Where to Find the Phone Number Setting

Open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap or click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Look for Personal information in the left menu, then click Contact information. Your current phone number appears here if you have added one.

If you do not see a phone number listed, you can add one from this same screen. The process for adding and changing a number is the same: tap or click the phone number field, delete the old number, and enter your new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number lives in Settings > Personal information > Contact information on both mobile and desktop versions of Facebook.
  • You can change your number at any time without losing your account or your friends list.
  • Facebook uses your phone number to help you recover your account if you forget your password, so keeping it current matters.
  • Your phone number is not visible to other users unless you choose to make it public in your privacy settings.
  • If you cannot find the contact information section, make sure you are logged into the account you want to change.

Steps to Update Your Number on Mobile

On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then Contact information. You will see your current phone number if one is saved.

Tap the phone number field. Delete the old number and type your new one, including the country code if you are outside the United States. Tap Save or Done depending on your phone type. Facebook will send a text message to your new number to confirm the change. Reply to that text or enter the code in the app to finish.

Steps to Update Your Number on Desktop

On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then Contact information. Click the pencil icon next to your phone number to edit it.

Delete the old number and type your new one. Click Save. Facebook will ask you to confirm the new number by text message or by entering a code. You will receive a text at the new number with a code to enter back into Facebook. Once you enter it, the change is complete.

What Happens When You Confirm Your New Number

After you enter the confirmation code, your new phone number becomes active on your account when ready. Your old number is removed. Facebook stores this number in your account settings and uses it to send you security alerts if someone tries to log in from an unfamiliar device, and to help you recover your account if you forget your password.

The change does not affect your friends, your messages, your photos, or anything else on your profile. Your account stays exactly the same — only the phone number attached to it changes. If you added the number for the first time, Facebook may ask if you want to use it for two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your account.

Privacy: Who Can See Your Phone Number

By default, your phone number is private and visible only to you and Facebook. Other users cannot see it on your profile unless you change your privacy settings. To check who can see your number, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Privacy. Look for the section about who can contact you or see your contact information.

If you want to keep your number completely private, leave these settings as they are. If you want friends or the public to be able to see it, you can change the visibility from this menu. Most people leave their phone number private for security reasons.

Troubleshooting: When the Change Does Not Work

If you do not receive a confirmation text after entering your new number, wait a few minutes — the message can take time to arrive. Check that you typed the number correctly, including the area code. If you still do not see the text, try requesting the code again from the Facebook screen.

If you cannot access the contact information section at all, log out of Facebook completely and log back in. Make sure you are using the correct account. If the option is still missing, try using a different browser or device. Some older accounts or accounts with security restrictions may have limited access to this setting — if that is the case, you may need to contact Facebook support through the Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number without losing my account?

Yes. Changing your phone number does not affect your account, friends, messages, or photos. It only updates the contact information Facebook has on file for you. Your account remains exactly as it was.

What if I no longer have access to my old phone number?

You can still change it. Enter your new number in the contact information field and Facebook will send the confirmation code to the new number instead. You do not need access to the old number to make the change.

Do I have to add a phone number to Facebook?

No. A phone number is optional. However, adding one helps you recover your account if you forget your password, and it allows Facebook to send you security alerts. Most users find it worth adding for these reasons.

Will my friends see that I changed my phone number?

No. Your friends will not be notified of the change, and they cannot see your phone number unless you have made it public in your privacy settings. The change is private to your account.

Can I change my phone number on the Facebook website instead of the app?

Yes. The steps are the same on both. Go to Settings > Personal information > Contact information on either the website or the mobile app, and the process works the same way.