Phone Number Change Problem for years.

Awesome, since you've successfully added a new alias — that's a good step forward. The message you're now seeing, "the method isn't working right now," when trying to enter your phone number, usually means the system hasn't fully synced the new alias across all layers yet.

Here's what you can do from here:

1. Wait up to 24 hours

Sometimes after setting a new primary alias, Microsoft’s system needs a bit of time to update your account profile fully. During that window, phone verification or proof changes may temporarily fail with that error.

Give it some time — ideally up to 24 hours — before trying to add your phone number again at https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage

2. Once the wait is over, try again

After the system settles:

Go back to the “Manage your account security info” page

Try adding your phone number again

Make sure you're using a mobile number that’s not currently tied to another Microsoft account

If it still doesn’t work after 24 hours, let me know the full error wording again and we’ll take another pass at it with fresh options.

Oh great! Now I have a new alias, but unfortunately it says "the method isn't working right now". PS: the method is entering the phone number.

Thank you for the update, Aiven.

Since the email verification isn’t arriving when you try to add or switch aliases, let’s try isolating and clearing that block first. Here are a few things you can do right away:

1. Check the spam/junk folder

Sometimes Microsoft’s verification email lands in spam, especially if the alias is from a non-Microsoft domain (like Gmail or Yahoo).

2. Manually add Microsoft to your safe sender list

If you're using Outlook, Gmail, or another provider, add the following email to your contacts or safe list:

*** Die E-Mail-Adresse wurde aus Datenschutzgründen entfernt. ***

Then try the alias verification again.

3. Try a different browser or device temporarily

Go to: https://account.live.com/names/Manage

Log in and try resending the verification from a different browser (or incognito/private mode)

This can bypass local browser issues like stale cache or ad-blockers

4. Use a Microsoft-owned domain alias (as a workaround)

If you're trying to verify a third-party email (e.g., Gmail), try adding a new Outlook alias instead:

On the alias management page, choose “Create a new email address and add it as an alias”

Use something like *** Die E-Mail-Adresse wurde aus Datenschutzgründen entfernt. ***

Set that one as primary — it should verify instantly, no external inbox required

Once verified, that temporary alias can help you bypass the current block and allow you to fix the deeper phone number issue afterward.

Update me if this works or not for you.

Hi, thank you so much for putting the time to reply, but unfortunately when i try to verify a new alias or make it primary. It does not send a email to my inbox. I do not know how to solve my previous issue until i solve with this one. On top of that, now it says the system is unavailable.

Hello and thanks for getting in touch. I'm Aileen, and I'm here to provide you advice as an Independent Advisor. Please be reminded that I cannot access or modify your account because this is a public forum.

I can tell this has been a long and frustrating issue — trying to redeem something as simple as a Starbucks card, only to run into phone number and alias problems year after year, without any clear resolution. I really want to help you get closer to a fix that lasts.

Here’s what you can try that goes beyond the typical troubleshooting:

1. Refresh your alias and verification setup:

This step helps when the system recognizes your number for sign-in, but won’t let you add it under verification:

Go to: https://account.live.com/names/Manage

Add a new alias (you can create a new Outlook email for this)

Set the new alias as your primary alias, even temporarily

Wait a few minutes, then go to: https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage

Try adding your phone number again

Once added, you can switch your original alias back as primary if you prefer

This method forces Microsoft’s system to update and clear any stuck data tied to older alias setups.

2. If your number still won’t attach:

There’s a chance it’s still tied to a closed or forgotten account, which blocks it from being used again.

Go to: https://account.live.com/acsr

Use the form to recover the account where the phone number may have been used before

If you don’t remember full details, just fill in what you can — it’s used to confirm identity and unlink old data

This is the only supported way to recover or release a number that the system thinks is already in use.

3. Remove conflicting app permissions:

Sometimes services like Xbox, Starbucks, or Microsoft Rewards can get stuck between old alias data or outdated permissions.

Visit: https://account.live.com/consent/Manage

Remove any apps or services you don’t recognize or no longer use

Then sign out of all devices, wait a few minutes, and sign back in using your preferred alias

This resets your active profile session and can help sync things properly again.

I really hope these steps help with your long-standing concern. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Looking forward to your response.