how to change back up email

Question

I want to change the back up email on my Microsoft account. However when I click that I want to change my security details, I am being asked for a code that has been sent to my back up email that I don't have access to. Is there a way around this?

Answer 1

@Charity Hall said

I want to change the back up email on my Microsoft account .. but asked for a code that has been sent to my back up email that I don't have access to.

If you don't have any other verification methods defined for your account, there is a way out, but you may loose access to your account for 30 days.

You can try to request that all the verification methods be replaced. This will put your account in a 30 day "Pending Request" state. You will have limited access to the account during this period or no access at all if the account has Two-step Verification enabled.

See the Answer by "Hornblower409 Jun 25 2026" in
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5920985/how-to-fix-we-will-send-a-verification-code-to-(mo

Answer 2

Hi!

Don't you have another verification method? Check if an "Other Sign-in Methods" option appears. There are usually other verification options available, such as a passkey (mobile), an authenticator app, or a phone number.

There is no way to skip the security checks; otherwise, anyone who accessed your email could change your security information.

Answer 3

There is no bypass for that verification step. To change the backup email, access to an existing verification method is normally required.

Use one of these supported paths:

1. On the verification screen, select Show more verification methods if available and use another method that still works.
2. If none of the listed methods are accessible, select I don't have any of these. That starts the account recovery or security info replacement process.
3. After identity is verified, add a new sign-in or verification method:
   • Go to the Microsoft account Security tab.
   • Select Manage how I sign in.
   • Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. If a security info replacement is started, a 30-day waiting period can apply before the new security info is usable. This waiting period cannot be bypassed.

If the account is prompting to send a code to another Microsoft email account such as Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN, use two private browsing windows so both accounts stay signed in at the same time:

1. Open the first account in a private/InPrivate window.
2. When prompted for the code, leave that window open.
3. Open a second private/InPrivate window.
4. Sign in to the alternate email account there and get the code.
5. Return to the first window and enter the code.

If the old backup email is no longer accessible at all, the supported route is recovery/security info replacement, not a direct change around the code prompt.

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• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Change the email address for your Microsoft account