This article explains how to log in to Sparx using Single Sign-On (SSO) with Google or Microsoft accounts, and how to troubleshoot common SSO login issues.

Please see this article for guidance on setting up Single Sign-On:

Setting up single Sign-On (login with Google/Microsoft)

How Single Sign-On works

For students

Students can log in using their school Google or Microsoft account - no separate Sparx username/password is needed. For this to work correctly:

The student must already exist in Sparx (must appear in Student Manager)
The student's email address must already have been imported (visible on the student's profile in Student Manager)

For teachers

Teachers must verify their email address after their first SSO login - they will be sent a verification link by email (students do not need to complete this step - Sparx will never send any emails to student addresses)
The teacher must already exist in Sparx (must appear in Staff Manager)
The teacher's email address in Sparx must match the email address associated with their Google or Microsoft account (visible on the teacher's profile in Staff Manager)

How SSO affects your login screens

With both SSO and username/password login enabled for either teachers, students or both, your login screen will look like this:

With username/password login disabled, your login screen will look like this:

Common login problems and solutions

Email address mismatches

Your students may see the error message "We couldn't find a student account that matched your email address" when they attempt to log in:

If the email in the error message is incorrect:

This means the incorrect email address is stored in the student's SSO profile on your IT system - please check all fields in the student's SSO page to update the incorrect address.

If the email in the error message is correct:

Check that the email address in Student Manager matches the student's Google or Microsoft account in the school IT system
If it is incorrect in Sparx, you'll need to update the email address stored in the MIS

Authorisation issues

Contact your IT team if you see authorisation messages.

Microsoft users: Your school's Azure administrator needs to approve Sparx access
Google users: Your Google Workspace administrator needs to allow access

Sign in identity needs refreshing

Your students may see the error message "Your sign in identity needs refreshing. Please ask your teacher to use the "unlink" button on the student details page" when they attempt to log in:

This can be resolved by resetting the link between the student's Sparx profile and SSO profile using the "Unlink" button at the bottom of their Sparx user page

Frequently asked questions

Will enabling SSO create new accounts for existing students?

No - SSO simply provides another way to log in to existing Sparx accounts. All student data, including XP, homework history and levels, remains unchanged.

Can students still use their Sparx username and password?

By default, yes. However we highly recommend using only SSO to reduce the admin burden and blocker of password resets, and make the login process easier for students. In the School Settings, schools can choose to either allow both SSO and username/password login, or require SSO login only.

What happens if our school's SSO domain changes?

Just before a domain change, you'll need to:

Update the domain in School Settings
Ensure student email addresses are updated in the MIS, and a manual sync is completed
Check teacher email addresses in staff manager, match the new domain, and update manually if needed

Logging in with a Google/Microsoft account