How to add phone number in Microsoft Account Info (add phone is missing)

Question

After deleting my phone number in my account info so i could update it with new one i am never prompted for my number again so i cant enter new one

microsoft account info

Answer 1

Microsoft is gradually phasing out SMS as an authentication and account recovery method for personal Microsoft accounts. Instead, Microsoft is moving toward verified email addresses and passkeys.

Since you removed your previous phone number and the option to add a new one is no longer available, this may be related to this change.

I recommend adding a verified email address and setting up a passkey as alternative security methods for your account.

For more information:
https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/manage/microsoft-to-stop-sending-sms-codes-for-personal-accounts

Answer 2

For a personal Microsoft account, a new phone number may no longer be available as a sign-in or verification method after the old one is removed. Microsoft notes that when adding a new way to sign in or verify, the phone option may not appear, and only options such as a recovery email address, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey may be offered.

To check what methods are available:

1. Sign in to the Security tab at https://account.microsoft.com/security.
2. Select Manage how I sign in.
3. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. If Phone is not listed, use one of the available methods instead, such as:
   • recovery email address
   • Microsoft Authenticator
   • passkey

If the issue is specifically that the same phone number is already tied to another Microsoft account, that number can only be associated with one Microsoft account at a time. In that case:

1. Sign in to the account that currently has the phone number.
2. Select Remove next to that phone number.
3. Sign out.
4. Sign in to the account where the number should be added.
5. Select Add phone number.

If the number was only recently added to a different account, the documented option is to use a different mobile number.

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References:

• Microsoft account security info & verification codes
• Help with reusing phone numbers in a Microsoft account