how do i edit my phone number it has been changed

Question

need to change my phone number. i changed my number back in April of 2026 and i am changing this information as I discover the old number.

Answer 1

For personal Microsoft accounts, Microsoft now says you can no longer add a phone number as a new security method. This method is being phased out. See official document here.

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

Are you hoping to update the contact method to receive the 2FA verification?

If so, you go to https://account.live.com > Security > Manage how I sign in. And you will need to use email, the authentication app, or passkey.

If you need to verify your Bing Reward, The supported alternative to entering a phone number is QR-code verification through the Bing mobile app. Microsoft officially identifies this as an alternative to SMS, and users have successfully redeemed rewards with it when SMS verification failed. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/rewards/use-qr-code-verification-to-redeem-microsoft-rewards

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If you cannot sign in due to code being sent to old phone number, look for an option like “Show more verification methods” to see if you have a backup (e.g., a phone number or alternate email).

If you don’t have access to any of the options listed, select “I don’t have any of these.” This will begin the recovery process. As part of that process, Microsoft will let you add new contact information — but only after a 30-day waiting period.

This 30-day delay is intentional. It’s a security safeguard designed to protect users in case someone else tries to hijack their account by changing recovery info. The wait gives the rightful owner time to notice and stop unauthorized changes.

Unfortunately, this policy cannot be bypassed. Microsoft explains it further here.

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/-your-security-info-change-is-still-pending-or-you-can-t-access-this-site-right-now-microsoft-account-message-cbd0f64f-02d9-45d2-90c3-2375e5a72e52#:~:text=While%20we%20understand%20this%2030,phone%20number%20or%20email%20address.

Answer 2

For a personal Microsoft account, update the phone number in Manage how you sign in to Microsoft:

1. Go to Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and sign in.
2. Under Account alias, find the current phone number.
3. Select Remove next to the old phone number.
   • If that phone number is the primary alias, complete the additional steps shown there before removing it.
4. Select Add phone number.
5. Follow the prompts to add and verify the new number.

If a message says the new phone number is already linked to a different Microsoft account, that number can only be added to one Microsoft account. In that case:

1. Select Change number.
2. Enter a different mobile number.
3. Follow the remaining prompts.

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

If this is for a Microsoft 365 admin account, the admin contact number can also be updated in the Microsoft 365 admin center:

1. Go to Users > Active users.
2. Select the admin account.
3. Under Contact information, select Manage contact information.
4. Update the phone number and select Save changes.

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References:

• How do I change or remove my phone number in Skype?
• Help with reusing phone numbers in a Microsoft account
• Update your Microsoft 365 admin phone number and email address