adding my phone number

Question

for some reason i cant add my phone number i when i do it send me the texr code i enter it correctly then it tells me i cant use this allias i dont kow why its doing that i cant even reedemm my reward with out adding a phone number to my accont so i am stuck pplz help

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John!

That message usually means the phone number you’re trying to add is already linked to another Microsoft account, or there’s a temporary issue with adding it as an alias.

If you haven't already, you can try using a different phone number, or clear your browser’s cache and cookies and then try again.

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If you haven't tried this, please follow these steps:

• On your mobile device where the SIM phone number is inserted visit this link on mobile browser: https://account.live.com/names/Manage
• Click "Add phone number".
• Verify country code.
• Type your mobile number without space and without zero (0) at the beginning, and without these special characters: ( ) [ ] . - * /".
• Then confirm the password.

After that go back to redeem page: https://rewards.bing.com/redeem/

Attempt to redeem the reward again.

If issue still persists, please use another phone number you own or trust.

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Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Answer 2

The error occurs because the phone number is already associated with a different Microsoft account or has reached a usage limit, so it cannot be added again as an alias on this account.

Use these steps to resolve it:

1. Check if the number is already a Microsoft account
   • When the message says the phone number is already a Microsoft account, choose Sign in (not create) and use that phone number to sign in.
   • If that other account is yours and you want the number on this account instead, choose Sign up or Transfer number (if shown) and follow the prompts to move it from the old account to the new one.
2. If you see “phone number is already used to sign in”
   • This means the number is already an alias on another Microsoft account.
   • If that account is yours and you are fine using it, select Continue and sign in with that account.
   • If you want the number on your current account, select Transfer number and complete the steps.
   • If Transfer number does not appear, the number was recently used on another account. Select Change number and either:
     • Use a different mobile number, or
     • Wait 30 days and try again to see if Transfer number becomes available.
3. For Microsoft Rewards redemption
   • Microsoft Rewards has limits on how many accounts can use the same phone number (maximum of 6 per household) and does not allow VoIP numbers.
   • If the number is already used on multiple Rewards accounts or is a VoIP number, Rewards redemption will be blocked until a different mobile or landline number is provided.
4. General verification-code issues
   • Avoid requesting too many codes repeatedly; this can cause a temporary block where codes or verification actions fail.
   • Make sure the number is a real mobile/landline (not VoIP) and that SMS from unknown senders is not blocked on the device.

If none of the above works, sign in to the Microsoft account that already has this phone number (if it is yours), remove the number there, wait if needed (up to 30 days if recently changed), and then add it again to the desired account.

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References:

• Help with "phone number is already used" in a Microsoft account
• How to redeem Microsoft Rewards points
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account