What an authorized user is and why you might add one

An authorized user on your AT&T account is someone you give permission to manage the account — make changes to plans, add or remove lines, pay bills, or contact customer service on your behalf. You stay the account owner and remain responsible for all charges, but the authorized user can handle day-to-day decisions without needing your approval each time.

People typically add authorized users when they want a spouse, adult child, or business manager to handle account tasks without sharing their full login credentials. This is safer than giving someone your password, because you can remove their access at any time and they cannot change the account owner or permanently alter core settings.

AT&T lets you add multiple authorized users, and each one can have different permission levels — some might only view the bill, while others can make changes to service or authorize payments.

Key Takeaways

  • You add an authorized user through your AT&T online account, the AT&T mobile app, or by calling customer service at 611 from an AT&T phone.
  • The person you add does not need to be on the account already — you provide their name, phone number, and email address.
  • You choose what permissions each authorized user has, from viewing the bill only to making full account changes.
  • Removing an authorized user takes seconds and when ready revokes all their access to the account.

Adding an authorized user through your online account

Log into your AT&T account at att.com using your username and password. Once you are signed in, look for "Account" or "Settings" in the main menu — the exact location varies depending on whether you have wireless, internet, or TV service, but it is always in the top navigation.

Find the section labeled "Authorized Users" or "Manage Authorized Users." Click the button to add a new user. You will be asked for the person's full name, phone number, and email address. The phone number does not have to be an AT&T number — it can be any mobile or landline where they can receive a verification code.

After you enter their information, AT&T sends a verification code to the phone number you provided. The person you are adding must receive that code and enter it to confirm they consent to being an authorized user. This step prevents someone from adding themselves without your knowledge.

Once they verify, you will see a screen asking which permissions to grant. You can choose whether they can view the bill, make changes to service, authorize payments, or manage other authorized users. Select the permissions that match what you actually need them to do, then save.

Adding an authorized user through the AT&T mobile app

Open the AT&T mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Account" and then look for "Authorized Users" or a similar option under account settings.

Tap "Add Authorized User" and enter the same information you would on the website: their name, phone number, and email. They will receive a verification code by text or call to the phone number you provided. Once they enter that code in the app, you will be shown the permissions screen.

The app version works identically to the website — you choose what the person can and cannot do, and those permissions take effect when ready after you save.

Adding an authorized user by phone

Call 611 from any AT&T phone, or call 1-800-331-0500 from any other phone. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user to your account. They will verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting information from your account.

Once verified, provide the authorized user's full name, phone number, and email address. The representative will explain what permissions are available and ask which ones you want to grant. AT&T will then send a verification code to the phone number you provided, and the person must confirm it before the access becomes active.

This method takes longer than the online or app route — typically 10 to 15 minutes on the phone — but it is useful if you do not have access to your account online or prefer to speak with someone directly.

Understanding permission levels for authorized users

AT&T offers different permission tiers, and you choose which one fits each authorized user. A user with view-only access can see the bill, account details, and service information but cannot make any changes or authorize payments. This is useful for someone who just needs to understand what is on the bill.

A user with billing and payment authority can view the bill and make payments, but cannot change service plans or add or remove lines. This works well for someone managing household finances.

A user with full account management can make almost any change — add lines, change plans, authorize payments, and manage other authorized users. You should only grant this level to someone you trust completely, because they can make expensive changes without asking you first.

You can change a user's permissions at any time by going back to the Authorized Users section and editing their access level. The change takes effect when ready.

Removing an authorized user

If you no longer want someone to have access to your account, removing them is straightforward. Go to the Authorized Users section in your account settings (online, app, or by phone), find the person's name, and select "Remove" or "Delete."

The removal is when ready — they lose all access to your account when ready and cannot view the bill, make changes, or contact AT&T on your behalf anymore. You do not need to notify them in advance, though it is courteous to let them know if they were relying on that access for legitimate reasons.

If you remove someone by mistake, you can add them back using the same process, and they will need to verify again with the code sent to their phone number.

What authorized users cannot do

Even with full account management permissions, an authorized user cannot change the account owner. Only AT&T customer service can transfer ownership, and they require the current owner to request it directly. This protects you from someone taking over your account entirely.

An authorized user also cannot close the account, change the billing address to a different address than what is on file, or remove all authorized users (including themselves). These restrictions exist to prevent someone from locking you out of your own account.

If an authorized user tries to make a change that exceeds their permissions, AT&T will deny the request and may ask for the account owner to approve it instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who is not on my account as an authorized user?

Yes. The person does not need to be a customer on your account or have an AT&T phone number. You just need their name, phone number (any type), and email address. They verify by receiving a code on the phone number you provide.

What happens if I add an authorized user and they never verify the code?

They will not have access to your account until they verify. The invitation does not expire when ready, but AT&T may remove pending invitations after a certain period if they are not completed. You can always send a new invitation by adding them again.

Can an authorized user see my password or login information?

No. Authorized users log in with their own credentials and see only what you have permitted them to see. They never receive or see your password, and you do not have to share it with them.

If I add my spouse as an authorized user, can they change my plan without telling me?

Only if you grant them full account management permissions. You control what they can do. If you want them to see the bill but not make changes, choose view-only or billing-only access instead.

How many authorized users can I add to one AT&T account?

AT&T allows multiple authorized users per account, though there is no published limit. Most people add between one and three. If you need to add more than five, contact AT&T customer service to confirm there are no restrictions for your account type.