Password & Account Recovery

How to Recover a Forgotten Microsoft Account Username and Password on Mac

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover their forgotten Microsoft account credentials to resolve sign-in prompts on their Mac.

How to Recover a Forgotten Microsoft Account Username and Password on macOS

Product: Microsoft Account
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: The user is prompted for Microsoft credentials on macOS but has forgotten both the username and password, though they still have access to their phone for recovery.
Observed behavior: macOS repeatedly requests credentials, preventing the user from signing in to Microsoft services or validating Office applications.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your backup phone number or alternative email address associated with your Microsoft account to receive verification codes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Microsoft Username Recovery Page

Use Microsoft's official recovery tool to find your forgotten username using your associated phone number or alternate email address.

If you have access to the security phone number or recovery email associated with your Microsoft account, this is the fastest way to identify your username and regain access to your account.

Visit the Recovery Page

Open a web browser on your Mac or phone and navigate to the Microsoft username recovery page at account.live.com/username/recover.

Enter Recovery Details

Input the security phone number or alternative email address that you linked to your Microsoft account.

Request a Security Code

Follow the on-screen prompt to request a security code. Microsoft will send this code to your phone or email.

Enter the Code

Type the security code you received into the browser and click Next.

Select Your Account

Microsoft will display a partially hidden username. Select Sign in for the account you want, and follow the prompts to reset your password if you have forgotten it as well.

Use the Microsoft Username Recovery Page

Password Reset: Once you have successfully identified your username, you can click 'Forgot Password' on the sign-in screen to initiate a password reset using the same phone or email.

Solution 2

Check Microsoft Office Apps for Account Details

If you previously signed into Office apps like Word or Excel on your Mac, you can find your username directly in the app settings.

Solution 3

Search Your Email Inboxes for Microsoft Receipts

Locate your Microsoft account username by checking your other email inboxes for past Microsoft communications or billing receipts.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac – No Microsoft Account Required

If you are locked out of your Microsoft account and need to view or edit documents urgently, WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative that works perfectly on macOS. You don't need a Microsoft subscription or account to get started.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your Mac.
3. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing Microsoft Office files and select 'Open With > WPS Office' to continue working immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No mandatory Microsoft account or active subscription required to create and edit local files.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interface optimized for macOS.All-in-one suite that handles PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations seamlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my Microsoft account if I don't have access to my recovery phone or email?

Yes, but the process takes longer. You will need to go to the Microsoft account recovery page, select 'I don't have any of these' when prompted for verification, and fill out the Account Recovery form with as much accurate historical account information as possible.

Will resetting my Microsoft account password delete my files on OneDrive?

No, resetting your password only restores your access to the account. Your files, emails, and documents stored in OneDrive or Office 365 will remain safe and intact.

How can I view my saved Microsoft passwords on macOS?

If you previously saved your Microsoft account password on your Mac, you can open the 'Keychain Access' app (located in Applications > Utilities) and search for 'login.live.com', 'outlook', or 'Microsoft' to reveal the saved credentials.

Why does macOS keep repeatedly prompting me for my Microsoft account password?

This usually happens if your session token has expired, your password was changed on another device, or there is an authentication glitch between macOS native apps (like Mail or Calendar) and Microsoft servers. Re-entering the correct, updated password typically resolves the loop.

Login & Account Issues