remove send sign in notification in security settings

Tiffany Schmidt 0 Reputation points
2026-03-07T21:57:14.1733333+00:00

It will not allow me to do the following

For a personal Microsoft account (OneDrive/Outlook.com, etc.):

  1. Sign in to the Advanced security options page of the Microsoft account.
  2. In the list of verification options (security info), find the entry that corresponds to Microsoft Authenticator or App.
  3. Expand that option and select Remove.
  4. Select Remove again to confirm.

This removes Authenticator as a sign-in verification method so the account can be reconfigured with new methods (including re-adding Authenticator later).

It provides an error message that before i remove a legacy app I need to add another phone number or alternate email adress

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-07T21:57:25.03+00:00

    The error is expected behavior. Before removing an existing verification method (like Microsoft Authenticator or “Send sign-in notification”), at least one other valid security contact method must be on the account.

    To proceed, the sequence must be:

    1. Add a new security method first
      1. Go to the Microsoft account Security page, then Advanced security options.
      2. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
      3. Add a phone number, alternate email address, or another approved method.
      4. Complete the verification for this new method (enter the code sent to the phone/email).
    2. Then remove the old “send sign-in notification” / Authenticator method
      1. Still on Advanced security options, under Ways to prove who you are / verification options, find the entry for Microsoft Authenticator, App, or Send sign-in notification.
      2. Expand that entry and select Remove.
      3. Confirm Remove again.

    Important constraints from the security system:

    • Old security info does not need to be removed unless there is a security risk, but if it must be removed, new info must be added first.
    • If all security information is removed or scheduled for removal, the account goes into a 30‑day restricted state where security settings and billing info cannot be changed.

    So to clear the error, add at least one new phone or email as security info, verify it, and then remove the legacy app / notification method.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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