Login Methods: Phone Numbers and SIS Usernames
By default, parents and family members log in to the Edlio app using their email address. Schools can now also enable phone numbers and SIS usernames as alternative login methods — useful when families share an email address, don't have reliable email access, or prefer using their phone number.
📋 Before you start: Alternate login methods are configured at the district level. Contact Edlio Support to set up your desired configurations.
Available login methods
Email address — the default. Every user has an email on their profile.
Phone number — parents can use their mobile number as their username. Phone numbers are automatically normalized (formatting like dashes, spaces, and country codes are handled automatically).
SIS username — users can log in with the unique username assigned by your Student Information System. This is especially useful when multiple family members share an email address.
Primary and alternate usernames
Every user account has two username fields:
Primary username — typically the user's email address.
Alternate username — an optional second username, which can be a phone number or SIS username.
💡 Important: If a user's email address is not being used for login, the alternate username field must be explicitly set — either manually in their profile, or automatically via SIS sync. A user with no email and no alternate username cannot log in.
How phone number login works
The school enables phone number login at the district level.
A parent's phone number is added to their profile (manually by an admin, or synced from the SIS).
On the app login screen, the parent enters their phone number instead of an email address.
The system normalizes the phone number format automatically (e.g.,
+1 (555) 123-4567,555-123-4567, and5551234567all match).The parent enters their password and logs in.
Password resets via SMS
Users who log in with a phone number receive password reset links via SMS text message instead of email. The reset flow works the same way — the user receives a link, taps it, and sets a new password.
Admins can also send password resets from Manage People using the same Send Invite / Password Reset button — the system automatically sends via SMS to phone-number users and via email to email users.
Configuring alternate usernames via SIS sync
If your district syncs users from a SIS, alternate usernames can be populated automatically:
Per-SIS connection settings — control which SIS field maps to the alternate username (SIS Username or Phone).
FTP and API sync — alternate usernames sync through all integration paths.
Phone registration toggle — schools can enable or disable phone number registration at the district level.
📋 SIS sync configuration is set up by Edlio's Data Integration team. If you need to change which SIS field maps to the alternate username, open an Eddy ticket and the team will configure it for you.
When to use each login method
Scenario | Recommended login method |
Most families have unique email addresses | Email (default — no configuration needed) |
Multiple family members share one email | SIS username (each person gets a unique login) |
Families without reliable email access | Phone number (enables SMS password resets too) |
District requires SIS username consistency | SIS username |
Related articles
Manage People Overview — find and manage user profiles
Send / Reset Invitations — sending invites and password resets (email or SMS)
Adding Dashboard Accounts — manually creating accounts with alternate usernames