Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a common, extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your Writer account. Enabling multi-factor authentication means that Writer will ask for an additional code, in addition to your email and password, when authenticating. Writer enables you to send a verification code via email or SMS.

What's in this article:

• Setting up multi-factor authentication
• Logging in with multi-factor authentication
• Changing your password or phone number
• Troubleshooting

Setting up multi-factor authentication

Email verification

1. Click on your Settings menu.
2. Scroll down to the Multi-factor authentication (MFA) section. Toggle Enable MFA.
3. A popup will appear, asking you to verify your password. After verifying your password, you’ll see the toggle next to email is turned on:

SMS verification

1. Click on your Settings menu.
2. Scroll down to the Multi-factor authentication (MFA) section.
3. Click Add a phone number.

1. Enter your phone number and select Save.
2. You’ll be asked to verify your password again.
3. After verifying your password, you’ll receive a six digit code to your SMS number. Enter the SMS code to verify your phone number:

At this point, your phone number will be verified and SMS will be available to be enabled as a method of authentication—but you’re not quite finished yet!

1. Toggle the SMS option on.
2. You’ll be asked to verify your password.
3. Once you’ve verified your password, you will see SMS toggled on and enabled as an authentication source:

Logging in with multi-factor authentication

Begin by logging into Writer as normal:

Depending on your MFA configuration, you’ll either receive a confirmation code to your chosen SMS account:

Or you’ll receive a confirmation email to your associated email address:

Changing your email address or phone number

Updating your email address

To change your email, go to Profile, enter your new email address, and select Save.

You’ll be prompted to verify your password:

You’ll then be prompted to enter a code sent to your email address:

You’ll see a confirmation in the bottom right corner when your email address is updated:

Updating your phone number

To change your email, go to Profile, enter your new phone number, and select Save.

You’ll be prompted to verify your password:

You’ll then be prompted to enter a code sent to your phone:

You’ll see a confirmation in the bottom right corner when your phone number is updated for multi-factor authentication:

Troubleshooting

Why can't I enable multi-factor authentication in my Profile settings?

If your organization requires SAML single sign-on (SSO) to access Writer, any multi-factor authentication settings would be managed through your SAML identity provider (e.g., Okta, Ping, etc.) Contact your organization’s SAML administrator to ask about configuring MFA for Writer via your identity provider.