Working on the go? You can no longer activate Windows with your phone

• Customers have noticed Microsoft's phone lines aren't supporting Windows phone activation anymore
• Support documentation still indicates it's possible despite ongoing struggles
• Looks like you now need internet and a Microsoft account

Microsoft seems to have quietly removed its phone-based, offline Windows activation option, which means that internet access is now effectively required for any users to activate Windows including a Microsoft account,

Although Redmond has not officially announced the removal of phone activation, reports have been circulating the internet for some weeks, with Neowin observing reports in December 2025.

However, a support page does indicate that phone activation is still possible for Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.