ATX requires an authenticator App on my phone and I don't have one

[Lion EA]

Probably what Judy said. I seem to be able to use BitWarden as my IT guy set it up/scanned the QR code for prior year software up through 2023. Perhaps I'll need to scan a new QR code when I download 2024 (which I didn't want to do yet until I was able to use this new authentication thing for the rest of my late 2023 returns). Or, 1 January 2025. Or,...

Glad I have my IT guy on retainer!

[jklcpa]

Mod note: 

So that this topic remains useful for the members using ATX, I have moved all of the posts specific to using an authenticator app with Drake software to a separate topic of its own in the Drake forum.

[DevM]

7 hours ago, BulldogTom said:

Wife and I both use the Admin login since we share the main computer.   We have an office cell phone that sits right next to the computer and does not leave the office, so I think I can make that work.   

The issue is the laptop.   We each take it occasionally.   We both use the admin password.   We have different personal cell phones.

And thanks for all the responses.   @jklcpa

Tom
Longview, TX

Create another user and setup MFA for each. That is what I have done for me and my wife. I think default is 3 users. If not there is room for one user besides Admin.

i used Microsoft authenticator. 
Setup is easy..

download MS authenticator.

click on + sign 

click other and scan QR code.

Devm

 

[Medlin Software, Dennis]

For these types of things, login, MFA, etc., I create a separate one, which I only know, but I keep stored in a manner where it could be used by others if something would make me unavailable. The second is also good to have in case something goes awry with the main. I check my backups a couple of times a year.

We all, maybe, think about what happens after us. For those who care or have obligations to be succeeded, this type of thing will be priceless for those who have to use it. It is no fun being left to clean up, and have no authority to do so, or no timely means.

[Tax Prep by Deb]

6 hours ago, BulldogTom said:

So, it turns out I already have MS Authenticator on my personal phone from a prior employer.   I guess I am going with that one.   Wish me luck.

Tom
Longview, TX

I use MS Authenticator and have zero issues with it.  I use it both on my desktop as well as my laptop using Drake with zero issues.  I have it set up for the Admin as well as my own personal log in.  Once you get use to it, it really isn't that difficulty just a bit annoying!

[BulldogTom]

2 hours ago, DevM said:

Create another user and setup MFA for each. That is what I have done for me and my wife. I think default is 3 users. If not there is room for one user besides Admin.

i used Microsoft authenticator. 
Setup is easy..

download MS authenticator.

click on + sign 

click other and scan QR code.

Devm

 

Done and in.   Not so bad.

Tom
Longview, TX

[BulldogTom]

21 hours ago, mcb39 said:

Are you saying that the Samsung Scanner app won't work, because it doesn't.  I just want to close my eyes and cry.  At my age, technology has suddenly left me sitting in the weeds.

@mcb39 Are you still struggling with this?   Do you need some help?   I got through it and it was not as bad as I thought.   

Let me know if you need help.

Tom
Longview, TX

[BulldogTom]

15 hours ago, DevM said:

Create another user and setup MFA for each. That is what I have done for me and my wife. I think default is 3 users. If not there is room for one user besides Admin.

i used Microsoft authenticator. 
Setup is easy..

download MS authenticator.

click on + sign 

click other and scan QR code.

Devm

 

@DevM Thank you so much.   That helped a lot.   Simple instructions work best.   Appreciate you.

Tom
Longview, TX

[mcb39]

Tom, we got it figured out with Google auth.  Works fine.  Problem:  We each have a copy of the program installed on two different computers.  We are each admin on one computer.  My authenticator code will not let me into her program, or her into mine.  I intend to do a third as well.  HELP!!!!

[jklcpa]

@mcb39 I think you can't access each other's admin account on the others computer because the mobile device is paired with that installation/machine.

@BulldogTom I'm curious if you've tried to load the new program on the laptop and access it using the same user/password/authenticator combo as you desktop.

[BulldogTom]

30 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

@BulldogTom I'm curious if you've tried to load the new program on the laptop and access it using the same user/password/authenticator combo as you desktop.

Not Yet.   I am considering how to create new logins so I have sat on the install because that is not a rush for us right now.  I don't think it will be a problem because I am using the office cell phone for the desktop and my personal cell for the laptop for my Admin login.   I will let you know how it works out after I load the program.

Tom
Longview, TX

[BulldogTom]

38 minutes ago, mcb39 said:

Tom, we got it figured out with Google auth.  Works fine.  Problem:  We each have a copy of the program installed on two different computers.  We are each admin on one computer.  My authenticator code will not let me into her program, or her into mine.  I intend to do a third as well.  HELP!!!!

@mcb39 See what Judy says above.  You will need to create a new login for the other machine with Admin Privileges for yourself.   Then you will be able to pair your phone to her machine.   You will login under the new user name.   She will have to do the same for your machine.

Tom
Longview, TX 

[BrewOne]

I decided before the deep dive to stop ignoring a failure of my computer to load the 24H2 update for Windows 11. Ended up spending five hours with support--Microsoft eventually decided to reinstall Windows 11 on my 'puter.  So glad it's not tax season--feeling better about going forward now, especially with the help here.  Thanks.

[BulldogTom]

13 hours ago, jklcpa said:

@BulldogTom I'm curious if you've tried to load the new program on the laptop and access it using the same user/password/authenticator combo as you desktop.

@jklcpa Did it this morning.  No issues.   Different cell phone than the desktop.  

Tom
Longview, TX

[Randall]

I downloaded my ATX software. I got the Microsoft Authenticator app on my phone.  Everything worked for the regular tax program.  But I can't get a code for the Payroll program.  My phone MS app shows ATX Desktop.  Is there a second authenticator program for the ATX Payroll program?  What a rigamarole.

[Abby Normal]

18 minutes ago, Randall said:

I downloaded my ATX software. I got the Microsoft Authenticator app on my phone.  Everything worked for the regular tax program.  But I can't get a code for the Payroll program.  My phone MS app shows ATX Desktop.  Is there a second authenticator program for the ATX Payroll program?  What a rigamarole.

I don't use ATX Payroll but since it's built into ATX, I don't see how you'd need another authenticator linked, but if you do, you could use the same authenticator, but as a separate sync up.

[mcb39]

38 minutes ago, Abby Normal said:

I don't use ATX Payroll but since it's built into ATX, I don't see how you'd need another authenticator linked, but if you do, you could use the same authenticator, but as a separate sync up.

No....I had the same issue.  On the page of your phone for the authenticator app, there is a plus sign in the lower right corner.  Press plus and it will allow you to scan the Payroll program and enter a second authenticator onto your phone the is designated Payroll 2024 on Desktop.  It was really easy and simple, but more fussing around.  Good luck.

[DevM]

1 hour ago, Randall said:

I downloaded my ATX software. I got the Microsoft Authenticator app on my phone.  Everything worked for the regular tax program.  But I can't get a code for the Payroll program.  My phone MS app shows ATX Desktop.  Is there a second authenticator program for the ATX Payroll program?  What a rigamarole.

Yes. There a a second Authenticator. you can add to the same Authenticator..

open MS Authenticator..

click + sign and add another account.

[Randall]

Thanks for the info.  I'll try it.

 

[Randall]

I can't seem to access the second QR code for the payroll program.  Is there a way to get back to the QR code without calling Support?

 

[jklcpa]

2 minutes ago, Randall said:

I can't seem to access the second QR code for the payroll program.  Is there a way to get back to the QR code without calling Support?

 

If you have already successfully set up one user, then in order to access the second QR box you would need to create a second user with a unique user name. That second user can use the same phone or a different one, but that phone would be paired with that machine.

 

[Abby Normal]

20 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

would be paired with that machine

My understanding is that the phone is paired with the user name and that it will work on any computer.

[Randall]

Ok, I finally called support.  Wasn't too long on hold.  The rep walked me through how to access the QR code again.  That's what I needed.  I only need one authenticator app on my phone but I needed two QR scans.  Now I have two separate codes for the two different programs.  So I can get into both programs now.  Hopefully once I do this a few times, it will be easy.  Ha.  Thanks for all the help.

[mcb39]

13 minutes ago, Abby Normal said:

My understanding is that the phone is paired with the user name and that it will work on any computer.

Nope!

[jklcpa]

56 minutes ago, Abby Normal said:

My understanding is that the phone is paired with the user name and that it will work on any computer.

That may be true when using the app to access websites, but I wonder if there is an additional security layer of device centric pairing built into the ATX software or some sort of syncing that would be necessary.  mcb39's experience seems to indicate that the former is the case. I don't have multiple computers any more to test on.