How to get authenticator to text you a code rather than go through the app

At the Microsoft verification screen, select Sign in another way, Use a different verification method, or Show more verification methods, then choose Text/SMS for the displayed phone number.

SMS will appear only if that number was previously registered for the account and—on a work or school account—your organization permits phone verification. Microsoft Entra can initially hide SMS behind Show more verification methods when stronger methods are also registered.^1^

If the text option appears

1. Select Text, SMS, or Send a code by text message.
2. Check that the final digits shown match the phone number/SIM currently in your old phone.
3. Request the code and enter the six-digit code on the sign-in page.
4. If it does not arrive immediately, wait several minutes before requesting another. Repeated requests can delay or temporarily block delivery.^1^

Moving the same active SIM into another compatible phone can work because the text is sent to the registered number, not to the Authenticator installation.

If SMS is not offered

You cannot add SMS during a sign-in that you cannot already verify. Use the applicable recovery path instead.

Personal Microsoft account

This includes addresses such as Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, or an existing third-party email used as a Microsoft account.

• Select Sign in another way and use any already-registered recovery email, passkey, Windows Hello, security key, or other available method.
• Microsoft is phasing out SMS authentication and recovery for personal accounts, so some accounts may no longer offer it. Microsoft is moving these accounts toward passkeys and verified email.^2^
• If no method works, use the Can’t sign in? sign-in helper or Contact Support options on that Microsoft Support page. Support agents cannot manually change account details or send password-reset links.^2^

After recovering access, open the Microsoft account’s Additional security options, select Add a new way to sign in or verify, and add another available recovery method.^3^

Work or school account

If SMS is absent or greyed out, the organization may have disabled phone verification.^4^

Contact the organization’s IT help desk and ask:

Please reset my MFA methods or require me to re-register for MFA because my registered Authenticator phone is unavailable.

An Authentication Administrator can go to Microsoft Entra admin center → Entra ID → Users → your account → Authentication methods → Require re-register MFA. This removes the registered phone numbers, Authenticator registrations, and software OATH methods, after which you set up an allowed method again at sign-in.^5^

If you still have access through another registered method, you can instead open Security info → Add sign-in method and select Phone, provided your organization allows it.^4^

References

1. Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication
2. Microsoft to stop sending SMS codes for personal accounts | Microsoft Support
3. How to help keep your Microsoft account secure | Microsoft Support
4. Set up a mobile device as a two-step verification method
5. Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication