How to add phone number to security

Question

I tried to change my phone number in security on my microsoft account. Instead of just entering the new number I deleted the old number and then attempted to enter my new phone number. I've been struggling with this ever since. Is there some way to do this? When I try to sign in they want me to verify via a text message that is evidently going to my old number as I no text appears. I've changed it under addresses but it still doesn't show up in security. Help!!

Answer 1

For a personal Microsoft account, a phone number can no longer be added as a new sign-in verification method. That is why the new number does not appear under Security after the old one was deleted.

What is still possible:

1. Go to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
2. Select Manage how I sign in.
3. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. Add another method such as:
   • a recovery email address
   • the Microsoft Authenticator app
   • a passkey or security key

Important details:

• Updating the phone number under account info or addresses does not add it back as a security verification method.
• If sign-in is still asking for a text to the old number, access will depend on another existing verification method on the account.
• A Microsoft account can have up to 10 different ways to verify sign-in, so adding alternate methods is the supported path.

If the phone number is being added as an account alias or sign-in phone number instead of a security method, that is managed separately at Edit account info: https://account.live.com/names/manage. But that does not restore SMS as a security verification method.

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References:

• Microsoft account security info & verification codes
• Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account
• How to change my phone number - Microsoft Q&A
• How to change phone number in Account Info section - Microsoft Q&A
• how do change my cellphone number on my account - Microsoft Q&A
• How change phone number associated with my account? - Microsoft Q&A