Change Your Phone Number in Facebook Settings

To change the phone number Facebook has on file for your account, open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings. On the left side, select Personal Information, then click Phone Number. You'll see the number currently linked to your account. Click the pencil icon next to it, delete the old number, type in your new one, and click Save Changes.

Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new number by text message. Enter that code into the box that appears on your screen to verify the number is yours. Once you confirm it, the change is complete and your account is now linked to your new phone number.

If you don't receive the confirmation text within a few minutes, check that you typed the number correctly—including the country code if you're outside the United States. You can request the code be sent again by clicking Resend Code.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your phone number through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone Number on any device.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code by text to your new number, and you must enter it to complete the change.
  • The old number is removed from your account as soon as you confirm the new one.
  • If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it without adding a new one first.
  • Two-factor authentication settings may need adjustment if you were using your old number for security codes.

Why You Might Need to Update Your Phone Number

You may change your phone number for several reasons: you switched carriers, got a new phone, moved to a different country, or straightforward want to use a different number for your account. Facebook uses your phone number for account recovery if you get locked out, for two-factor authentication if you've turned that on, and to help you find friends who have your number saved in their contacts.

If you've already changed your phone number with your carrier but haven't updated Facebook, your old number is still linked to your account. This means if you lose access to your account, Facebook might try to send a recovery code to a number you no longer own—which could be a security problem.

What Happens to Your Old Phone Number

When you confirm your new phone number, Facebook when ready removes the old one from your account. The old number is no longer associated with your Facebook profile. If someone else gets that phone number later, they won't be able to use it to recover your account or receive your two-factor authentication codes.

However, if you had set up two-factor authentication using your old phone number, that setting stays turned on. You'll need to update your two-factor authentication method separately so that codes go to your new number instead. You can do this in Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication.

Removing Your Phone Number Without Adding a New One

If you want to remove your phone number from Facebook but don't have a new one to add, you can do that. In Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone Number, click the pencil icon and select Remove. Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to delete it. Once you do, the number is gone from your account.

Removing your phone number means Facebook can no longer use it to help you recover your account if you get locked out. You'll still be able to recover your account using your email address, but the process may take longer. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, make sure you have another recovery method set up before you remove your phone number.

Updating Two-Factor Authentication After Changing Your Number

If you use two-factor authentication on Facebook, your account requires a security code each time you log in from a new device. If that code was being sent to your old phone number, you need to update it so codes go to your new number instead.

Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication. You'll see which method is currently active—it might say "Text message to [old number]" or "Authentication app". If it's set to text message, click Edit and change it to your new phone number. If you're using an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, you don't need to change anything because those apps don't rely on your phone number.

Troubleshooting: Not Receiving the Confirmation Code

If Facebook sends a confirmation code to your new number but you don't receive it, first check that you entered the number correctly. Make sure you included the country code if you're outside the United States—for example, +44 for the United Kingdom or +1 for Canada and the US.

Wait a few minutes and check your text messages again. Sometimes carriers delay SMS delivery. If you still don't see the code, click Resend Code in the Facebook window. If you've requested the code multiple times and still haven't received it, try again in a few hours—your carrier or Facebook's SMS service may be experiencing a temporary issue.

If you're using a VoIP number (a phone number that works through the internet rather than a traditional carrier), Facebook may not be able to send codes to it. Try using a traditional mobile or landline number instead. If you absolutely cannot receive texts on any number, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center to explore other recovery options.

Changing Your Number on Mobile App vs. Desktop

The steps are the same whether you're using the Facebook app on your phone or the website on a computer. Open Facebook, go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the down arrow on desktop), select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. From there, navigate to Personal Information > Phone Number and make your change.

On mobile, the menu button is usually at the bottom right of your screen. On desktop, it's in the top right corner next to your profile picture. Either way, the process takes the same amount of time and requires the same confirmation code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number if I don't have access to my old phone anymore?

Yes. When you go to change your number, Facebook doesn't require you to verify the old one—it only asks you to verify the new one. Type in your new number, and Facebook will send the confirmation code to that new number. You don't need the old phone at all.

Will changing my phone number affect my Facebook friends or my account settings?

No. Your friends, photos, messages, and all other account settings stay exactly the same. Only the phone number on file changes. Your friends won't be notified that you changed it.

What if I change my mind and want to use my old phone number again?

You can add your old phone number back to your account anytime by going through the same process: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone Number. Facebook will send a confirmation code to that number, and once you verify it, it's linked to your account again.

Do I need to change my phone number on Instagram or WhatsApp if I change it on Facebook?

No. Each app manages its own phone number separately, even though Facebook owns all three. If you want your phone number updated on Instagram or WhatsApp, you'll need to change it in those apps individually using their own settings.

How long does it take for the change to go into effect?

The change is when ready once you confirm the verification code. Your new phone number is active on your account right away and can be used for account recovery and two-factor authentication.