---
title: Authenticating with PingID using email
description: Get an email with a one-time passcode (OTP) that you can use to authenticate securely with PingID.
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_ug_auth_using_email_intro
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_ug_auth_using_email_intro.html
revdate: April 16, 2024
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  authenticating-using-email: Authenticating using email
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result
  authenticating-using-email-vpn: Authenticating using email (VPN)
  about-this-task-2: About this task
  steps-2: Steps
  result-3: Result:
  result-4: Result:
  authenticating-using-email-windows-login: Authenticating using email (Windows login)
  steps-3: Steps
  result-5: Result:
  result-6: Result
  authenticating-using-email-mac-login: Authenticating using email (Mac Login)
  before-you-begin-2: Before you begin
  steps-4: Steps
  result-7: Result:
  result-8: Result:
  result-9: Result
---

# Authenticating with PingID using email

Get an email with 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>)* that you can use to authenticate securely with PingID.

## Before you begin

* Pair your device with your account to enable authentication. For more information, see [Using email for authentication with PingID](pid_setting_up_email_intro.html).

## About this task

If your organization allows it, you can use a hardware token to access your account using a web browser, to access your company's VPN, or to access a Windows login or Mac login machine.

* Web

* VPN

* Windows login

* Mac login

## Authenticating using email

Authenticate for your account or app through your email.

### Steps

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

   #### Result:

   The **Authenticating** window appears. You receive an authentication passcode by email.

   ![A screen capture of the New Authentication Request from SSO email displaying a one-time passcode to authenticate with PingID.](_images/let1564021151933.png)

2. In the **Authentication** window, enter the passcode. Click **Sign On**.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window requesting the passcode from your Email.](_images/qth1634025412287.png)

   |   |                                                                    |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   |   | If you need to generate a new passcode, click **Resend Passcode**. |

### Result

The green **Authenticated** message appears with a check mark, indicating authentication is successful, and your access is approved.

![A screen capture of the green Authenticated message with a check mark.](_images/crl1564021153806.png)

## Authenticating using email (VPN)

After you set up email authentication for web, you receive 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>)* through email to use to authenticate to your VPN.

### About this task

Use your email to receive an OTP to authenticate to your VPN.

### 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 email.

   3. Click **Sign In**.

      #### Result:

      You receive an email with your OTP.

      ![A screen capture of the New Authentication Request from SSO email displaying a one-time passcode to authenticate with PingID.](_images/let1564021151933.png)

2. In the text entry field, enter the OTP from step 1. Click **Sign In**.

   #### Result:

   After your authentication is successful, you are signed on to your VPN.

## Authenticating using email (Windows login)

After you set up email authentication for Windows login, you can receive 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>)* through email to use to authenticate.

### Steps

1. Sign on to your Windows machine.

   ![A screen capture of a New Authentication Request from SSO window displaying a OTP.](_images/let1564021151933.png)

   #### Result:

   The **Authenticating** window appears. You receive an authentication passcode by email.

2. In the **Authentication** window, enter the passcode. Click **Sign On**.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window requesting you to enter the one-time passcode sent to your email.](_images/irn1564021153121.png)

   |   |                                                                    |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   |   | If you need to generate a new passcode, click **Resend Passcode**. |

### Result

The green **Authenticated** message appears with a check mark, indicating authentication is successful, and your access is approved. You are signed on to your Windows machine.

![A screen capture of the green Authenticated message with a check mark.](_images/crl1564021153806.png)![A screen capture of a Windows desktop home page after a successful sign-on.](_images/zoq1564021183904.png)

## Authenticating using email (Mac Login)

Use an email passcode to authenticate when you sign on to your Mac machine.

### Before you begin

Make sure:

* Your Apple Mac is running Mac OS 10.13 or later.

* You have [paired your email](pid_setting_up_email_authentication.html).

### Steps

1. Sign on to your Mac machine.

   #### Result:

   You'll see the **Authenticating** window and you'll receive a passcode by email.

   ![A screen capture showing an example of an email with a passcode.](_images/let1564021151933.png)

2. In the **Authenticating** window, enter the passcode and click **Sign On**.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window showing the passcode field.](_images/irn1564021153121.png)

   |   |                                                                    |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   |   | If you need to generate a new passcode, click **Resend Passcode**. |

   #### Result:

   You'll see the green check mark indicating authentication is successful.

   ![A screen capture showing the green Authenticated success window.](_images/crl1564021153806.png)

### Result

You're signed on to your Mac machine.

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