MFA & Verification Issues

How to Change a User's MFA Phone Number in Microsoft Entra ID

Bushra Parveen Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

Administrators need to update or add an authentication phone number for a user in Microsoft Entra ID.

How to Change a User's MFA Phone Number in Microsoft Entra ID

Product: Microsoft Entra ID
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing user authentication methods and security verification details for Exchange Online and Microsoft Entra ID.
Observed behavior: The administrator needs to successfully configure a new or updated MFA phone number for a specific user to ensure secure account access.

Before you start

Ensure you have at least the Authentication Administrator role assigned to your admin account before attempting to modify another user's authentication methods.

Solution 1Recommended

Update MFA Phone Number via Microsoft Entra Admin Center

Use the Microsoft Entra admin center to directly edit or add a user's phone number for multi-factor authentication.

This method allows IT administrators to override or update security contact information for users who may have lost access to their old phone or need to provision a new device.

Sign in to the Admin Center

Navigate to https://entra.microsoft.com in your web browser and log in with an account that has Authentication Administrator privileges.

Navigate to the Users Directory

In the left-hand navigation pane, expand 'Identity', click on 'Users', and then select 'All users'.

Select the Target User

Use the search bar to find the specific user whose MFA settings need to be updated, and click on their name to open their profile.

Access Authentication Methods

In the user's profile menu on the left side, locate and click on 'Authentication methods'.

Update and Save the Phone Number

Select the existing phone method to edit it, or choose to add a new phone number. Enter the number in a valid international format (e.g., +1 4255551234) and click save to apply the changes.

Update MFA Phone Number via Microsoft Entra Admin Center

Formatting Requirement: Phone numbers must be entered in a strict international format, including the correct country code, to guarantee the delivery of MFA SMS messages and voice calls.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I edit a user's authentication methods?

You must have at least the Authentication Administrator role or Global Administrator role assigned to your account. If the option is greyed out, you do not have sufficient permissions to modify another user's MFA settings in Microsoft Entra ID.

Can users change their own MFA phone number?

Yes, users can update their own security info by visiting the My Sign-Ins page (mysignins.microsoft.com) and managing their Security Info, provided the organization's policies allow self-service updates.

What happens if the phone number is not in an international format?

If the phone number lacks the appropriate country code (e.g., +1 for the United States or Canada), the Microsoft Entra ID system will likely fail to send the SMS or voice call during the multi-factor authentication process.

Is it possible to require MFA re-registration for a user?

Yes. In the Authentication methods section for the specific user, an administrator can click 'Require re-register MFA'. This forces the user to set up their authentication methods from scratch upon their next sign-in attempt.

Login & Account Issues