A free program from Microsoft that provides developers with the tools, resources, and sandbox environments needed to build solutions for Microsoft 365.
Hi Oliver Woodhouse,
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum!
Have a good day and I hope you're doing well!
I completely understand how frustrating it is to be stuck in this "sign-up loop," especially when you know exactly which account is linked to your tenant. I have encountered several similar cases recently, and I’d like to share the most practical workaround based on my research and experience.
Currently, the system is flagging your number because the backend still retains the association with your expired profile/tenant. Even if you were able to access the profile page (https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile) to initiate a "Delete Profile" request, the system often requires 60 days or more to fully wipe the data and release your phone number.
To bypass this loop immediately without waiting months, the most effective solution is to use a completely new mobile number (one that has never been used for an M365 Developer account) during the verification step. This usually forces the system to let you proceed.
Before you proceed, I want to share some critical updates regarding the program so you don't face another roadblock after fixing the phone issue.
Microsoft has updated the eligibility requirements for the Developer Program. Currently, the program is focused on users who have an active Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise subscription.
- If you do not have one of these subscriptions: You may not be eligible to provision a new developer sandbox at this time, even if you pass the phone verification.
- If you do have a subscription: Please ensure you are signing in with the email associated with your Visual Studio ID.
These requirements are detailed in the Microsoft 365 Developer Program FAQ. In particular, I recommend reviewing the following two key topics:
I hope these insights save you some time and clarify the situation. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let me know.
Best regards.
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