How to change your phone number on Facebook
You can change the phone number linked to your Facebook account in your settings. Facebook uses this number to help you recover your account if you get locked out, and to let you log in with a phone number instead of your email. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a phone or computer.
When you change your number, Facebook keeps your old number on file for a short time in case you need to undo the change. If you no longer have access to your old number, you can remove it immediately. Changing your phone number does not affect your password, your friends list, or anything else on your account — it only updates how Facebook can reach you if there is a security issue.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to find your phone number in Facebook.
- Click or tap next to your phone number to edit it, then type your new number and confirm it by entering a code Facebook sends you.
- You can have only one active phone number at a time, though Facebook keeps your old number for a few days in case you want to switch back.
- If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it without adding a new one.
- Changing your phone number does not change your password or log you out of other devices.
Steps to update your phone number on a phone or tablet
Open Facebook and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap Phone.
Tap the pencil icon next to your current phone number. Delete the old number and type your new one, making sure to include the country code and area code. Tap Next. Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new phone number. Enter that code in the box that appears, then tap Confirm. Your phone number is now updated.
Steps to update your phone number on a computer
Log into Facebook and click the downward arrow at the top right of the page. Click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click Phone.
Click the pencil icon next to your phone number. Delete the old number and type your new one with the country and area code. Click Next. Facebook sends a code to your new phone number. Type that code into the confirmation box and click Confirm. Your number is now changed.
What happens if you no longer have access to your old phone number
If your old phone number is no longer active or you cannot receive texts on it, you can still remove it from your account. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone. Click or tap the pencil icon, then click or tap Remove instead of editing. Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the number without adding a new one.
After you remove your old number, you can add a new one whenever you are ready. You do not have to add a new number right away. If you later want to add a phone number back to your account, follow the same steps and choose to add one instead of edit.
Why Facebook asks for a phone number
Facebook uses your phone number as a backup way to recover your account. If someone else tries to log into your account or if you forget your password, Facebook can send a code to your phone to prove it is really you. This is called two-factor authentication, and it makes your account much harder to hack.
Your phone number also lets you log in using your phone instead of your email address. Some people find this faster, especially on mobile devices. Facebook does not share your phone number with other users or with advertisers — it stays private in your account settings.
What to do if you do not receive the confirmation code
If Facebook sends a code to your new phone number and you do not receive it within a few minutes, check that you typed the number correctly. Make sure you included the country code (for example, +1 for the United States) and the area code. If the number is correct, wait a few more minutes — text messages sometimes take time to arrive.
If you still do not receive the code after ten minutes, tap or click Did not get a code? and Facebook will offer to send it again or let you try a different method. If you have a landline or a number that does not receive text messages, you can ask Facebook to call you instead and read the code aloud.
How to remove your phone number without adding a new one
Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone. Click or tap the pencil icon next to your phone number. Instead of typing a new number, click or tap Remove. Facebook will ask you to confirm. After you confirm, your phone number is deleted from your account.
You can add a phone number back at any time by following the same steps and choosing to add one. Removing your phone number does not affect your ability to log in with your email and password, and it does not log you out of your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one phone number on my Facebook account?
No. Facebook lets you store only one active phone number at a time. If you add a new number, it replaces your old one. Facebook keeps your old number for a few days so you can switch back if you made a mistake, but you cannot have two numbers active at the same time.
Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your phone number does not log you out or end your sessions on other devices. You stay logged in on your phone, computer, and tablet. Your password does not change, and your account works exactly the same way.
What if I change my phone number and then forget my password?
You can still recover your account using your new phone number. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgot Password?, and Facebook will send a recovery code to your new phone number. You can also recover your account using your email address if you have one on file.
Does Facebook tell my friends when I change my phone number?
No. Your phone number is private and only you can see it in your settings. Changing it does not show up on your profile or in your friends' notifications. Only you and Facebook know your phone number.