---
title: Using your PingID mobile app to authenticate
description: Use the PingID mobile app to authenticate when accessing your account or app from any device or browser. The actions you'll need to perform using PingID mobile app vary depending on the account security policies, and your device's capabilities:
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:main_auth_pid_mobile_app_authentication
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/main_auth_pid_mobile_app_authentication.html
revdate: August 5, 2025
section_ids:
  common-authentication-actions: Common authentication actions
  ApproveNotification: Approve with a tap, or your biometrics
  OTP: Enter a one-time passcode (OTP)
  NumberMatching: Match a number
  ManualAuthentication: Authenticate manually to access your VPN or when offline
  smartwatch: Use your smartwatch
---

# Using your PingID mobile app to authenticate

Use the PingID mobile app to authenticate when accessing your account or app from any device or browser. The actions you'll need to perform using PingID mobile app vary depending on the account security policies, and your device's capabilities:

* [Approve with a tap, or your biometrics](#ApproveNotification)

* [Enter a one-time passcode (OTP)](#OTP)

* [Match a number](#NumberMatching)

* [Authenticate manually to access your VPN or when offline](#ManualAuthentication)

* [Use your smartwatch](#smartwatch)

|   |                                                                                                                                                                               |
| - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | You'll need to pair PingID mobile app with your account before you can authenticate. Learn more in [Pairing PingID mobile app](../pid_mobile_app/ma_pair_pingid_landing.html) |

## Common authentication actions

When you sign into your account or app, look for the action that matches what you see on your device.

### Approve with a tap, or your biometrics

Open PingID mobile app and either approve the notification, or scan your biometrics (face ID or fingerprint).

!["A screen capture of the PingID mobile app requesting approval for you to authenticate by Face ID scan. It shows the Yes](../pid_mobile_app/_images/BiometricsScreens.png)

Learn more in:

* [Authenticating with your biometrics](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_biometrics_auth.html)

* [Approving a notification](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_approve_notification_auth.html)

### Enter a one-time passcode (OTP)

Get an OTP from PingID mobile app and use it to authenticate. This option is usually available for 2-step verification for third-party apps and sites, as a fallback method if you don't approve a notification in time, or when authenticating offline.

![A screen capture of the PingID mobile app One-Time Passcode window displaying the current one-time passcode with a blue, circular timer indicating how long it is until the passcode expires and a new one is presented.](../pid_mobile_app/_images/OTPScreens.png)

Learn more in [Getting an OTP from PingID mobile app](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_otp_auth.html).

### Match a number

If the authentication page (typically on your computer) displays a number, open PingID mobile app and select or enter the same number to complete authentication.

![PingID mobile app displaying a list of numbers and a message asking you to select the same number that is displayed on the authentication page. At the end of the list is the No, it's not me button that also allows you to report fraud.](../pid_mobile_app/_images/NumberMatchingScreens.png)

Learn more in [Authenticating using number matching](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_number_matching_auth.html).

### Authenticate manually to access your VPN or when offline

If you're signing on to an organization account to access your VPN, or to authenticate when you're offline, you can authenticate manually.

![Authenticating screen showing a request to authenticate manually, and the PingID mobile app displaying the Manual Authentication flow](../pid_mobile_app/_images/ManualAuthScreens.png)

Learn more in [Authenticating manually with PingID mobile app](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_manual_auth_main.html).

### Use your smartwatch

If your smartwatch is paired to your mobile device, you might be able to use it to approve a notification or match a number.

![Smart Watch showing the PingID mobile app notification, asking 'Are you trying to sign on to PingOne', and the Yes and No buttons.](../pid_mobile_app/_images/juz1698322646440.png)

Learn more in:

* [Authenticating with a smart watch](../pid_mobile_app/pid_authenticating_using_smart_watch.html).

* [Enabling and disabling passcodes on your Apple Watch](../pid_mobile_app/pid_mobile_app_enable_passcodes.html).

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | You don't need to launch the PingID mobile app each time you want to authenticate. As long as it is running in the background, a notification automatically appears on your screen or lock screen prompting you to authenticate. |