Adding phone number to account

Question

I can't add a phone number to my account because I keep getting the message "This alias cannot be added to your account. Choose a different alias." How do I resolve this?

Answer 1

Hello Ray Maldonado, welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Have you checked the AI answer? To add to what the AI mentioned, here's a specific way to check if your phone number is already linked to another account:

Go to https://account.live.com/username/recover > enter your phone number > if it finds an account, that's where your number is registered. You'll need to remove it from that account first before adding it to your current one.

Also note that VOIP/virtual numbers (like Google Voice, Skype numbers, TextNow, etc.) are not supported by Microsoft - they must be real carrier phone numbers.

If the recovery tool shows your number isn't linked to any account, but you still get "This alias cannot be added" error, it's likely a backend glitch. In that case, you will need to use another number or contact Microsoft Support to examine why the number is blocked in their system.

Answer 2

If you are receiving the message "This alias cannot be added to your account. Choose a different alias," it could be due to several reasons. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

1. Check for Existing Aliases: Ensure that the phone number you are trying to add is not already associated with another Microsoft account.
2. Use a Different Phone Number: If the number is already in use, try adding a different phone number that is not linked to any other account.
3. Verify Account Settings: Go to the Microsoft account security page and review your security info to ensure everything is set up correctly.
4. Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, cached data can cause issues. Clear your browser's cache and cookies and try again.
5. Contact Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

These steps should help you troubleshoot the problem with adding a phone number to your account.