I cannot add a phone number to my existing microsoft account

Question

I cannot add a phone number to my existing microsoft account

Kodi Williams 0

I have been trying to fix a problem with lfg (looking for group) posts on my xbox for the past year now. I have tried many, MANY times all trying different things. Im on the brink of making an entirely new microsoft account just so i can make lfg posts. The main thing i have come across is adding a phone number, but heres the thing: THERE IS NO OPTION TO ADD A PHONE NUMBER ON MY ACCOUNT!!! ONLY A BUTTON TO ADD AN EMAIL!!! SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!!

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Alice-N 10,030 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Kodi Williams

I understand you’re having an issue with a Microsoft personal account (for home) where you can’t find any option to add a phone number, and this is blocking you from creating Kodi Williams’s Xbox LFG posts. I’m happy to help.

Please confirm which page you’re on when you only see Add email:

Security / verification methods (Security info / verification codes), or
Account aliases / sign-in options (“How you sign in” page)
If you see an error message when attempting to add the number, what is it?

Meanwhile, please try:

If you were trying to add a phone for “security info / verification codes”

Use a supported verification method instead (email, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey) from the Security page. You can no longer add a phone number as a new verification method for personal accounts. Then retry creating the LFG post.

If you specifically need the phone number attached to the account (alias / “how you sign in”)

A phone number can be added as an account alias (a sign-in name) on the How you sign in page (and VoIP numbers can’t be used). If the phone option is missing there too, use How to add an email address or phone number to your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support and Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support

If the “Add phone number” option appears but fails with “already taken / already used”

A phone number can only be associated with one Microsoft account. If it’s already linked elsewhere, you’ll need to remove/transfer it (if you own both accounts) or use a different mobile number. See: Help with reusing phone numbers in a Microsoft account - Microsoft Support

If you are blocked at the verification-code step (no codes arriving)

Codes can be delayed/blocked due to unusual activity, too many requests, regional limitations, or unsupported numbers. Avoid repeated requests and use another verification method if available. See: Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues - Microsoft Support

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!

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Alice-N 10,030 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-20T04:31:13.2+00:00

Hi Kodi Williams

I hope you are doing well! I just want to check if you have had a chance to check my reply earlier? Please let me know when you have time.

Have a lovely day!
Kodi Williams 0 Reputation points

2026-05-20T05:49:50.6233333+00:00

Hello, @Alice-N . To answer your question, i was on the "how you sign in" page.
Alice-N 10,030 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-21T04:11:12.23+00:00
Thanks for confirming, Kodi Williams

On the How you sign in page, you should normally see Add email and Add phone number.

Please try:

Open the aliases page in a private/incognito browser window and sign in again, then check if Add phone number appears.

If you’re trying to add a phone for security verification, you can’t add a phone number as a new security method for personal accounts—use an authenticator app/passkey/email there instead.

If you do get the phone option later, make sure it’s a mobile (non‑VoIP) number, since VoIP numbers aren’t supported for this.

If the button still doesn’t show after an incognito try, please reply with what you see under How you sign in. Thank you!
Kodi Williams 0 Reputation points

2026-05-21T06:15:15.14+00:00

It just shows up with the same thing as with a normal tab, just the add email button and not the add phone number button.
Alice-N 10,030 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-22T00:43:46.8666667+00:00
Please note that this is a user-to-user community. As moderators, I have limited access to internal development details. My role is to direct users to the appropriate support channels and resources. While I cannot provide backend analysis, I will do my best to assist you within my responsibilities.

Hi Kodi Williams

Thanks for confirming. Since you still only see Add email, at this point, set up a different verification method (extra email, passkey, or Microsoft Authenticator) and then retry Xbox LFG after your account has an additional sign‑in/verification method on file.

If you still specifically need a phone number as an alias, and the add phone number button never appears, please kindly contact support immediately via:

Visit Contact - Microsoft Support (Only chat support is available for personal account)

Type a brief description of your issue in the search box

Scroll down to the bottom > select Sign in to contact support

Log in to your personal Microsoft account.

Under Products & Services, select "Other Products"; Under Categories, select a suitable Category.

Click "Chat with a support agent in your web browser" (during business hours)

Note: when the phone option does appear later, it must be a real mobile number (VoIP isn’t supported), and a phone number can only be linked to one Microsoft account at a time.

Answer 2

To add a phone number to a Microsoft account, the account’s sign-in and security info must be managed from the Microsoft account “Your info” / “How you sign in” pages. If only an email option is visible, manage aliases directly from the account site instead of from Xbox or Outlook.

Use this path to add or change a phone number alias:

Go to the Microsoft account “Your info” / sign-in management page: https://account.live.com/names/manage.
Sign in with the same Microsoft account used on Xbox.
Under Your info, choose:
- Add phone number (if visible), or
- Add email / Add phone number from the aliases section.
Follow the prompts to add the phone number as an alias.

If Add phone number is not available:

Use Add email to ensure at least one working alias is present.
Then go to the Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account page via the same link (https://account.live.com/names/manage) and look for options to Add phone number or Add security info.
Note that:
- VOIP numbers cannot be added as sign-in or verification methods.
- An organization-managed account may restrict adding certain phone numbers or addresses.

If sign-in or alias changes are blocked or the phone option never appears, use the guided support tool for account sign-in and alias issues, which is linked from the alias management documentation.

References:

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I cannot add a phone number to my existing microsoft account

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