Change your phone number in Facebook settings
To change the phone number Facebook has on file for you, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You'll see a Phone field with your current number. Click next to it to edit, delete the old number, and type in the new one. Facebook will send a confirmation code to the new number—enter it to verify the change is real.
The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new number replaces the old one when ready after you confirm the code. If you don't receive the code, check that you typed the number correctly, including the country code if you're outside the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Phone numbers on Facebook are stored in Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information, where you can edit or remove them anytime.
- Facebook sends a confirmation code to your new number to make sure you actually own it before the change takes effect.
- Removing your phone number entirely is an option if you don't want Facebook to have one on file.
- Your phone number is separate from your login method—changing it won't affect how you sign into your account unless you use that number to log in.
Why Facebook asks for a phone number
Facebook uses phone numbers for two main reasons: account recovery and security. If you forget your password or someone tries to access your account, Facebook can send a code to your phone to verify it's really you. A phone number also helps Facebook detect unusual activity on your account.
You're not required to give Facebook a phone number. Many people skip this step entirely. But if you do add one, it becomes part of your account security setup, so keeping it current matters if you ever need to recover access.
What happens to your old phone number
Once you change your phone number in settings, Facebook stops using the old one. If someone tries to look you up by that old number, they won't find you. The old number is removed from your account completely.
If you switch to a new phone but keep the same number, you don't need to do anything in Facebook settings—the number stays the same. You only change it if the number itself is different.
If you use your phone number to log in
Some people set up their Facebook account to log in using a phone number instead of an email address. If that's you, changing your phone number in settings will change your login method too. After you update it, you'll log in with the new number next time.
If you're not sure whether you use your phone number to log in, check Settings and Privacy > Settings > Login and Password. You'll see all the ways you can sign into your account listed there.
Removing your phone number instead of changing it
You don't have to keep a phone number on file. In the same Personal Information section where you edit it, you can click the X next to your phone number to delete it entirely. Facebook will ask you to confirm, then it's gone.
Removing your number means you won't be able to use it for account recovery if you forget your password. Make sure you have another recovery method set up—usually an email address or a trusted contact—before you delete your phone number.
Troubleshooting a stuck or incorrect number
If the phone number in your settings is wrong and you can't change it, or if you're not receiving the confirmation code, try these steps. First, make sure you're typing the number in the right format—include the country code (like +1 for the United States) if you're outside your home country. Second, wait a few minutes before requesting a new code; sometimes the first one takes time to arrive.
If you still can't receive codes, you may have an old number on file that you no longer have access to. In that case, use a different recovery method—like an email address or a trusted contact—to regain access to your account, then update the phone number from there. If you're locked out completely, Facebook's account recovery tool can walk you through other verification methods.
Keeping your phone number private on your profile
Your phone number in Facebook settings is separate from what shows on your profile. Even if you add a phone number to your account, it doesn't automatically appear on your profile page where other people can see it. Facebook keeps it private by default.
If you've added a phone number to your profile manually (in the About section, for example), that's a different thing—you added it yourself and you can remove it the same way. Check your About section and remove any phone numbers you don't want visible. Your settings phone number stays hidden either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your phone number in settings won't log you out or affect your login. You'll stay signed in on all your devices. The next time you need to sign in, you'll use your email address or username as usual.
Can I use the same phone number on multiple Facebook accounts?
Facebook allows the same phone number on more than one account, but it's not recommended. If you do, Facebook may have trouble sending you the right code during account recovery. It's cleaner to use different numbers for different accounts, or to use email addresses instead.
What if I change my number and then get a new phone with the same number?
If your new phone has the same number as before, you don't need to change anything in Facebook. Your account still has that number on file. Just make sure you can receive text messages on the new phone so you can get recovery codes if you need them.
Does Facebook delete my old phone number from their servers?
When you change your phone number, Facebook stops using the old one for your account. Whether they keep records of it in their system is governed by their data retention policies, which vary. If you want to be thorough, you can review your data read or contact Facebook directly about what information they store.