Where to find the phone number setting on Facebook

Your phone number on Facebook lives in your personal information settings, not in your password or security area. On the desktop version, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, click Personal information. You'll see a section labeled Contact information — that's where your phone number appears.

On mobile, the path is similar but the menu looks different. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then Contact information. The phone number field will be visible there.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number is stored under Settings > Personal information > Contact information, not in the security or password section.
  • You can add a new number, remove an old one, or change which number is listed as primary — all from the same screen.
  • Facebook does not send a confirmation text to your old number when you change it, so you won't lose access to your account by updating.
  • If you've lost access to your old phone number, you can still change it using your current email address or a recovery email you set up earlier.

Steps to add or change your phone number

Once you're in the Contact information section, look for the phone number field. If you already have a number listed, you'll see an edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to it. Click or tap that button to open the field for editing.

Delete the old number and type in your new one. Make sure you include the country code if you're in a country other than the United States — for example, +44 for the UK or +1 for Canada. Facebook will accept the number in several formats, but including the country code prevents confusion. After you've entered the new number, click Save or tap the checkmark to confirm the change.

If you don't have a phone number listed yet and want to add one, look for an Add phone number or Add contact information button in that same section. The process is identical — type the number with the country code and save.

What happens if you have multiple phone numbers

Facebook allows you to store more than one phone number on your account. If you've added several numbers over the years, you can see all of them in the Contact information section. Each number will have options to edit or remove it.

One number is marked as your primary number — this is the one that appears on your profile if you've made your phone number visible to others. To change which number is primary, look for a radio button or selection option next to each number. Select the one you want to be primary, then save. You can remove any secondary numbers by clicking the delete or remove button next to them.

If you no longer have access to your old phone number

You don't need access to your old phone number to change it. Facebook doesn't send a confirmation code to your old number or require you to verify the change through text message. straightforward navigate to the Contact information section, edit the field, and save the new number. The change takes effect when ready.

If you're worried about account security because someone else might have your old number, you can take additional steps. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Security and login. Review the list of devices and browsers that have logged into your account, and remove any you don't recognize. You can also set up two-factor authentication using an authenticator app instead of SMS, which doesn't rely on your phone number.

Why Facebook asks for a phone number

Facebook uses your phone number for two main purposes: account recovery and security. If you forget your password or lose access to your email, Facebook can send you a code via text message to help you regain access. The second purpose is two-factor authentication — an optional security feature that requires a code from your phone when you log in from a new device.

Your phone number is not visible to other users by default. If you want to keep it completely private, you can adjust who sees your contact information. In the Contact information section, look for privacy settings next to your phone number — usually a globe icon or audience selector. Click it and choose Only me or Friends, depending on your preference.

Troubleshooting if the change won't save

If you try to save a new phone number and the change doesn't stick, the most common reason is a formatting error. Make sure you've included the country code at the beginning — a number without it may not save properly. Try removing any spaces, dashes, or parentheses and entering only the digits and the plus sign.

If the number still won't save, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log back into Facebook. On mobile, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If you're using an older version of the Facebook app, update it to the latest version from your device's app store. If none of these steps work, you can report the problem to Facebook through the Help Center, though Facebook's support for account settings issues is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Facebook notify my old phone number that I changed it?

No. Facebook does not send any message to your old number when you change your phone number. The change is silent and when ready. If someone else has your old number, they won't receive any notification from Facebook about the change.

Can I use a landline or VoIP number instead of a mobile number?

Facebook will accept a landline or VoIP number in the contact information field, but two-factor authentication via SMS will not work with these numbers. If you want to use two-factor authentication for security, you'll need a mobile number that can receive text messages. You can still store a landline as a secondary contact number for account recovery purposes.

What if I share a phone number with someone else?

Each Facebook account needs its own phone number. If you and another person share a phone line, you'll need to use different numbers for your separate accounts — for example, your mobile number and their mobile number. You cannot use the same phone number for two different Facebook accounts.

Does changing my phone number affect my two-factor authentication?

If you have two-factor authentication turned on and set to receive codes via SMS, your new phone number will automatically receive those codes once you've saved the change. You don't need to turn two-factor authentication off and back on. If you want to use an authenticator app instead of SMS, you can change that setting in Security and login.