A technique controls launching of a client application on an electronic device. The technique involves, after the client application is installed on the electronic device, providing input from the electronic device to an adaptive authentication service of a remote authentication server. The technique further involves receiving a credential from the adaptive authentication service of the remote authentication server in response to a successful adaptive authentication result which is based on the input provided from the electronic device. The technique further involves invoking the client application with the credential on the electronic device to establish a trusted session between the client application and an application server. Such a technique is well suited for use by multi environment clients such as general purpose computers, tablets and smart phones.