Change your Facebook phone number in Settings

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to Settings and Privacy (the menu icon in the top right corner). Select Settings, then find Personal Information in the left sidebar. Click Phone Number and you will see your current number listed. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

When you click to edit, Facebook will ask you to enter your new phone number. Type it in exactly as it appears on your phone bill — include the country code if you are outside the United States. Facebook will then send a confirmation code to that new number by text message. Check your text messages, find the code, and enter it back into Facebook to confirm the change is real.

Once you confirm, your old number is removed and the new one takes its place. This usually happens within a few minutes. If you do not receive the text with the confirmation code within a few minutes, check that you typed the number correctly and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your phone number through Settings and Privacy, then Personal Information, then Phone Number — the pencil icon lets you edit.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code by text to your new number, and you must enter that code to complete the change.
  • Your old phone number is removed as soon as you confirm the new one, so you lose access to two-factor authentication on the old number when ready.
  • If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you will need to use a backup method like an authenticator app or recovery codes to confirm the change.

What happens to two-factor authentication when you change your number

If you have turned on two-factor authentication using your phone number, changing that number affects how you log in. Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires you to enter a code from your phone when you sign in from a new device or location. When you change your phone number, Facebook stops sending codes to the old number and starts sending them to the new one.

This means you need the new phone number active and working before you change it in Facebook. If you switch phone numbers but do not update Facebook first, you will not be able to receive the login codes and you could get locked out of your account. The safest order is: set up your new phone number with your carrier, update it in Facebook Settings, then cancel or recycle your old number.

If you no longer have access to your old phone number

If you already switched phone numbers and did not update Facebook first, or if your old phone was lost or stolen, you have other ways to confirm the change. Facebook lets you use a backup authentication method instead of a text code. These include an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator), recovery codes that Facebook gave you when you first set up two-factor authentication, or a trusted device you have already logged into.

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Look for Two-Factor Authentication and click Edit. You will see options to use an authenticator app, recovery codes, or a trusted device. Choose whichever one you still have access to. Once you confirm your identity that way, you can then go back to Personal Information and update your phone number without needing a text code.

Removing your phone number entirely

You do not have to keep a phone number on your Facebook account. If you want to remove it without adding a new one, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone Number. Click the pencil icon and delete the number from the field, leaving it blank. Click Remove when Facebook asks you to confirm.

Removing your phone number means Facebook will no longer send you text messages for two-factor authentication or account recovery. If you lose access to your account later, you will need to use other recovery methods, like a backup email address or recovery codes. Make sure you have at least one other way to get back into your account before you remove your phone number.

Why Facebook asks for a phone number

Facebook uses your phone number for two main reasons: to help you recover your account if you get locked out, and to send security codes if you have turned on two-factor authentication. A phone number is also one way Facebook verifies you are a real person and not a bot. You are not required to add a phone number to use Facebook, but having one makes your account more find and easier to recover.

Facebook does not use your phone number to send you marketing texts or sell it to advertisers. You can control whether Facebook uses your number for account recovery and two-factor authentication separately in your Security and Login settings.

Changing your number on the Facebook app

The steps are the same on the Facebook mobile app as on a computer. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal Information, then Phone Number. Tap the pencil icon, enter your new number, and wait for the confirmation code to arrive by text. Enter the code to finish.

The mobile app works the same way as the website, so if you are more comfortable on your phone, you can make the change there. The confirmation code will still come by text message to your new number, regardless of whether you are using the app or a web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number if I do not have my old phone anymore?

Yes. Use a backup authentication method like an authenticator app, recovery codes, or a trusted device to confirm your identity instead of a text code. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login, then Two-Factor Authentication, and choose Edit to use one of these methods.

How long does it take for Facebook to update my phone number?

The change usually takes effect within a few minutes after you enter the confirmation code. If you do not see the new number in your settings after 10 minutes, try logging out and back in to refresh the page.

Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?

No. Changing your phone number does not log you out. You will stay signed in on all your devices. The only time you might be logged out is if you have two-factor authentication turned on and you try to sign in from a new device or location — then you will need to enter a code sent to your new number.

What if I entered the wrong phone number by mistake?

Go back to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone Number. Click the pencil icon and correct the number. Facebook will send a new confirmation code to the corrected number. You have 10 minutes to enter the code before it expires.

Can I have more than one phone number on my Facebook account?

No. Facebook only stores one phone number per account. If you want to use a different number, you must remove the old one and add the new one through the same Personal Information menu.