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Set up an email address as your verification method - Azure AD
How to set up your Security info (preview) page to verify your identity using an email address as your verification method.
active-directory
curtand
daveba
sahenry
active-directory
identity
user-help
end-user-help
02/13/2019
curtand

Set up an email address as your verification method

You can follow these steps to add your password reset method. 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.

[!INCLUDE preview-notice]

Note

If you don't see an email option, it's possible that your organization doesn't allow you to use this option for your password reset method. In this case, you'll need to choose another method or contact your organization's help desk for more help.

Security vs password reset verification

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 another method for two-factor verification.
Security questions Password reset authentication only. You'll need to choose another method for two-factor verification.

Set up your email address from the Security info page

Depending on your organization’s settings, you might be able to use your email address as one of your security info methods.

Note

We recommend using an email address that doesn't require your network password to access. If you don't see the email option, it's possible that your organization doesn't allow you to use an email for verification. If this is the case, you'll need to choose another method or contact your administrator for more help.

To set up your email address

  1. Sign in to your work or school account and then go to your https://myaccount.microsoft.com/ page.

    My Profile page, showing highlighted Security info links

  2. 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.

    Security info page with highlighted Add method option

  3. On the Add a method page, select Email from the drop-down list, and then select Add.

    Add method box, with email selected

  4. On the Email page, type your email address (for example, [email protected]), and then select Next.

    Add phone number and choose phone calls

    [!Important] This email address can't be your work or school email.

  5. Type the code sent to your specified email address, and then select Next.

    Add phone number and choose text messages

    Your security info is updated and you can use your email address to verify your identity when using password reset.

Delete your email address from your security info methods

If you no longer want to use your email address as a security info method, you can remove it from the Security info page.

Important

If you delete your email address by mistake, there's no way to undo it. You'll have to add the method again, following the steps in the Set up your email address section of this article.

To delete your email address

  1. On the Security info page, select the Delete link next to the Email option.

    Link to delete the phone method from security info

  2. Select Yes from the confirmation box to delete the Email account. After the email account is deleted, it's removed from your security info and it disappears from the Security info page.

Additional security info methods

You have additional options for how your organization contacts you to verify your identity, based on what's you're trying to do. The options include:

  • Authenticator app. Download and use an authenticator app to get either an approval notification or a randomly generated approval code for two-step verification or password reset. For step-by-step instructions about how to set up and use the Microsoft Authenticator app, see Set up security info to use an authenticator app.

  • Mobile device text. Enter your mobile device number and get a text a code you'll use for two-step verification or password reset. For step-by-step instructions about how to verify your identity with a text message (SMS), see Set up security info to use text messaging (SMS).

  • Mobile device or work phone call. Enter your mobile device number and get a phone call for two-step verification or password reset. For step-by-step instructions about how to verify your identity with a phone number, see Set up security info to use phone calls.

  • Security key. Register your Microsoft-compatible security key and use it along with a PIN for two-step verification or password reset. For step-by-step instructions about how to verify your identity with a security key, see Set up security info to use a security key.

  • Security questions. Answer some security questions created by your administrator for your organization. This option is only available for password reset and not for two-step verification. For step-by-step instructions about how to set up your security questions, see the Set up security info to use security questions article.

    [!Note] If some of these options are missing, it's most likely because your organization doesn't allow those methods. If this is the case, you'll need to choose an available method or contact your administrator for more help.

Next steps