Duo: Add or Remove Devices

Duo Security is required for all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Minnesota. Duo Security multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection to your University of Minnesota account.

If you are enrolling in Duo for the first time, visit Enable Duo Security as a New User to get started.

We strongly recommend adding at least two different devices to your Duo Security account. By doing so, you will still be able to access your Duo account using your secondary device even if your primary Duo device is broken or inaccessible. Plan ahead by generating bypass codes and enrolling a backup device so that you can always access your University of Minnesota account.

In this article: 

Adding New Devices to Duo

Qualifying Devices

You can enroll the following types of devices:

  • Smartphones and tablets (preferred)
  • Landlines and other cellphones
  • Hardware tokens
  • Security keys
  • Touch ID (only for MacOS devices, requires Google Chrome)

We are unfortunately unable to enroll international (non-US) phone numbers to complete Duo authentication via the Phone call method.
If you have a smartphone tied to an international (non-US) phone number, you can still activate your device as a Tablet in order to receive Duo push notifications and generate Duo passcodes.

Add a New Duo Device

  1. Visit any UMN website that requires sign in, such as my-account.umn.edu. 
    Enter your your UMN internet ID and password, then click Sign In. 
    University of Minnesota Sign In page, including prompts to enter an Internet ID and Password. There is a Sign In button at the bottom left side of the window.
  2. Select Other options.
    Duo Sign In prompt. "Check for a Duo Push. Verify it's you by approving the notification." The blue link to Other options at the bottom of the prompt is highlighted.
  3. Select Manage devices. 
    Duo Sign In prompt, "Other options to log in". Several configured Duo devices are listed along with authentication options. At the bottom of the list, the Manage devices option is highlighted.
  4. When prompted to Verify your identity before managing devices, select an option to authenticate.
    • To enter one of your backup Duo Bypass codes generated via self-service OR a Bypass code provided by Technology Help staff, select the Bypass code option. 
      Duo Sign In Prompt, Manage Devices. "Verify your identity before managing devices." A list of devices and authentication options is listed, including phone calls to existing devices, Duo Push to existing devices, Duo Mobile passcode, and Bypass code from the IT help desk.
  5. Select Add a device. 
    Duo Device management page. The user profile lists 2 iPhones with different phone numbers and an iPad. The Add a device tile is highlighted.
  6. Select an option depending on what type of device you would like to add to Duo.
    • Select Duo Mobile to configure a smartphone or tablet with Duo. 
    • Select Security key to set up a security key.
    • Select Phone number to set up a landline telephone or cellphone to get Duo phone calls.
      Duo device management page, Select an option. "You'll use this to log in with Duo. You can add another option later." The options include Duo Mobile (recommended) to get a notification or code on your device, Security key to use a security key, or Phone number to get a phone call.  
  7. Follow the remaining prompts and enter the information requested to finish setting up your Duo device. 

Reactivate an Existing Device

If you are replacing a device that is already associated with your Duo Security account, activate your new device while you still are in possession of both the old and new devices. 

If you have recently acquired a new phone but are still using the same phone number, you can reactivate Duo Mobile on your new device. 

Refer to Duo's guide for Reactivating Duo Mobile for an Existing Device for step-by-step instructions. 

If you need assistance reactivating an existing Duo device, contact Technology Help. 

Requesting a Hardware Token

What is a Duo Hardware Token?

Duo hardware tokens are small fobs that generate Duo authentication passcodes. Each hardware token is tied to one user and generates passcodes that can ONLY be used by that user. 

Duo hardware token. It is an oblong black and white fob with a red power symbol on the left side and a loop for a keyring on the right side. A small screen displays a 6 digit number.

More information about Using Duo With a Hardware Token is available in the Duo Guide to Two-Factor Authentication.

Hardware Token FAQs

Who should get a Duo hardware token?

We recommend requesting a Duo hardware token only if you have a business need or if you cannot use Duo on other devices. 

If possible, enroll a smartphone or tablet instead. 

How much does a Duo hardware token cost?

Hardware tokens are available free of charge for use with your University of Minnesota account.

What if my Duo hardware token stops working? 

If your token breaks, request a new token and dispose of your broken one.  

How do I get a Duo hardware token? 

To request a Duo hardware token:

  1. Prepare a valid form of photo ID.
  2. Visit a Technology Help walk-in location or contact Technology Help by phone or video web conference.

International Requests

Rather than using a hardware token, we recommend that international students purchase a Security Key or use another authentication option. 

For more information, refer to Duo: Use Duo Internationally. 

To request a Duo hardware token from outside of the United States:

  1. Contact your departmental supervisor for their approval.
    • Your department will be responsible for mailing the hardware token to you internationally and any associated shipping costs. 
    • Technology Help is not able to ship Duo hardware tokens internationally.
  2. After receiving your supervisor's approval, prepare a valid form of photo ID and contact Technology Help.
  3. Once your request has been processed, the token will be sent to your departmental supervisor. Your department can then mail the hardware token to you. 

Removing Devices From Duo

You may need to remove a device from your Duo Security account for many different reasons. You may need to remove a device that:

  • has been replaced and is no longer in use
  • was added mistakenly
  • was lost or stolen

Removing devices from your Duo account will not remove the requirement to use Duo Security multi-factor authentication to log into your University of Minnesota account.

Lost or Stolen Duo Devices 

Remove LOST or STOLEN devices from your own University of Minnesota Duo Security account IMMEDIATELY. 

Prepare a valid form of photo ID and contact Technology Help if you need assistance removing a device.

If the lost or stolen device is University-managed, report it to Technology Help as soon as possible. 

Remove a Duo Device

  1. Visit any UMN website that requires sign in, such as my-account.umn.edu. 
    Enter your your UMN internet ID and password, then click Sign In. 
    University of Minnesota Sign In page, including prompts to enter an Internet ID and Password. There is a Sign In button at the bottom left side of the window.
  2. Select Other options.
    Duo Sign In prompt. "Check for a Duo Push. Verify it's you by approving the notification." The blue link to Other options at the bottom of the prompt is highlighted.
  3. Select Manage devices. 
    Duo Sign In prompt, "Other options to log in". Several configured Duo devices are listed along with authentication options. At the bottom of the list, the Manage devices option is highlighted.
  4. When prompted to Verify your identity before managing devices, select an option to authenticate.
    Duo Sign In Prompt, Manage Devices. "Verify your identity before managing devices." A list of devices and authentication options is listed, including phone calls to existing devices, Duo Push to existing devices, Duo Mobile passcode, and Bypass code from the IT help desk.
  5. After you verify your identity, the Duo device management page will open. Locate the device you wish to remove.
    Duo Device management page. The user profile lists 2 iPhones with different phone numbers and an iPad.
  6. In the upper-right corner of the tile for the device you wish to delete, select Edit, then Delete. 
    Duo Sign In Prompt, Manage Devices. The "Edit" button is selected and the "Delete" option is highlighted.

Dispose of a Duo Hardware Token

If you no longer use your Duo hardware token, if it is broken, or if you find a Duo token that is not your own, please recycle it responsibly. Learn about the University's Computer and Device Recycling and Donation options.

Additional Resources

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