For a personal Microsoft account, adding a new phone number as a security verification method may no longer be available. In that case, only options such as a recovery email address, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey may appear under security settings.
If the goal is to change the phone number used to sign in:
- Go to Manage how you sign in to Microsoft and sign in.
- Under Account alias, check whether the old phone number is listed.
- Select Remove next to the old number.
- Select Add phone number and follow the prompts.
If the goal is to change the phone number used for security verification:
- Open the Microsoft account Security tab.
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
- If phone number is not offered, use one of the available methods instead:
- recovery email address
- Microsoft Authenticator
- passkey
If the old phone number was removed and access is now blocked:
- At the Verify your identity prompt, select I don't have any of these.
- Follow the instructions to replace security info.
- After replacing all security info, there is a 30-day wait before sign-in is restored.
If a mobile number is already linked to another Microsoft account:
- Select Transfer if that option appears.
- If Transfer does not appear, select Change number and use a different mobile number, or try again after 30 days.
- A phone number can only be added to a single Microsoft account.
Also note:
- VOIP numbers cannot be added for sign-in or verification codes.
- Avoid making repeated code requests, because that can temporarily block code delivery.