How To Change Default Authentication Method in Microsoft 365

📲 Set Up Text Messaging for Verification

You can follow these steps to add two-factor verification (2FA) and password reset methods. Once it's set up, you can return to the Security info page anytime to add, update, or delete your security info.

⚠️ If you're asked to set this up right after signing in to your work/school account, check out this article:
🔗 Set up your security info from the sign-in page prompt

🙈 Not seeing what’s in this guide? Your admin might not have enabled this feature yet. Until then, use the instructions in:
🔗 Set up my account for two-step verification

❗ Note: If you don’t see a phone option, your organization may not allow it. Contact your IT Help Desk for support.


✉️ Set Up Text Messages from the Security Info Page

Depending on your organization's settings, you might be able to use text messaging (SMS) as one of your security info methods.

💡 Text messages are part of the Phone option. Instead of choosing a call, you’ll select to receive a text message.


➡️ Prefer phone calls? Follow this article instead:
🔗 Set-up security info to use phone calls


✅ To Set Up Text Messages:

  1. 🔐 Sign in to your work or school account and go to your My Account page.
  2. 🛡️ Select Security info (left menu or via the Security Info block). Click Add method.
  3. ➕ On the Add a method page, choose Phone and click Add.
  4. 📱 Enter your mobile number, choose Text me a code, then click Next.
  5. 📩 Enter the code sent to your phone via text, then hit Next again.

🎉 You’re all set! Text messaging is now added as a security method.

💡 Want to make it your default? See the section below on Changing your default method.


🗑️ Delete Text Messaging from Your Security Info

No longer want to use text messaging? Here’s how to   remove it:

❗ Important: Deleting this method is permanent — you'll need to re-add it if you change your mind.


🔽 To Delete:

  1. 🛡️ Go to the Security info page.
  2. ❌ Click Delete next to the Phone option.
  3. ✅ Confirm by selecting Yes in the pop-up.


📭 Your phone number will be removed from your security info list. If it was your default, the system will switch to another available method.


🔄 Change Your Default Security Info Method

Want text messaging to be your default 2FA or password reset method?


🔽 To Change It:

  1. 🛡️ On the Security info page, click Change next to Default sign-in method.
  2. 📲 Choose Phone – text (your number) from the dropdown, then click Confirm.

📌 Your default method is now set to text messaging.