Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
For personal Microsoft accounts such as Outlook.com, adding a new phone number as a sign-in or verification method may no longer be available. That is why the page only shows Add email and not an option to add a mobile number.
Supported alternatives are:
- Go to the Microsoft account Security tab at
https://account.microsoft.com/security. - Select Manage how I sign in.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
- Add one of the available methods, such as:
- a recovery email address
- Microsoft Authenticator
- a passkey
Microsoft states that the option to add a new phone number may not be available for some personal accounts, and accepted Microsoft Q&A answers for the same scenario confirm that phone numbers can no longer be added as a new security method for personal Microsoft accounts.
If the goal is stronger 2FA for the account, Microsoft Authenticator or a recovery email is the current supported path.