Change your phone number in Facebook settings
To change the phone number Facebook has on file for your account, open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and select Phone. Click or tap the pencil icon next to your current number, delete it, type in your new number, and click Save Changes. Facebook will send a confirmation code to that new number — enter it to complete the change.
The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to delete your old number first; Facebook lets you replace it directly. If you have multiple phone numbers saved to your account, you can update any of them individually or remove ones you no longer use.
Your phone number on Facebook serves two purposes: it helps you recover your account if you lose access to your email, and it lets people find you by phone number if your privacy settings allow it. Changing it does not affect your login method unless you were using your phone number to sign in instead of your email address.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone to find where your number is stored.
- Click the pencil icon next to your phone number, delete the old one, type the new one, and save — Facebook will text a confirmation code to verify.
- Updating your phone number does not change your password or sign-in method unless you were specifically using your phone to log in.
- If you have multiple numbers saved, you can update or remove any of them without affecting the others.
- Your phone number helps you recover your account and can be used by others to find you, depending on your privacy settings.
Why Facebook asks for a phone number
Facebook uses your phone number as a backup way to get back into your account if you forget your password or lose access to your email. When you try to log in and cannot verify your identity through email, Facebook can text a recovery code to your phone instead. This is one of the fastest ways to regain access without contacting Facebook support.
The second reason is search and contact. If your privacy settings allow it, people can find your account by searching for your phone number. This is useful if you want friends or family to locate you, but you can turn this off in your privacy settings if you prefer not to be found that way.
What happens to your old phone number
When you replace your phone number in Facebook settings, the old number is removed from your account immediately. Facebook does not keep a record of previous numbers you used. If someone tries to use your old phone number to find you on Facebook, they will not see your account.
If you are changing your number because you no longer have access to the old phone, that is fine — you can still update it in settings without having the old phone in your hands. You will not receive a confirmation text on the old number. The confirmation code goes to your new number only.
Updating your phone number on mobile apps
On the Facebook mobile app for iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then Phone. Tap the pencil icon, delete your old number, enter your new one, and tap Save. You will receive a text with a confirmation code on your new number.
The mobile app process is identical to the desktop version — the steps are just laid out differently because of the smaller screen. If you run into trouble on mobile, switching to a computer browser sometimes makes it easier to see all the options at once.
If you do not receive the confirmation code
Facebook sends the confirmation code by text message to the new number you entered. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, check that you typed the number correctly — a single digit wrong will send the code to the wrong phone. You can tap "Resend Code" to try again.
If you still do not receive it after two or three attempts, your phone's text message settings might be blocking it, or your carrier might be filtering it as spam. Try waiting a few more minutes, or restart your phone and attempt the resend again. If the problem continues, you can use your email address to recover your account instead, so you are not locked out.
Changing the phone number used for two-factor authentication
If you have turned on two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification) on your Facebook account, you may have set it to send codes to your phone. When you change your phone number in settings, Facebook automatically updates the number that receives these security codes. You do not need to turn two-factor authentication off and back on.
The next time you log in from a new device or browser, the code will go to your new phone number. Make sure you have access to your new phone before you complete the number change, because you will need it to log in securely going forward.
Removing your phone number entirely
You do not have to keep a phone number on your Facebook account. In the same Phone section of Personal Information, you can click the X or delete button next to your number to remove it completely. This means Facebook cannot text you recovery codes, and people cannot find you by searching your phone number.
If you remove your phone number, make sure you have a working email address on file and access to that email account. Email is the primary way Facebook lets you recover your account if you forget your password. Without either a phone number or a working email, regaining access becomes much harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your phone number in settings does not log you out or require you to log back in. You stay signed in on all your devices. The change takes effect immediately after you confirm the code.
Can I use my new phone number to log in to Facebook?
Facebook lets you log in with either your email address or your phone number. If you want to use your new phone number as a login method, you can, but you do not have to. Most people log in with email and use the phone number only for account recovery.
What if I change my number but do not update Facebook right away?
If you change your phone number in real life but do not update Facebook, recovery codes will go to your old number, which you no longer have. Update Facebook as soon as you get your new phone to avoid being locked out of your account later.
Does changing my phone number affect my Facebook Messenger or other apps?
No. Your phone number change only affects your Facebook account settings. Messenger, Instagram, and other apps linked to your Facebook account are not affected. You do not need to update your number anywhere else.
Can I have multiple phone numbers on my Facebook account?
Yes. You can add more than one phone number to your account by going to the Phone section and clicking Add Phone Number. This is useful if you have a work phone and a personal phone, or if you want a backup number for recovery. You can remove any of them individually.