Two-Factor Authentication Help
Beginning 8/15/2024, two-factor authentication will be required to log into the Bar Application portal.
Preparatory Steps
You will need one of three authenticator apps. Note that all are free apps:
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Duo Mobile authenticator
All three are available in both the Apple app store and Google Play (the Android app store).
IMPORTANT: When searching for any of these apps, double check that you are installing the correct app. Sometimes, other, similar apps will appear in search results above the correct app. Double check the app name and check that the publisher is Google for Google Authenticator, Microsoft Corporation for Microsoft Authenticator, or Duo Security LLC for the Duo Mobile authenticator.
To maximize security and sidestep problems, before setting up two-factor authentication, please:
- Update computer — Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, etc.
- Update browser
- Restart computer
- Update mobile (operating system — Android, iOS, iPadOS, etc.)
- If you already have one of the authenticator apps but installed it some time ago, update that app
- Restart mobile
Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication
Once you have chosen your authentication app, log into the Bar Application portal. You will land on a Setup 2FA page with Setup links for each of these three authentication apps. You should only need to complete this setup step once and you only need to set up one of the three authenticator apps.
Click the appropriate Setup link for Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Duo Mobile authenticator and then follow the steps. The screen shots shown below are for Google Authenticator. However, the setup steps for all of the apps are nearly identical. (The Duo Mobile authenticator has a few additional optional steps for added features that you can skip or explore.)
On the first page will be both an alphanumeric code labeled Secret and a QR code.
Launch your chosen authenticator app on your mobile device.
Either manually enter the Secret code from the Setup 2FA screen into the authenticator app on your mobile or use your mobile to capture the QR code. (Many users have had better luck manually entering the Secret code into the app.)
The authenticator app will then generate a code. Manually enter that code back into the Setup 2FA screen. Then click the Verify button.
Using an Authenticator App
Once setup is complete, you will use the authenticator app in conjunction with your existing username and password to access the Bar Application portal:
- Log into the portal using your username and password as normal. You will land on a Verify that it's you screen with an input field for a code.
- Input the code generated by the authenticator app, then click the Validate button. If it matches, you will be logged into the portal.
Troubleshooting
If you are still having trouble accessing the Bar Application portal, please try the following:
- Be sure that you are attempting to log into the correct web portal at barapp.michbar.org, not one of the State Bar's other web portals.
- If you have tried setting up one of the authentication apps and had trouble, please try a different authenticator app.
- If you have tried setting up an authenticator app using the QR code and encountered trouble, instead try manually inputting the Secret code from the SetUp 2FA screen into the authenticator app.
- If you had two-factor authentication set up and working but then encounter problems, you can use the following steps to go through setup again. This can happen if, for example, you get a new mobile or accidentally delete the authenticator app and need to re-install it, etc.: