How to Recover Your Microsoft Account Without a Phone Number

If you need to recover your Microsoft account but don't have access to the phone number associated with it, you can follow these steps:

Visit the Microsoft Account Recovery Page

Go to the Microsoft account recovery page.

Select a Recovery Method

Choose this option and click on Enter Your Email Address. Input the email address linked to your Microsoft account and fill in the characters you see on the screen. Then click on Choose a Recovery Method.

Alternative Recovery Methods

Email: If you have a recovery email set up, you can receive a verification code there. Authenticator App: If you have the Microsoft Authenticator app set up on another device, you can use it to receive a code.

Verify Your Identity

Follow the prompts to verify your identity using the method you selected. If you successfully verify, you’ll be able to reset your password.

Use Recovery Form

If you don't have any recovery options available, you can fill out a recovery form. This may ask for information about your account such as previous passwords, contacts, or other details to verify your identity.

Provide Additional Information

If prompted, provide as much information as possible to assist Microsoft in verifying your identity.

Wait for Response

After submitting the recovery form, you may need to wait for Microsoft to review your request and respond via email.

Additional Tips

Ensure you have access to the recovery email or any other recovery method you choose. Keep an eye on your spam/junk folder for any emails from Microsoft. If you have difficulty, consider contacting Microsoft support for additional help.

Understanding Microsoft's Identity Verification Process

To Microsoft, you are a random person on the internet, no different from any other random person on the internet. This means that to let one random person into an account that someone else owns, that person must demonstrate that they are the owner of the account. Otherwise, another random person on the internet could get access to your stuff.

Initially, the purpose of your password is to protect your account. However, because people forget passwords or are tricked into sharing them, Microsoft, as well as Google and other companies, require you to have a second method of proving that you own the account.

Whether it’s setting up a new device, resolving a cookie issue, or leveraging Account Recovery, they require you to use some form of contact you set up ahead of time. If you didn’t set one up or it’s no longer valid, you are just another random person on the internet to them.