get your code via text or email instead of using an authenticator app.