To change phone number in outlook 365 for a personal Microsoft account, go directly to your account management page at the Microsoft account website and sign in. This is the only place to update the phone number associated with your Outlook.com, Hotmail, or personal Microsoft 365 subscription.
How to change phone number in Outlook 365 for a personal account
For a personal Microsoft account, used for Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, or Microsoft 365 personal subscriptions, you must navigate to https://account.live.com/names/manage and sign in. On the "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft" page, under "Account aliases" or "Your info," you can select "Add phone number" to include a new one, or "Remove" next to an existing number to delete it. You must complete a verification process for the new phone number, typically by entering a code sent via SMS or call. This is the primary method for changing your phone number on accounts that are not managed by an organization.
Updating your security verification phone number
To change the phone number used for two-step verification or multi-factor authentication (MFA), go to the security info page and sign in. On the "Security info" page, you can select "Add method" to include a new phone number or "Delete" an existing one before adding a new number. If you do not have access to the old verification method, a 30-day waiting period may apply as a security measure to protect your account. If a phone number you wish to add is already associated with another Microsoft account, you might be prompted to "Transfer number"; if this option is not available, you may need to wait 30 days. If you lose access to your old phone number and cannot update your MFA methods yourself, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or your organization's IT Service Desk to reset your MFA registration. This process specifically handles updating phone number on apps and services that require security verification.
Changing a work or school account phone number
For Microsoft 365 work or school accounts, the "Work phone" in your profile is usually managed by your organization's IT administrator and may appear greyed out or locked. To update your work profile phone number, you generally need to contact your IT administrator, who can make the change in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or Microsoft Entra admin center. If you are a Microsoft 365 administrator, you can update your own phone number by signing into the Microsoft 365 admin center, going to "Users > Active users," selecting your account, choosing "Manage contact information," updating the number, and selecting "Save changes." This process is distinct from removing phone numbers from accounts you control personally, as work accounts are managed by your organization.
Updating a contact's phone number in Outlook
To change a phone number for a specific contact within Outlook, navigate to the "People" section, select the desired contact, choose "Edit contact," update the phone number field, and then "Save." This updates the phone number stored in your personal contact list and does not affect your own account phone number. This is useful for keeping your address book current without changing your own sign-in or verification details.
Final steps after changing your number
After updating a phone number for your account, it is recommended to sign out of all Microsoft 365 apps and sign back in for the changes to fully reflect across services. This ensures that your updated phone number is recognized by Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft 365 applications you use. You can verify the new number is operational by having a trusted contact place a test call or send a text message to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number in Outlook 365 affect my email account?
No, changing your phone number in Outlook 365 will not affect your email account. Your email address and account settings will remain the same. The phone number update is solely for contact and verification purposes.
Can I change my phone number in the Outlook 365 mobile app?
Yes, you can change your phone number in the Outlook 365 mobile app. Navigate to the settings menu (gear or three-dot icon), then select the 'Account' or 'Profile' section to initiate the update. However, for a personal Microsoft account, the change must ultimately be made through the account management website to take full effect.
Will my contacts be notified when I change my phone number in Outlook 365?
Outlook 365 does not automatically notify your contacts when you change your phone number. It is recommended to inform your important contacts about the change separately to ensure seamless communication.
