Miscellaneous topics that do not fit into specific categories.
For a personal Outlook.com account, start the sign-in in a web browser, select I don’t have any of these at the identity-verification screen, and replace the inaccessible security information.
Personal Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN account
Since attempts to update the number from Outlook have not worked, perform the change through the Microsoft account sign-in page instead:
- Open Safari or another browser—not the Outlook iPhone app—and begin signing in to your Microsoft account.
- Enter the Outlook email address and password.
- At Verify your identity, select I don’t have any of these.
- Follow the prompts to replace the old security information with a method you can access.
- Verify the new method when prompted.
When all existing verification methods are inaccessible, Microsoft applies a 30-day waiting period after the replacement request. You cannot use the newly supplied security information to sign in until that period ends. Using the old security information during the waiting period cancels the replacement request.^1^
Do not repeatedly request codes for the old number; excessive requests can cause a temporary block.^1^
If there is no option to add the new phone number
Microsoft may not offer phone numbers as a new verification method for some personal accounts. If so, choose one of the methods displayed, such as:
- A recovery email address
- Microsoft Authenticator
- A passkey
After access is restored, go to Microsoft account → Security → Manage how I sign in → Add a new way to sign in or verify. Add and verify a working method before removing the old one.^2^
Microsoft support agents cannot send a verification code or manually change protected account details, so contacting support does not bypass the identity-verification or 30-day security process.^1^
If this is a work or school Outlook account
If the address belongs to an employer or school and the old number is the only verification method, contact that organization’s IT help desk or Microsoft 365 administrator. An Authentication Administrator can open:
Microsoft Entra admin center → Entra ID → Users → your account → Authentication methods → Require re-register MFA
This removes the registered MFA methods and prompts you to register a new method at the next sign-in.^3^
References