---
title: 'Tutorial: How to Set SAML for Specific Users and Groups'
canonical: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/tutorials/saml-users-groups/
product: Access Server Docs
description: Access Server provides granular access control, including the ability to authenticate with SAML for specific users and groups. Here's how to set it up.
---

# Tutorial: How to Set SAML for Specific Users and Groups

## Overview

You can allow specific users and groups to sign in through SAML without setting it as the default authentication method for all of your Access Server users. Before you can do this, you must first configure SAML. Once you’ve configured and enabled SAML, you will have the option to add users and groups and configure them to use the SAML authentication system.

## Prerequisites

- SAML is configured in the Admin Web UI with your IdP.
- You have users or groups added in the Admin Web UI.

## Set SAML auth method for users or groups

1. Sign in to your Admin Web UI.
2. Click **Authentication \> SAML** and ensure you have the information saved for your IdP. (Ensure you've correctly configured SAML with your IdP first.)
3. Enable SAML by clicking the toggle for **Enable SAML authentication**.
4. Select **Save Settings** and **Update Running Server**.
5. Assign it to users or groups:
   - For users: Click **User Management \> User Permissions**, click **More Settings**, and select **SAML** under **Auth method**.
   - For groups: Click **User Management \> Group Permissions**, click **More Settings**, and select **SAML** under **Auth method**.
6. Select **Save Settings** and **Update Running Server**.

> **Important**
>
> When adding SAML users to Access Server, remember to enter them in the same format that the IdP uses, which is typically in lowercase format only. This is the format used by SAML assertions.

---

Prev: [Tutorial: How to Assign SAML as the Default Authentication](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/tutorials/saml-default-auth.md)
Next: [Tutorial: Setting Up Forced Authentication (forceAuthn) for SAML Users](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/tutorials/forceauthn.md)
Index: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/llms.txt