Staff portal · Sign-in help

Set up your authenticator

An authenticator is an app on your phone that gives you a six-digit verification code. You enter this after your portal email address and password.

You only need to set it up once. After that, open the app whenever the portal asks for a code.

Before you start

Have your portal email address, password and phone ready. Setting up is easiest with the portal open on a computer or tablet and the authenticator on your phone.

Choose one option below. All choices are free. If you already use an authenticator, you can add CCIWBS to it alongside your existing accounts.

No smartphone? Contact Admin to request email verification. Admin needs to enable this for your account first. See Email verification below.

Android phones

Use the Google Play Store on your phone to install either app. The links below take you to the official listings.

Choice 1 · Google Authenticator

Get Google Authenticator for Android
Publisher: Google LLC.

Tap Install, then open the app.
Follow the welcome screens. A Google account is optional; you can choose Use without an account.
When the portal shows its setup QR code, tap + (or Add a code), then Scan a QR code.
Allow camera access and scan the portal's QR code.

Choice 2 · Microsoft Authenticator

Get Microsoft Authenticator for Android
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation.

Tap Install, then open the app and follow the welcome screens.
Tap + / Add account. On some versions this is in the menu.
Select Other account (Google, Facebook, etc.).
Allow camera access and scan the portal's QR code.

Then finish connecting your app to the portal.

iPhone / iOS

Use Apple's built-in Passwords app, or install Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store.

Choice 1 · Apple Passwords (built in)

On iOS 18 or later, the Passwords app can generate your portal codes.

Open Passwords and unlock it. Under All, find your saved forms.cciwbs.org.uk login. If needed, add it with your portal email address and password.
Display the portal's setup QR code on a computer or tablet. Scan it with your iPhone's Camera, tap the prompt and select the saved portal login.
Open that login in Passwords to find its six-digit verification code.
Enter that code on the portal and select Verify.

Only using your iPhone? In Safari, touch and hold the portal QR code and choose Add Verification in Passwords if offered. Select your saved portal login, then return to Safari to verify. Menu wording varies by iOS version.

Apple's verification-code instructions

Choice 2 · Google Authenticator

Get Google Authenticator for iPhone
Developer: Google.

Tap Get and confirm the download, then open the app.
Follow the welcome screens. You can use it with a Google account or choose Use without an account.
When the portal shows its setup QR code, tap + (or Add a code), then Scan a QR code.
Allow camera access and scan the portal's QR code.

Choice 3 · Microsoft Authenticator

Get Microsoft Authenticator for iPhone
Developer: Microsoft Corporation.

Tap Get and confirm the download, then open the app and follow the welcome screens.
Tap + / Add account.
Select Other account (Google, Facebook, etc.).
Allow camera access and scan the portal's QR code.

Then finish connecting your app to the portal.

Connect your app to CCIWBS

Open the portal sign-in page. Enter your email address and password, then select Log In.
If this is your first authenticator setup, the portal displays Set up your authenticator with a QR code. Leave that page open.
Use your chosen app's scanning option as described above. Scan the QR code on the portal screen.
Find the new CCIWBS entry in the app, or your forms.cciwbs.org.uk login in Apple Passwords. Check it matches your portal email address.
Return to the portal and enter the app's current six-digit code in Enter your six-digit code. Keep any zero at the beginning.
Click the green Verify button, or press Enter. This completes setup and signs you in.

Using only your phone? After installing your app, open the portal in your phone's browser. At the QR-code step, tap Open in your authenticator app and confirm adding the account if your app supports the link. Switch back to the same browser tab and enter the code. If the link does not open your app, use a computer or tablet to display the QR code and scan it with your phone.

Keep the QR code private. Admin will never need you to send them your QR code or verification code.

Signing in after setup

Enter your portal email address and password, then select Log In.
When asked for a code, open your authenticator app and find your CCIWBS entry, or open your forms.cciwbs.org.uk login in Apple Passwords.
Type the current six-digit code into the portal and click Verify or press Enter.

The code changes about every 30 seconds. If it is about to change, wait for the next one before typing. Once set up, your authenticator can generate codes without a mobile signal or internet connection; the portal itself still needs internet access.

You can choose Remember this browser for 14 days when using an authenticator on a private device over a secure connection. You will still need your password. Leave this unticked on shared computers.

Email verification without a smartphone

Contact Admin before you need to sign in, so they can enable email verification for your account.

Sign in with your email address and password.
Select Email me a code when it appears.
Check your sign-in email inbox and junk folder, then enter the code and select Verify.

Email codes expire after five minutes and can be used once. If you request another, use the newest email. Wait at least one minute before requesting another code. Remembering a browser is available with an authenticator, rather than email verification.

Need a hand?

My code is not accepted

Check you are using the CCIWBS entry for your portal email address. Enter all six digits without spaces, including any starting zero. Wait for a fresh code and try again. Check your phone's date and time are set automatically. If the sign-in screen has expired, sign in again with your email and password.

I cannot scan the QR code

Use the scanner inside your authenticator app and allow camera access. On one phone, try Open in your authenticator app. Otherwise display the QR code on another screen. Contact Admin if you still cannot complete setup.

I already have an authenticator, but no CCIWBS code

The app needs a separate CCIWBS entry. Codes for Microsoft 365, Google or other services will not work for this portal. Add the CCIWBS QR code during first setup. If the portal asks for a code without showing setup and you no longer have the CCIWBS entry, contact Admin.

I have changed or lost my phone

Contact Admin if your CCIWBS entry is unavailable on your new phone. If you still have the old phone, keep it and the working authenticator until you have confirmed you can sign in using the new phone.

I cannot remember my password

Use Click here to set or reset your password on the sign-in page. Your authenticator code is separate from your password.

I want to report another portal problem

Once signed in, choose Report problem/change from the menu. Include what you were doing and what you expected, then select Save report and keep the report number. For a problem preventing sign-in, contact Admin directly.

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