How do I install Outlook and unlock a Microsoft account stuck on an old phone number?
Answer
Install the free Microsoft Outlook app from the official App Store or Google Play store, then update the recovery phone number on Microsoft’s account recovery page if sign-in is stuck on an outdated number.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Only enter passwords and recovery codes on official Microsoft pages or inside the Outlook app—not on links from unexpected texts or callers.
Follow these steps
Install the free Outlook app
On iPhone, open the App Store, search for Microsoft Outlook by Microsoft Corporation, and install it. On Android, use Google Play and install the official Microsoft Outlook app.
You should see: Outlook appears on your home screen or in the app library and opens without asking for an unexpected fee.
Start Microsoft account recovery for the old number
On a browser, go to the official Microsoft account recovery page (account.live.com/acsr or account.microsoft.com), enter the Microsoft email address, and choose the option that says you no longer have the old phone number when verification fails.
You should see: Microsoft shows alternate recovery questions or a form to prove account ownership instead of only texting the old number.
Add your current phone or email when asked
If Microsoft’s recovery page specifically asks for a new contact method, enter a phone number or email you can access now, then complete any identity checks it shows.
You should see: The old number is replaced or bypassed, and you can finish sign-in or password reset.
Sign in to Outlook with the recovered account
Open the Outlook app, tap Add account or Get started, enter the same Microsoft email, and finish sign-in with the updated password or verification method.
You should see: Your mailbox loads in Outlook, or you see a clear error you can use for further help.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether Outlook is missing from the home screen or app library, and whether Microsoft asks for a code sent to a phone number you no longer have.
Before you change anything: Confirm you are using the official App Store, Google Play, or Microsoft Store—not a random download link. Write down the email address used for the Microsoft account before starting recovery. Do not delete mail or reset the phone until recovery options are updated. Never share your password or one-time codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.