> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.openiam.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.openiam.com/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in.md).

# Signing in

How to sign in to SelfService, and what to expect the first time.

You reach SelfService through a web address your organization gives you — usually something like `https://identity.yourcompany.com/selfservice`. Bookmark it; it is the same address every time.

## Signing in

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the address in your browser.**

You land on the sign-in page. This page belongs to OpenIAM, not to any single application — it is the front door for everything.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Enter your user name and password.**

Your user name is whatever your organization issued you. For many people it is the same name they use to sign in to their computer or email; for others it is an employee number or an email address. If you are not sure, see [If you forgot your user name](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in/forgot-username.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Complete the second step, if you are asked for one.**

Many organizations ask for more than a password. You might be asked for a code sent to you by email or text message, or to tap a security key. This is normal and is described in [Password and security](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/change-password.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**You arrive in SelfService.**

The sidebar down the left is your way around, and the **Dashboard** is your home page. Your own account settings live under your name in the top-right corner.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## The first time you sign in

The first sign-in often asks for a little setup. Depending on how your organization has configured things, you may be asked to:

* **Change your password.** If you were issued a temporary one, you will be asked to replace it immediately.
* **Set your security questions.** These let you reset your own password later without calling the help desk. See [Setting your security questions](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in/security-questions.md).
* **Accept an IT policy.** A document to read and agree to before you continue. See [Accepting the IT policy](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in/it-policy.md).
* **Register a device or security key.** See [Devices and privacy](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/my-devices.md).

Doing this setup once saves time later — particularly the security questions, which are what let you unlock yourself at 6 a.m. instead of waiting for someone to answer the phone.

## If you can't get in

| What's happening                                        | What to do                                                                                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You don't remember your password                        | [Reset it yourself](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in/forgot-password.md)                                                                  |
| You don't remember your user name                       | [Have it emailed to you](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/signing-in/forgot-username.md)                                                             |
| Your account says it is locked                          | Too many wrong attempts locks the account on purpose. Contact your help desk to unlock it                                                           |
| The page won't load at all                              | Check the address, then contact your help desk — this is not something you can fix from your side                                                   |
| You sign in, but an application says you have no access | You are signed in correctly; you simply haven't been granted that application. See [Requesting access](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/requests.md) |

{% hint style="info" %}
Sign-in pages can be branded by your organization, so yours may show your own logo and colours rather than the OpenIAM defaults. The steps are the same.
{% endhint %}

## Signing out

Use **Sign Out** in your account menu, top right. Closing the browser tab is not the same thing — on a shared computer, always sign out properly.

If you want to see where else you are currently signed in, and end those sessions, see [My sessions](/end-user-guide-for-selfservice/my-devices/my-sessions.md).


---

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