The fastest way to change your phone number on Facebook
Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to Settings and Privacy, then select Settings. Click Personal Information on the left side, then Phone. You'll see your current number listed. Click next to it, enter your new phone number, and Facebook will send a confirmation code to that new number. Type the code into the box on your screen, and the change is complete.
The whole process takes about two minutes. Facebook doesn't delete your old number when ready — it stays linked to your account for a few days in case you need to reverse the change. After that window closes, the old number is removed.
Key Takeaways
- You change your phone number in Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone, not in a separate security or account section.
- Facebook sends a confirmation code to your new number before the change takes effect, so you must have access to that phone to complete the process.
- Your old number stays linked to your account for several days after the change, which lets you undo it if you made a mistake.
- If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it without adding a new one, but you'll lose that recovery method.
- Changing your phone number does not affect your password, two-factor authentication settings, or any other security features.
Why you might want to change your phone number on Facebook
Your phone number on Facebook serves two purposes: it's a way for people to find you if they search for it, and it's a backup way to recover your account if you get locked out. When you change your actual phone number in real life — because you switched carriers, got a new phone, or moved to a different country — you should update Facebook so the recovery method still works.
You might also change it for privacy reasons. If you no longer want people to be able to search for you by phone number, you can remove the number entirely instead of replacing it. That's a separate step covered below.
Step-by-step: changing your number on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. You'll see Phone listed there. Tap the phone number or the edit icon next to it.
Delete the old number and type in your new one. Facebook will show you a confirmation screen. Tap Confirm. Within seconds, Facebook sends a text message with a six-digit code to your new phone number. Type that code into the box on your screen and tap Confirm again. Your number is now updated.
If you don't receive the code within a minute, tap Didn't Get Code and Facebook will offer to send it again or call you instead.
Step-by-step: changing your number on a computer
Go to facebook.com and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You'll see Phone listed in the main section. Click next to your current number or click the edit icon (pencil).
Clear the old number and type your new one. Click Change Phone Number. Facebook displays a confirmation screen showing the new number. Click Confirm, and a text message with a six-digit code goes to your new phone. Enter that code in the box on your screen and click Confirm. The change is saved when ready.
What to do if you don't have access to your old phone number anymore
If you've already switched phone numbers and no longer have the old one, you can still remove it from Facebook without adding a new one. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone. Click the X or delete icon next to your old number. Facebook will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click Remove, and the old number is gone.
You can add a new number later using the same steps above. If you want to add a new number right away, you can do that in the same screen — just click Add Phone Number and follow the confirmation process.
Removing your phone number entirely from Facebook
If you don't want a phone number on your Facebook account at all, you can delete it without replacing it. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone. Click the X or delete icon next to your number and confirm the removal.
Keep in mind that removing your phone number means you lose one way to recover your account if you forget your password or get locked out. Facebook will still let you recover your account using your email address or a trusted contact, but having a phone number on file is an extra safety layer. You can always add a number back later if you change your mind.
How to control who can see your phone number
By default, your phone number is visible only to you — other people cannot search for you by phone number or see it on your profile. You can verify this in the same Personal Information section. Next to your phone number, you'll see a privacy icon (usually a lock or a circle with lines). Click it to see who can see your number. Facebook usually sets this to "Only Me," which is the most private option.
If you want to change who can see it, click that privacy icon and choose from the options: Only Me, Friends, Friends Except, Specific Friends, or Public. Most people leave it on Only Me for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number affect my two-factor authentication?
No. Two-factor authentication is a separate security setting. If you use your phone number for two-factor authentication, you'll need to update that setting separately in Security and Login settings, not in Personal Information. Facebook will prompt you to do this if needed.
Can I change my phone number if I'm locked out of my account?
No. You must be logged in to change your phone number. If you're locked out, you'll need to recover your account first using your email address or a trusted contact. Once you're back in, you can update your phone number.
How long does it take for the change to show up everywhere?
The change is when ready on your account. If you use your phone number to log in or for account recovery, it works right away. If anyone was searching for you by your old number, they won't find you that way anymore.
What if I enter the wrong number by mistake?
You have a few days to undo the change. Go back to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone, and you'll see an option to revert to your previous number. After that window closes, you'll need to add the correct number as a new entry.
Can I have more than one phone number on my Facebook account?
Facebook lets you add multiple phone numbers to your account. In the Personal Information section, click Add Phone Number to add a second one. Each number goes through the same confirmation process. You can remove any of them individually.