---
title: Authenticating with PingID using an authenticator app
description: You can authenticate using your authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to generate a passcode to use to authenticate with PingID.
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_ug_auth_using_authenticator_app_intro
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_ug_auth_using_authenticator_app_intro.html
revdate: April 16, 2024
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  authenticating-using-an-authenticator-app: Authenticating using an authenticator app
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  result-3: Result:
  authenticating-using-your-authenticator-app-vpn: Authenticating using your authenticator app (VPN)
  steps-2: Steps
  result-4: Result:
  authenticating-using-an-authenticator-app-mac-login: Authenticating using an authenticator app (Mac Login)
  before-you-begin-2: Before you begin
  steps-3: Steps
  result-5: Result:
  result-6: Result:
  result-7: Result:
---

# Authenticating with PingID using an authenticator app

You can authenticate using your authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to generate a passcode to use to authenticate with PingID.

## Before you begin

Pair your authenticator app with your account to enable authentication. For more information, see [Using an authenticator app for authentication with PingID](pid_ug_using_an_authenticator_app_for_auth.html).

## About this task

When using your authenticator app to get a passcode:

* If you have more than one account paired with your authenticator app, make sure you select the passcode that corresponds to the account you are trying to access.

* The passcode changes approximately every 30 seconds. When prompted to authenticate, enter the most recent passcode.

* You can only use a passcode one time.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | You must pair your authenticator app with your account to enable authentication. For more information, see [Setting up your authenticator app for PingID authentication](pid_ug_using_an_authenticator_app_for_auth.html). |

You can use an authenticator app to access your account using a web browser, to access your company's VPN, or to access a Mac login machine.

* Web

* VPN

* Mac login

## Authenticating using an authenticator app

Authenticate using your authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to generate a passcode to use to authenticate with PingID.

### Steps

1. Sign on to your account or access an application that requires authentication.

   ![A screen capture of the PingID Sign On window.](_images/kex1564021309920.png)

   #### Result:

   The **Authentication** window appears, prompting you to enter a passcode.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window requesting the passcode from your authenticator.](_images/keu1634023787767.png)

2. Launch your authenticator app.

   #### Result:

   The authenticator app displays a one-time passcode (OTP) *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
   \<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
   \</div>)* for your account.

   ![A screen capture of the Google Authenticator window displaying the passcode.](_images/jft1578843336693.png)

   |   |                                              |
   | - | -------------------------------------------- |
   |   | This example shows the Google Authenticator. |

3. In your browser, in the **Authentication** window, enter the passcode. Click **Sign On**.

   #### Result:

   A green check mark appears, indicating authentication is successful and your access is approved.

## Authenticating using your authenticator app (VPN)

Authenticate with your authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, to generate a passcode to use to authenticate with PingID.

### Steps

1. From your web browser or application, sign on to your VPN:

   1. Enter your username and password.

   2. For multiple devices only: a message displays showing a numbered list of all your devices. Enter the number for authentication app.

   3. Click **Sign In**.

2. Launch the authentication app. The authenticator app displays a OTP *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
   \<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
   \</div>)* for your account. ![A screen capture of the OTP on the Google Authenticator app.](_images/jft1578843336693.png)

   |   |                                              |
   | - | -------------------------------------------- |
   |   | This example shows the Google Authenticator. |

3. In the blank field, enter the OTP. Click **Sign In**.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | To sign on and authenticate in one step:1) On the sign-on page, in the **Password** field, when you sign on, add the OTP to the end of your password. The syntax requirements are as follows:

      * `<password><OTP>` (no spaces permitted)

      * `<password>,<OTP>` (use of spaces permitted when entering the OTP)

   2) Click **Sign In**. |

   #### Result:

   After successful authentication, your browser redirects you to your VPN.

## Authenticating using an authenticator app (Mac Login)

You can authenticate using your authenticator app, such as the Google Authenticator or the Microsoft Authenticator, to generate a passcode that you can use to authenticate with PingID.

### Before you begin

Make sure your Apple Mac is running Mac OS v10.13 or later.

### Steps

1. Sign on to your Mac machine.

   ![A screen capture of the Mac login page.](_images/arm1580988020886.png)

   #### Result:

   You'll see the **Authentication** window, prompting you to enter a passcode.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window showing the passcode field.](_images/rjy1574594912951.png)

2. Launch your authenticator app.

   #### Result:

   The authenticator app displays a one-time passcode for your account.

   ![A screen capture of the Google Authenticator app.](_images/jft1578843336693.png)

   |   |                                              |
   | - | -------------------------------------------- |
   |   | This example shows the Google Authenticator. |

3. Enter the passcode into the **Authentication** window, and then click **Sign On**.

   #### Result:

   You'll see the green check mark indicating authentication is successful and you are signed on to your machine.

   ![A screen capture of the Mac login desktop following successful sign-on.](_images/mac_login_successful_signon.png)
