Add security information to your Microsoft account

To add new security information to your Microsoft account, follow these steps:

1. Sign in using your Microsoft account email address and password.
2. Select Security.
3. Select Update info under Update your security info.
4. Select Add security info.
5. You may be asked to verify that you are the account owner by receiving a security code via text or email and then entering it online.
6. Select Add a new email address or Add a new phone number, and then follow the directions provided to add and verify your new security information.

You'll also receive a notification at your existing email address or phone number. This is a precaution in case someone else made the change. If that happens, you can cancel the change by following the instructions you receive with your notification.

Only one contact method is required, but we strongly encourage you to include both an email address and a phone number, in case you later lose access to one or the other.

When you create a new Microsoft account, whether via your Xbox console or online, you’re asked to add security information such as a phone number and/or email address.

When you do so, you’ll receive a security code at the phone number or email address you provided. Though you have a few days to enter the security code, we recommend that you enter the code and verify your identity right away.

If you do so, your security information will be available to use immediately if you forget your password or your account is compromised. If you don’t verify it right away, and you forget your password before you verify it, for example, the security information won’t be available to help you recover your account.