Okta First Time USER GUIDE

Use these instructions if you have not used Okta before for logging into Bay Cove applications.

Step 1: Register your account in Okta

REQUIREMENTS: You will need access to your Bay Cove email account and access to a phone of some kind to register.

  1. On a desktop, laptop or chromebook, go to the portal website at baycove.okta.com it will prompt you to sign in.

  2. Enter your Active Directory (network) username/login followed by @baycove.org (For example, csmith becomes csmith@baycove.org)

    • This is the same username you use for Google, Dayforce, Electronic Handbook, IS Service Desk, VPN, etc.

  3. Click Next.

  4. Enter your Bay Cove Active Directory (network) password.

    • Bay Cove staff: This should be the same as your Dayforce password in most cases. (The same as for Electronic Handbook, IS Service Desk, or VPN.)

    • Growthways staff: This is the same password you use for Electronic Handbook and IS Service Desk.

    • If you are prompted to change your password, the new password must be a minimum of 8 characters and must have at least one lower case letter, and one upper case letter, and one number.

  5. Click Verify.

  6. Okta will need to send a verification message to your Bay Cove email account. “Click Send me an email.”

  7. Go to your email account and open the message from Okta.

  8. Click the link to Sign Up.

Step 2: Configure Authentication Methods

Once you have successfully logged in, the system will prompt you to Set up security methods.

One method is mandatory. You will have the option to add others.


Set up Authentication by Phone. This is a mandatory option.

TIP: Use the number that you will have access to while at work. This could be your personal mobile device, desk phone, or program/site phone.

        1. Click Setup under the Phone option.

        2. Choose between SMS (Text) or Voice Call.
          This will be how Okta sends you one-time passwords to login.

        3. SMS
          Select the country of your phone number.
          Enter Phone number
          Click Receive a code via SMS.
          Okta will send you a text message with a verification code number.
          Type that verification code number into the Okta screen.
          Click Verify.

        4. Voice (Phone Call)
          Select the country of your phone number and enter the phone number.
          Click Receive a code via call
          Okta calls you with a verification code number.
          Type that verification code number into the Okta screen.
          Click Verify.

Set up Okta Verify (Optional, Recommended)

The Okta Verify app is the most convenient method for verifying your identity if you normally have your personal smartphone with you at all times when you work.

  1. On your smartphone, download the Okta Verify App from the Google Play for Android devices or from the Apple Store on iOS devices. Leave it as is for a moment.

  2. After you register your phone for the first time, on a computer or Chromebook go to the Okta dashboard portal (https://baycove.okta.com) and log in.

  3. Look in the upper right corner for your name and click.

  4. A menu will drop down. Look for Settings and click.

  5. Look in the lower right for a section named Security Methods.

  6. Look for Okta Verify and click Set up.

  7. (You may be promoted to enter your Okta password and verify by phone again.)

  8. Click Set up for Okta Verify.

  9. A QR code will appear. Leave that screen as is for a moment.

  10. Look back on your smartphone and open the Okta Verify app.

  11. Click the + icon in the top menu on iOS or bottom-right on Android.

  12. Choose Organization for the Account Type question (if available).

  13. Select the option to scan.

  14. Back on your computer or Chromebook, if you can still see the QR code on the screen, use the Okta Verify app on your smartphone to scan the QR code.

    Then follow the instructions in the app.

    NOTE: The app may prompt you about "Push Notifications" We recommend you select Allow for this option to make using the Okta Verify app easier.

If you install the Okta Verify app but can't scan the QR code

  1. Look at the computer or Chromebook screen showing the QR code. Click Can't Scan and then Text me a setup link.

  2. Enter your mobile phone number and select Send me the setup link.

  3. On your smartphone, open the text message from Okta and select the link in the message.

  4. A web browser will open on your smartphone.

  5. Follow the prompts to open Okta Verify. Follow the prompts for Get Started and continue. (If you are prompted for Face ID or biometrics, you can skip these features.) Continue to follow the prompts until the app shows you Account Added. Select Done.

Step 3: Log in to applications

Now that I have registered, how do I log in and access applications?

  1. Go to https://baycove.okta.com

  2. Log in.

  3. Follow the prompt to verify your identity using the phone or Okta Verify app or email.

  4. Okta will open the "dashboard" page showing you apps you can access using Single Sign-On.

  5. When you access some apps, you may be prompted to install the Okta Browser Plugin. This is required to access some apps. Please follow the instructions when prompted.