i want to change my phone number on my account

Question

cant sign in to account because it has my old number on it and i need to change to my new phone number

Answer 1

Hello

Microsoft is phasing out SMS verification for personal accounts. Please use a recovery email address or Microsoft Authenticator instead of adding a new verification phone number. Microsoft’s explanation: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/microsoft-to-stop-sending-sms-codes-for-personal-accounts

Since you cannot sign in, please use the Sign-in Helper to follow the recovery options available for your account: https://aka.ms/sign-in-helper

Once access is restored, add an alternative verification method before removing the old number.

Answer 2

If this is a personal Microsoft account and sign-in is blocked because verification goes to the old number, use the account recovery path first.

1. Start with the Sign-in Helper and enter the email address or old mobile number used for the account.
2. If prompted for a verification code that can only go to the old number, choose the option for not having access to that security info when available.
3. After access is restored, update the account:
   • Go to Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.
   • Under Account alias, select Remove next to the old phone number.
   • Select Add phone number to add the new one.
4. On the Security tab, select Manage how I sign in, then add a new way to sign in or verify. A new phone number might not be available there; only options such as a recovery email address, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey may appear.

Important:

• A phone number can only be added to one Microsoft account at a time.
• If the new number is already linked to another Microsoft account, remove it from that other account first, then add it to the intended account.
• If the number was recently used on another account, transfer may not be available yet and a different number may be required.

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References:

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Help with reusing phone numbers in a Microsoft account
• Microsoft account security info & verification codes