Register for Two-Step Login (Duo)


Overview


NEW Universal Prompt Login Experiences!  Effective March 26, 2024, Campus IT Services and Health Information Services will jointly upgrade to Duo's new Universal Prompt login experience. The upgrade will change the login visuals and process.

 

Follow these steps to get started and register devices to use with the two-step login.  To use two-step login, you'll need to register devices you'll have access to when logging in, including your cellphone and/or token at duo.ucsd.edu. This page discusses registering a device for the first time.  If you have already done that and want to add more devices, here are the instructions.

Using push notifications via the free Duo smartphone app results in the most seamless user experience during two-step login.

Critical Concepts


Steps to Take


Start Here: Register for Two-Step Account

  1. Visit the registration page (duo.ucsd.edu) and log in with your Active Directory account.
    • Your Active Directory login is usually email username before "@ucsd.edu" and email password.  If you don't remember your password, you can reset it at password.ucsd.edu.
  2. Select the type of device you are registering for two-step to find device specific instructions below:

Smartphone

You can find a video tutorial on how to register your smart app using the DUO Mobile App. 

These instructions will help you install and enable the Duo Mobile App on your smartphone so that you can start authenticating Duo Push. Duo Push will allow you to easily tap a notification you receive on your phone to log in. If you do not have a smartphone or would rather receive text messages on your smartphone, please follow the Cell Phone (Non-Smartphone) instructions provided below.

  1. After logging in, click Start Setup to get going.
  2. Select the Mobile phone option, then click Continue.
  3. Enter the cell phone's number.  Verify the phone number is correct and click the checkbox to confirm. Click Continue to proceed.
  4. Choose the type of phone you are registering, and click Continue.
  5. You will be prompted to install the Duo mobile app (if you haven't already).
  6. Follow the instructions on screen to install the Duo Mobile app on your phone. You will be looking for the green Duo Mobile app, pictured below.

    Screenshot: Duo Mobile app image

  7. Once you have installed, open the app and you will most likely want to allow Duo to send notifications to your device.  This will lead to the most seamless experience using the two-step login.  Otherwise, each time you log in you'll have to open the app to approve.
  8. Back on registration screen, click I have Duo Mobile installed.
  9. Follow the instructions to open your Duo app and scan the barcode that appears on screen (you may need to grant Duo Mobile permission to access your camera).  This is the key that ties your identity to your device! 
  10. Once activated, click Continue and you should be taken to the "My Settings & Devices" page where you should be able to see your newly added phone.  Here you can add additional devices or change your default two-step login settings. 

Cell Phone (Non-Smartphone)

If you do not have a smartphone or do not want to install the Duo Mobile App on your smartphone, you can register a cell phone to receive text messages with the two-step login:

  1. After logging in, click Start Setup to get going.
  2. Select Mobile phone and click Continue.
  3. Enter the cell phone's number.  Verify the phone number is correct and click the checkbox to confirm. Click Continue to proceed.
  4. For the phone type, select Other (and cell phones) and click Continue.
  5. Once the device has been added, you should be taken to the "My Settings & Devices" page where you should be able to see your newly added phone.  Here you can add additional devices or change your default two-step login settings. 

Tablet

Tablets, such as iPads and Android tablets, can be used for the two-step login via the Duo Mobile app. If you have a smartphone that does not have a phone number, you can also register this phone following these steps.

  1. After logging in, click Start Setup to get going.
  2. Select Tablet and click Continue.
  3. Select whether you are using an iOS or Android tablet and click Continue
  4. You will then need to install the Duo Mobile App on your tablet

    Screenshot: Duo Mobile app image

  5. Once you have installed the app, click on I have Duo Mobile installed
  6. Follow the instructions on screen to link your tablet to Duo
  7. You should then be taken to the "My Settings & Devices" page where you should see your new tablet added.

Hardware Token

Tokens are a small hardware device (pictured below) that generates passcodes on demand to use with the two-step login. Tokens may be useful to staff or faculty who are unable to use a phone during work or those who don't have a cell phone available.  Hardware tokens are available for pick- up at the ITS Service Desk or can be sent to your campus mailbox via the campus mail services.

Please keep two things in mind regarding tokens:

How to Request a Token:

  1. Register for a Duo two-step account: After logging in to the Duo Registration page (https://duo-registration.ucsd.edu), click Start Setup.  At this point, a Duo two-step account has been created for you and we can associate a hardware token to your account.
  2. Continue to register other devices so that you will have a backup option in case the token is ever misplaced or unavailable. 
  3. You may pick up a token at the ITS Service Desk or have a token delivered via campus mail services:  
    • Pick up: Visit the ITS Service Desk in the Applied Physics and Mathematics Building (AP&M) Room 1313 in Muir College during our front desk hours, open Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.  You will be required to show a valid photo ID (campus ID card or government issued) to receive a token.
    • Campus mail delivery:  Submit a ticket (or email servicedesk@ucsd.edu) from your UCSD account requesting a token for the two-step login.  Please provide us with your name, email address, department, and campus mail code.  You will be asked to set up a time to do a ID verification via Zoom. 
    • Off-campus personnel: If you work remotely and are unable to make arrangements to pick up a token on-campus, we can make arrangements to have it mailed or shipped to your location.  Submit a ticket (or email servicedesk@ucsd.edu) from your UCSD account requesting a token for the two-step login.  Please provide us with your name, email address, department, and shipping address.  You will be asked to set up a time to do a ID verification via Zoom. 

      Picture of hardware token

If you still have questions or need additional assistance, please submit a ticket or call the ITS Service Desk at (858) 246-4357