The steps to change your phone number
Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in. Click Personal info in the left menu. Find the phone number field and click the pencil icon next to it. You can then delete the old number and enter a new one, or add a second number without removing the first.
Google will send a verification code to the new number you enter. You must type that code back into the form to confirm you own the phone. This step takes a few minutes. Once verified, the new number replaces the old one in your account settings.
If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can skip the verification step by using a recovery email address instead. Google will send a code to that email, which you enter to confirm the change. This route works if your recovery email is current and you can still access it.
Key Takeaways
- You change your phone number through myaccount.google.com under Personal Info, not through Gmail or any other Google app.
- Google sends a verification code to the new number you enter, and you must type it back to confirm the change is real.
- If you cannot receive texts on the new number, you can verify using a recovery email address instead.
- The old number is removed once the new one is verified, so you lose the old number's connection to your account.
- Adding a second phone number without removing the first is possible and useful if you want Google to reach you on multiple devices.
Why you might need to change your phone number
People change their phone number on Google for several reasons. You may have switched carriers or gotten a new phone plan. You might have lost access to your old number because you changed providers or let a prepaid plan expire. Or you could be updating your account after moving to a new country or region where your old number no longer works.
Keeping your phone number current matters because Google uses it to send you security codes when you sign in from a new device, to recover your account if you forget your password, and to notify you of unusual activity. If the number on file is old or disconnected, you may get locked out of your account when you need to prove it is really you.
What happens to your old phone number
Once you verify the new number, Google removes the old one from your account entirely. The old number no longer receives any messages or codes from Google. If someone else later gets that old phone number, they cannot use it to access your account—Google has already disconnected it.
This is why it is important to make sure your new number is correct before you confirm the change. If you enter the wrong number by mistake and verify it, you will have to go through the process again to fix it. Double-check the digits before you submit the verification code.
Adding a second phone number instead of replacing
You do not have to remove your old number. On the same Personal Info page, you can click Add phone number to keep the old one and add a new one at the same time. Google will then have both numbers on file and can use either one to reach you or send security codes.
This is useful if you are switching phones gradually or if you want Google to contact you on multiple devices. You can remove either number later by clicking the pencil icon next to it and selecting delete. You must always have at least one phone number or recovery email on your account so Google can reach you in an emergency.
Recovering your account if you lose access to both numbers
If you change your phone number and then lose access to the new one before you can use it to recover your account, you have other options. Google lets you use a recovery email address, a recovery phone number, or answers to security questions you set up in the past. You can also use a trusted device you have already signed into.
The recovery process can take several days if you cannot verify your identity quickly. Google may ask you to describe your account history, the devices you use, or recent activity to confirm you are the real owner. This is why keeping a recovery email address current is just as important as keeping your phone number current.
Updating your phone number on other Google services
Changing your number on myaccount.google.com updates it across Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, and all other Google services you use. You do not need to change it separately in each app. The change takes effect within a few minutes on all devices and platforms.
If you use Google services on multiple devices—a phone, tablet, and computer—you may need to sign out and sign back in on some of them for the new number to appear everywhere. This is not always necessary, but it ensures all your devices have the latest account information. You can stay signed in during the change; Google handles the update in the background.
What to do if you cannot verify the new number
If you enter a new phone number but do not receive the verification code, first check that you typed the number correctly, including the country code if you are outside the United States. Wait a few minutes—the code can take up to five minutes to arrive. If you still do not see it, check your spam or junk folder in case the text was filtered.
If the code never arrives, click Can't use your phone? on the verification screen. Google will offer to send the code to your recovery email address instead. You can then type the code from that email into the form. If you do not have a recovery email set up, you may need to contact Google Account Recovery to restore access to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my phone number if I do not have access to my old one?
Yes. On the verification screen, click Can't use your phone? and Google will send a code to your recovery email address instead. You type that code to confirm the change. You do not need to receive anything on the old number.
Will changing my phone number sign me out of Gmail or other apps?
No. Changing your phone number does not sign you out. You stay logged in on all your devices. The new number takes effect in the background within a few minutes. You may need to refresh your browser or restart an app to see the change reflected everywhere, but you will not lose access.
What if I want to keep both my old and new phone number on my account?
Click Add phone number instead of replacing the old one. Google will keep both numbers on file and can use either to send you security codes or contact you. You can remove either number later by going back to Personal Info and clicking the pencil icon next to it.
How long does it take for the new phone number to work for security codes?
Once you verify the new number by typing in the code, it is active immediately. Google can send security codes to it right away. The change is usually live across all Google services within a few minutes, though it may take longer on some devices if they are offline.
Can someone else use my old phone number to access my account?
No. Once you remove your old number from your account, it is disconnected permanently. If someone else gets that number later, they cannot use it to sign into your account or receive codes meant for you. Your account is protected as long as your new number is current.