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Tip 1 - Getting Connected

Getting Connected

Get access to all the Trinity services you need for your course.

The following page will give you an overview of the following items:

Your Trinity IT username and password
Connecting to the Trinity Wi-Fi using the TCDconnect service
Connecting away from campus using your home broadband or your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot

IT username and password

Your IT username and password are the vital keys to many essential services in Trinity College Dublin.

Some of the services they give you access to include; the Trinity Wi-Fi network, student email, the virtual learning environment, on-campus computers, as well as a host of other services.

How do I get my IT username and password?

To get your IT username and password, you first need to log into my.tcd.ie and start your online registration in the 'Register' section.

To log into my.tcd.ie for the first time, you will need the temporary username and password that was sent to the e-mail address you gave during the College application process.

During online registration, details of your IT username and password will be in the intray messages in my.tcd.ie with the subject name: 'Your Trinity Computer Account'. If you cannot see this message, please click the ‘All Messages’ link which will refresh the intray.

Please note that your initial password must be set to a new one within 14 days of your first login to a computer in Trinity. Details of how to change your initial password will be outlined in the intray message.

Log into my.tcd.ie to start your registration

Username and Password FAQs

Setting your first password using Trinity MyPassword

MyPassword is a web-based service that new Trinity students can use to set their first password. After you register successfully at my.tcd.ie, you will receive a message in your Intray with your username and initial password.

Once you receive these details, visit Trinity MyPassword and click the 'New Students - set password' link to set your first password.

Trinity MyPassword (mypassword.tcd.ie)

Setting up Two Step Sign-In on your account

Two Step Sign-In provides added security to your account, ensuring that it cannot be used without your knowledge. With TSSI, you will be prompted to confirm your identity by a separate method - typically through a code provided by text message to your mobile phone or via the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Two Step Sign-In (TSSI) is required for all students who are accessing services such as the student email (MyZone), Microsoft 365, and the virtual learning environment Blackboard.

Instructions for setting up Two Step Sign-In

How to change your password

The Microsoft 365 self-service password reset tool allows you to change your password if you know it, reset your password if you have forgotten it, or unlock your account. This tool is available via office.tcd.ie.

More about Self-Service Password Reset

Please remember to never give your login details to anyone else. You're responsible for any actions carried out under your login and you should familiarise yourself with the Trinity IT code of conduct.

Connecting to Trinity Wi-Fi on campus or in residences

The TCDconnect service allows students to connect their computer, mobile phone, or tablet to the Trinity Wi-Fi network to get fast secure internet access.

View the video below for instructions on how to connect to the Trinity Wi-Fi on campus or in residences. The instructions are also outlined below the video.

What you need to get connected

IT username and password

You must be a Trinity student with a valid IT username and password.

Valid operating system on your device

You can connect via a computer, mobile phone, or tablet provided they have one of the following operating systems:

Minimum RAM and hard disk space

Your laptop or computer must have the minimum of 2GB of RAM on Windows and 4GB of RAM on a Mac.

On Windows and Mac you should have the minimum hard disk size of 64GB with 20GB free space for carrying out major operating system version updates.

Security features enabled

Mobile phone users should have a passcode or a pin lock set on their device.

Connection steps

To complete the connection steps fully, you must be either on-campus or in a Trinity residence.

If you are off-campus, and you are trying to connect a Windows or macOS computer, it is still possible to complete most of the steps via the TCDconnect off-campus (remote) registration website.

Using the TCDconnect remote registration can save you time as once you arrive on campus or in a Trinity residence, all you will need to do is connect to the 'TCDwifi' Wi-Fi connection.

Completing the steps from on-campus or in a Trinity residence

The steps needed will differ depending on your device's operating system. Click on the relevant link below for more information about connecting via each operating system.

Completing the steps from off-campus

Once you visit the TCDconnect off-campus (remote) registration website, the steps are as follows:

Agree to the 'Terms and Conditions'
Click on the 'Users who have a Trinity network account' button
Enter your College username (without @tcd.ie) and password
Click 'Download'
By clicking 'Download', a file called a 'Dissolvable Agent' will be downloaded to your device. Once the file has downloaded*, run it and a scan will start to determine if your operating system is compatible with the TCDconnect service.
Upon completion of the scan, and provided your device meets the minimum requirements, the process will be finished.
Once on-campus or in a Trinity residence, search for and connect to the 'TCDwifi' Wi-Fi connection to finish the process. The steps to connect to 'TCDwifi' will differ depending on your device's operating system. Please see TCDconnect how-to guides for details.

* For macOS, if you are not prompted to download the 'Dissolvable Agent' after tapping 'Download', then close the window, open a new web browser and go to the TCDconnect off-campus (remote) registration website to try again.

TCDconnect - Getting Help

For further assistance with the TCDconnect service please see the TCDconnect FAQ page. If you need further help please contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@tcd.ie.

More about the TCDconnect service

Re-registering your device

If you don't connect to the Trinity network for 75 days, then you will need to re-register your device.

Connecting at home

Keeping connected at home will require you to have an internet connection. The two most common options would be to use your home broadband or your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Having trouble connecting to your home broadband?

If you are having trouble connecting to your broadband, try these simple fixes first:

Check that any cables or wires are not disconnected from the broadband box
Reset your connection by 'turning the broadband box off and on again' – be sure to unplug the electrical plug, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in again
Check your service providers status pages to see if there are any reported outages. If so, your connection should come back on it's own once they resolve any issues they are having

Using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot

If you don't have access to a broadband connection, you could also use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. It's useful to keep the following in mind when considering this option:

Wi-Fi hotspots use the data bundle of your mobile phone plan - so if you don't have an unlimited data plan it could use up all your credit
Protect your hotspot with a password so that others cannot use your data
Wi-Fi hotspots use a lot of power so your phone’s battery can run down quickly; keep your phone plugged in while using it as a hotspot
You may be able to have multiple devices connected to your hotspot, but remember the more devices that are connected to your hotspot, the faster your data allowance will go and the slower your connection may become

For information about how to configure your smartphone for a Wi-Fi hotspot, please see the below link.

Instructions for using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot