Hi I’m trying tomorrow link my phone number to my Microsoft account how ever it keeps...

Hello Dérek, the purchase don’t show on my sons App Store purchases account account and he doesn’t have a Microsoft account.

EE state that the purchases show as Microsoft and due to that being 3rd party they can’t trace it.

I’m aware that purchases can be made and charged to a phone contract account just with a phone number however this would need approving and it hasn’t been not via text or email.

And I’m inclined to believe as I went through everything with him, he states he doesn’t even know his number so I’m unsure on how to trace them.

Hi, Calico! I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble adding your phone number to your account. No worries, I'm happy to assist you with this today.

Have you used this phone number in the past? It seems that your phone number is linked to a different account based on the error you mentioned. Did you try a different phone number?

Have you also tried resetting your password?

https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx

Thank you!

Hello!

as far as I know the Xbox is connected to the account on my console. I’m trying to login on my phone through the fortnite website, with my Xbox/microsoft account and it keeps saying error.

Hi there,

please see this link for a forgotten password, it has all the steps on how to try and reset it, up to contacting Xbox Support and what is needed etc:

support.xbox.com/.../forgot-microsoft-account-solution

Side note: be aware that Phone numbers can be different per country

Hi Tran,

My name is Aileen, and I’m an Xbox Expert and an Xbox user. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been in a similar situation before, and I know how upsetting and helpless it can feel, especially when you've done everything right and even your linked phone number can’t help.

Since your phone number is still linked, there may still be a small window to act, but unfortunately, Microsoft’s recovery tools are limited once the account has been fully taken over and the alias/email has been changed. That said, here’s what I would personally try at this stage:

Step 1: Try password reset with your phone number (skip the email)

Go to this page:

https://account.live.com/password/reset

Select “I forgot my password.”

Enter your full phone number (not email), then follow the steps to receive a verification code via SMS.

If your phone number is still linked as a primary alias or sign-in method, this might still allow you to reset the password.

If it says "we don’t recognize this as a Microsoft account," it’s likely the hacker removed the phone as a sign-in method but not from the security info.

Step 2 Try this direct link for sign-in using phone number

Sometimes this page behaves differently than the standard recovery path:

https://login.live.com/login.srf?username=PHONE...

(Replace PHONE_NUMBER with your full number, including country code)

Step 3 Submit the recovery form using the phone number

If the above doesn’t help, go here:

https://account.live.com/acsr

Use your phone number in the "email or phone number you want to recover" field. In the “contact email,” enter any email where they can reach you.

Even though the form failed before, trying it with your phone number as the login might produce a different result.

Step 4: Escalate to Microsoft support using a temporary account

If nothing above works, this is what I’d personally do:

Create a new Microsoft account, then contact Microsoft support with it.

Go here:

https://support.microsoft.com/contactus

Choose “Account & billing” > then “Compromised account”.

You might need to click “Contact Support” or type into the virtual agent “talk to a person.”

Once connected, clearly explain:

“My old Microsoft account was hacked, but my working phone number is still attached. I cannot access the account recovery form because it’s asking for the hacker’s email. Please escalate this to account security or internal support. I have access to the phone number and can verify.”

They may be able to create a support ticket with advanced verification or guide you to an internal review.

I really hope this helps, and I’m here if you want help writing to support or building a case that includes your purchase history, old gamertag, old passwords, and any Xbox receipts — anything that can prove the account was yours.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Looking forward to your response.

Thank you!

Aileen