Microsoft SMS Verification

Receive a Microsoft account text code, with the limits stated up front.

A Microsoft account covers Outlook, Office, Xbox, OneDrive and Windows sign-in. During sign-up or when you add a security method, Microsoft can send a code to a phone number.

Microsoft's own help pages say it may not accept some virtual or internet-based numbers for security info. So we will say it plainly: a rented number may work, and it may not. SMS Activate rents you the number and shows the code if one arrives. Your wallet is charged when the number is issued, and an order with no SMS inside 20 minutes is refunded.

How a Microsoft verification works: choose a service and country, enter the number, then read the code — The steps are short: pick the service and country, enter the number, read the code on your dashboard.

How to verify Microsoft in 5 steps

1Open the dashboard and choose Microsoft from the service list.
2Pick a country and buy a number.
3Enter the number as security info on the Microsoft sign-up screen.
4Wait for the code on your dashboard.
5Enter it, then add an authenticator app and a second email.

Rent a number for Microsoft

Where the number is used

Microsoft asks for security info so it can reach you if something looks wrong with the account. A phone number is one option, and an email address or an authenticator app are others.

If you use a rented number as the only security method, you may be locked out when the number is gone. If the account matters, add an authenticator app and a second email as soon as you can.

Why acceptance is uncertain

Microsoft aims to block numbers that cannot be tied to a normal mobile line. That includes numbers some services sell for short-term use. Whether a particular number passes is decided by Microsoft and may change from week to week.

If a number is refused, cancel after the first two minutes and try another country. Do not keep trying on the same account over and over, because Microsoft can add a waiting period.

Good uses and bad uses

A rented number is reasonable for a throwaway account to test software, to try a trial, or to complete a one-time step. It is a poor fit for an account that holds work files, a mailbox you rely on, or a game library.

Use accurate details on the account and follow Microsoft's terms.

Price and refunds

Prices vary by country and stock, from a few cents to a couple of dollars. A code normally arrives within a minute or two.

Your wallet is charged when the order is placed. If no SMS comes in 20 minutes, the amount returns to your wallet. See your dashboard for the exact rules for your order.