Restoring Okta Verify to the same device

Summary

Explains how to restore Okta Verify after a mobile device has been reset or wiped, erasing all apps and data. Covers the self-service path when other authentication factors are available and the assisted path when they are not.

Body

Issues

  • I reset my phone and now Okta Verify is gone — how do I get it back?
  • Can I restore Okta Verify on the same device after a factory reset?
  • My phone was wiped and I can no longer log in to Bowdoin services.
  • I reset my device and now I can't complete multi-factor authentication.
  • How do I re-enroll Okta Verify without contacting IT?

Environment

This article applies to all Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students whose mobile device was reset or wiped, removing Okta Verify and all associated account data. When a device is reset, Okta Verify must be re-enrolled — it cannot be automatically restored.

If you deleted the Okta Verify app but did not reset your device, see Setting Up Okta Verify if the App Has Been Deleted in the Related Articles section instead.

Resolution

Re-enrolling Okta Verify after a device reset requires signing in to the Okta portal using a different authentication factor. Whether you can complete this yourself depends on what other factors you have set up.

If you have another factor set up (self-service)

If you have previously enrolled any of the following, you can re-enroll Okta Verify on your own:

  • Touch ID or Face ID linked to your Okta account on a Mac or another device
  • Google Authenticator on your phone
  • A YubiKey hardware security token
  • Okta Verify on a second device (such as an iPad)
  1. Sign in to login.bowdoin.edu on a computer using one of your available factors to authenticate.
  2. Click your name in the upper-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Under Security Methods, find the Okta Verify entry and click Set up to re-enroll your device.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete enrollment. See Enrolling in Okta Verify for New Accounts in the Related Articles section if you need step-by-step guidance.

If you do not have another factor set up (contact IT)

If Okta Verify on your phone was your only authentication factor, you will need IT to reset your factor before you can re-enroll.

Important: Bowdoin IT cannot reset MFA factors by email or through chat. To protect your account, factor resets are only completed by phone or in person after verifying your identity.

Contact the Service Desk through one of these channels:

  • Phone: Call (207) 725-3030 during business hours. See Technology Support Options and Hours in the Related Articles section for current hours.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union.

Once IT resets your factor, follow the steps in Enrolling in Okta Verify for New Accounts in the Related Articles section to complete re-enrollment.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Details

Details

Article ID: 156251
Created
Thu 6/15/23 4:19 PM
Modified
Mon 5/4/26 9:34 AM

Related Articles

Related Articles (3)

Enrolling in Okta Verify for New Accounts
Step-by-step instructions for setting up Okta Verify on a mobile device when activating a new Bowdoin account for the first time. Covers downloading the app, logging in with temporary credentials, completing multi-factor authentication enrollment, and adding a recovery email address. Applies to all incoming faculty, staff, and students.
Set Up Okta Verify on a New Phone Without Access to Your Previous Device
How to regain access to your Bowdoin account after getting a new phone when you no longer have access to your old device and cannot complete Okta Verify multi-factor authentication. Covers contacting IT to reset your Okta factor and re-enrolling Okta Verify on the new device.
Setting up Okta Verify if app has been deleted
Explains what to do if you accidentally deleted the Okta Verify app from your mobile device. Covers the self-service re-enrollment path when other authentication factors are available and the assisted path when they are not.