How do I add an alternative email address for account recovery?

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Short Answer

Add an alternative account recovery email address in the user details in the Microsoft 365 admin center. The address should be externally reachable and should not be the user’s own Microsoft 365 address.

Requirements

• Access to the Microsoft 365 admin center
• An administrator role with user management permissions
• An external email address that the user or an authorized administrator can access

Steps

1. Open the Microsoft 365 admin center.
2. Go to Users > Active users.
3. Select the affected user.
4. Open the user details and find the area for the alternate email address.
5. Add an external alternative email address.
6. Save the change.

Result

The alternative email address is stored for the user and can be used for account recovery or security information.

Note

Where possible, use a personal or organizationally secured address that the user or an authorized administrator can access.