Phone verification being unavailable when redeeming Microsoft Rewards is not directly caused by having no phone number on the account, but a valid mobile or landline number (not VoIP) is required both for Microsoft account security and for Rewards redemptions.
For Microsoft Rewards redemptions:
- Microsoft Rewards requires a mobile or landline phone number for SMS verification when redeeming points.
- VoIP numbers are not allowed for Rewards redemptions.
- If verification is failing or unavailable, it can also be due to:
- Using a VoIP number
- Using a VPN or appearing to be in a different region than the account
- Trying to redeem from outside the account’s home region
- Hitting limits on how many accounts can use the same phone number (max 6 per household)
To add a phone number to the Microsoft account:
- Go to the “how you sign in” page: Edit account info.
- Select Add phone number.
- Follow the prompts to add a mobile or landline number.
Important details when adding/using a phone number:
- VOIP numbers cannot be added as a way to sign in or get verification codes.
- If Microsoft shows errors like “We cannot send a text message to this number,” possible reasons include:
- Temporary block due to unusual activity or too many code requests.
- Heavy compromised traffic from the region, which can delay or block codes temporarily.
- Using a VOIP number instead of a mobile/landline.
- In these cases, wait for the temporary block to clear and ensure a valid mobile/landline number is used.
If the phone number is correctly added and is a mobile/landline, but Rewards still says phone verification is unavailable, the issue is likely a temporary verification/SMS or regional restriction rather than the absence of a phone number. In that case, try again later and ensure no VPN/proxy is in use and the account region matches the physical location.
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