A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
The SMS verification cannot be sent or bypassed by support, and two-step verification cannot be disabled by anyone other than the account owner. When SMS is “currently not working, try another method” and there is no other available method, only the built-in recovery options can be used.
Use these steps and constraints from the documented behavior:
- Avoid repeated SMS requests
- Excessive or repetitive requests to the phone number can cause a temporary block where codes are not sent at all.
- Wait for some time before trying again, and do not keep resubmitting the SMS request.
- Check for conditions that block SMS delivery
- If the number is VOIP, it cannot be used for verification; a mobile number is required.
- If you are in a region where Microsoft’s SMS services have limited functionality or are temporarily unavailable, codes may not arrive until the service recovers.
- If there is heavy compromised traffic from your region, Microsoft may temporarily stop sending codes to protect the account; this resolves automatically after some time.
- Ensure the phone is able to receive texts from unknown numbers and that the SMS inbox is not full.
- Confirm the security info is correct (if you can still sign in anywhere)
- If there is any way to sign in (for example from another device or existing session), go to the Security info page for the account and verify the phone number and email are correct. If needed, replace the phone number with a working mobile number.
- If codes still do not arrive
- If still not receiving verification codes, another method must be used, or it is necessary to wait until access to the listed phone or email is possible again. Support agents are not allowed to send verification codes, reset passwords directly, or change security details on the account.
- If unable to sign in at all, use the sign-in helper tool to diagnose common sign-in issues.
- For additional technical help with the process (not for bypassing verification), contact Microsoft Support via the official Contact Support channel and choose the appropriate product/security category.
It is not possible for support (or anyone else) to send a one-off SMS code on request or to manually turn off two-step verification; only the automated recovery flows and the security info already configured on the account can be used.
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