Unable to Add phone number

Question

Unable to Add phone number

Marc 0

Hi there,

I believe my devices to be comprised. While trying to secure my Microsoft account, I deleted a phone number that was attached to my account. I then tried to add a new one. I received an error which stated that option is not available at the moment, several times. Then, I logged out of my account and logged back in and there was no option what so ever to even add a phone number anymore. Requesting assistance.

Thanks,

Marc Ybarra

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2 answers

Your answer

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

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

Answer 2

For personal Microsoft accounts, adding a new phone number as a sign-in or verification method may no longer be available. In Security > Manage how I sign in, the available options can be limited to methods such as a recovery email address, Microsoft Authenticator, or a passkey.

What to do now:

Go to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
Select Manage how I sign in.
Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
If Phone is not offered, use one of the available methods instead:
- recovery email address
- Microsoft Authenticator
- passkey

Important details for this situation:

The missing Add phone number option can be expected for some personal Microsoft accounts.
If the number that was removed was recently attached to another Microsoft account, transfer may not be available yet.
A phone number can only be added to a single Microsoft account.
VOIP numbers cannot be added for sign-in or verification codes; only a mobile phone number can be used.
Avoid making excessive or repeated verification requests, because that can temporarily block code delivery.

If the goal is to secure the account after suspected compromise, make sure at least two other sign-in or recovery methods are present on the account before removing anything else.

If sign-in problems continue or access is blocked, use the sign-in helper or Contact Support from the Microsoft support flow.