Unable to login to ATT email for 24+ hours, login demands cellphone

Hi there, @dixonjh84! We understand the importance of being able to access your email for work and want to clear some things up about the wireless number that's being requested. 

The message asking you to add a wireless number for your email is to help ensure your account security. This is a requirement, and there is no workaround for it. 

The phone number that is used as a recovery option for your email must be a cell phone number. If you don't have a cell number to use, you won't be able to set up that recovery option. This is because if/when you get locked out of your email, a temporary password would be sent to you via text, and not a phone call.

We've got a great article that covers what you need to do to set up text messages for password resets. Here's how you can add a wireless number:

If you don't have an AT&T Wireless number:

1. Go to Profile, then Contact info.
2. On the Phone tab, select Edit in the Billing phone numbers section.
3. Enter your wireless number as the primary or secondary number.
4. Check the box next to Use this number to recover your user ID or reset your password.
5. Select Save.
6. Complete any confirmation steps sent to your wireless number within 24 hours. Text message rates and other charges may apply. Check with your plan and provider.

If you have an AT&T Wireless number:

It's easier to reset your password if you assign your AT&T Wireless number to your user ID. 

1. Go to your myAT&T Profile. Sign in, if asked.
2. Scroll to Sign-in info.
3. Select Edit or Remove for your recovery phone.
4. Edit your details:

• If assigning or changing a number, enter the verification code sent to the number.
• If removing a number, follow the prompts.

       5 . Save your changes.

Please feel free to reach back out if you need help in the future. Thank you for contacting the AT&T Community Forums!

Lacey, AT&T Community Specialist 

SO, are you saying that nobody (who wants to have AT&T email and be secure) can do it unless they OWN A CELL/WIRELESS/MOBILE PHONE?  Your instructions say "If you don't have an AT&T wireless number".... and go on to say "Enter your wireless number..."

DIDN'T  some people (like myself, and others who have been complaining) use AT&T email with ONLY A  LAND LINE PHONE  in the  past?   Was a recovery alternate email address ever used rather than a required cell phone?

FOR MYSELF ALONE:  I have an ancient "dumb" cell phone: the charger is lost and I have got along without it for a long time. Maybe not any more?

...Note I have a KIndle which is logged in to AT&T email now (no cell phone was used), so I was able to get the OTP  that was sent when I tried to join this email forum.  I'm not sure what will happen if I logout on my KIndle email.

We're here to shed light on your email inquiry, @nbeth.

Just as previously mentioned you will need either an AT&T wireless number or a non AT&T wireless number. Having this added to your profile is just an extra layer of security in case you are ever locked out. 

If you don't have any options to use as far as Wireless phone numbers go, there are safe third party programs that can act as a virtual cell phone where you can receive text messages. If you'd like to take that route, you'll need to do some research to find out which one will best suit your needs.

Let us know if you have any other questions or concerns! Thank you for visiting the AT&T Community Forums.

CalebP, AT&T Community Specialist