Set up a phone call as your verification method
You can follow these steps to add your two-factor verification and password reset methods. After you've set this up the first time, you can return to the Security info page to add, update, or delete your security information.
If you're prompted to set this up immediately after you sign in to your work or school account, see the detailed steps in the Set up your security info from the sign-in page prompt article.
If what you're seeing on your screen doesn't match what's being covered in this article, it means that your administrator hasn't turned on this experience yet. Until this experience is turned on, you must follow the instructions and information in Set up my account for two-step verification.
Notes:
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Security info doesn't support using phone extensions. Even if you add the proper format, +1 4255551234X12345, the extensions are removed before the call is placed.
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If you don't see a phone option, it's possible that your organization doesn't allow you to use this option for verification. In this case, you'll need to choose another method or contact your organization's help desk for more assistance.
Security verification versus password reset authentication
Security info methods are used for both two-factor security verification and for password reset. However, not all methods can be used for both.
|
Method |
Used for |
|
Authenticator app |
Two-factor verification and password reset authentication. |
|
Text messages |
Two-factor verification and password reset authentication. |
|
Phone calls |
Two-factor verification and password reset authentication. |
|
Security key |
Two-factor verification and password reset authentication. |
|
Email account |
Password reset authentication only. You'll need to choose a different method for two-factor verification. |
|
Security questions |
Password reset authentication only. You'll need to choose a different method for two-factor verification. |
Set up phone calls from the Security info page
Depending on your organization’s settings, you might be able to use phone calls as one of your security info methods.
Note: If you want to receive a text message instead of a phone call, follow the steps in the Set up security info to use text messaging article.
To set up phone calls
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Sign in to your work or school account and then go to your My Account page.
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Select Security info from the left navigation pane or from the link in the Security info block, and then select Add method from the Security info page.
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On the Add a method page, select Phone, and then select Add.
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On the Phone page, type the phone number for your mobile device, choose Call me, and then select Next.
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Answer the verification phone call, sent to the phone number you entered, and follow the instructions.
Your security info is updated and you can use phone calls to verify your identity when using two-step verification or password reset. If you want to make phone calls your default method, see the Change your default security info method section of this article.
Delete phone calls from your security info methods
If you no longer want to use phone calls as a security info method, you can remove it from the Security info page.
Important: If you delete phone calls by mistake, there's no way to undo it. You'll have to add the method again, following the steps in the Set up phone calls section of this article.
To delete phone calls
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On the Security info page, select Delete next to the Phone option.
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Select Yes from the confirmation box to delete the Phone number. After your phone number is deleted, it's removed from your security info and it disappears from the Security info page. If Phone is your default method, the default will change to another available method.
Change your default security info method
If you want phone calls to be the default method used when you sign-in to your work or school account using two-factor verification or for password reset requests, you can set it from the Security info page.
To change your default security info method
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On the Security info page, select Change next to the Default sign-in method information.
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Select Phone - call (your_phone_number) from the list of available methods, and then select Confirm.
Next steps
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Reset your password if you've lost or forgotten it, from the Password reset portal or follow the steps in the Reset your work or school password article.
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Get troubleshooting tips and help for sign-in problems in the Can't sign in to your Microsoft account article.
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