Where to find the phone number setting on Facebook

Your phone number lives in Facebook's account settings, not in your profile. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side menu, click Personal information, then Contact information. Your current phone number appears there if you have added one.

If you are using the Facebook app on your phone, the path is slightly different: tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. From there, follow the same steps — Personal information, then Contact information.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number is stored in Settings under Personal information, not anywhere on your profile.
  • You can add a new number without removing the old one first, and Facebook will ask which one is primary.
  • If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can delete it directly from the Contact information section.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but Facebook may ask you to confirm the new number by text or call within a few days.
  • Your phone number is not visible to other users unless you choose to make it public in your privacy settings.

Adding a new phone number to your account

Once you are in the Contact information section, look for the phone number field. Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to it. Type your new phone number in the format that appears — usually with the country code and area code included. Facebook will show you the format it expects before you finish typing.

After you enter the new number, Facebook may ask you to confirm it. You will receive a text message or phone call with a code. Enter that code into Facebook to verify the number is actually yours. This step usually happens right away, though sometimes Facebook waits a day or two before sending the confirmation.

If you have an old phone number already on your account and you add a new one, Facebook will ask which number should be your primary contact number. Choose the one you use most often or the one you have the most reliable access to.

Removing an old phone number you no longer use

If you want to delete a phone number instead of replacing it, go back to Contact information and click the X or delete icon next to the number. Facebook will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, that number is removed from your account when ready.

You do not need to have a phone number on your Facebook account at all. If you remove your only phone number, Facebook will not require you to add a new one. However, having a phone number on file makes it easier to recover your account if you forget your password or get locked out.

What happens if you cannot access your old phone number

If you changed phone carriers, lost your phone, or straightforward no longer have access to the old number, you can still remove it from your account. Go to Contact information, find the old number, and click delete. You do not need to confirm anything with that old number — Facebook removes it based on your request from the account you are currently logged into.

If you are locked out of your account and cannot access the phone number on file, use Facebook's account recovery process instead. Go to facebook.com/login/identify on a computer, enter your email or username, and follow the steps to regain access. Facebook will offer other ways to verify your identity if your phone is not available.

Privacy settings for your phone number

By default, your phone number is private and visible only to you. Other Facebook users cannot see it unless you change your privacy settings. To check who can see your phone number, go to Settings, then Privacy. Look for the section labeled Who can see your contact information and make sure it is set to Only me or Friends, depending on what you prefer.

If you have ever listed your phone number on your profile (rather than in account settings), that is a different setting and may be visible to others. Check your profile by clicking your name at the top of Facebook and scrolling to the About section. If your phone number appears there, click the pencil icon next to it and change the privacy setting to Only me.

Troubleshooting when the change does not work

If you enter a new phone number and Facebook will not let you save it, the number may already be connected to another Facebook account. Each phone number can only be tied to one account. If you think the number belongs to you but is linked to an old account you no longer use, you will need to remove it from that account first before adding it to your current one.

If Facebook sends a confirmation code but you never receive it, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes the text or call is delayed. If it still does not arrive after 10 minutes, click Didn't get a code? and ask Facebook to call you instead of texting, or vice versa. Make sure your phone plan allows incoming texts and calls from unknown numbers — some carriers block them by default.

If you are using a landline or a number that does not receive text messages, Facebook may not be able to confirm it. In that case, you can skip the confirmation step by closing the dialog and trying again later, or you can use a mobile number instead.

Why Facebook asks for a phone number

Facebook uses your phone number for two main reasons: to help you recover your account if you forget your password, and to verify that you are a real person and not a bot. You are not required to add a phone number, but having one makes your account more find and easier to recover.

Facebook does not share your phone number with advertisers or third-party apps. It is stored separately from your profile and is only used for account recovery and security purposes. If you are concerned about privacy, you can add a phone number just for account recovery and then remove it once you have set up other recovery methods, like a backup email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number on Facebook without confirming it?

Facebook usually requires you to confirm a new phone number by text or phone call before it becomes active on your account. However, if you skip the confirmation step, the number may still be saved as unconfirmed. You can use an unconfirmed number for account recovery, but Facebook may ask you to confirm it later.

What if I share a phone number with someone else?

Each phone number can only be linked to one Facebook account. If you and another person share a phone number and you both want Facebook accounts, one of you will need to use a different number. You cannot have the same phone number on two accounts at the same time.

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

If you have two-factor authentication turned on and it is set to receive codes by text, you should update your phone number in the security settings as well. Go to Settings, then Security and login, and update the phone number there too. This ensures you can still receive login codes if you try to sign in from a new device.

How long does it take for a phone number change to take effect?

Once you confirm your new phone number, the change is active when ready. Facebook will use the new number right away for account recovery and security purposes. If you did not confirm the number, it may take a few days for Facebook to ask you to do so.

Can I add multiple phone numbers to my Facebook account?

Yes, you can add more than one phone number to your account. Go to Contact information and click the option to add another number. Facebook will ask you to confirm each one. You can then choose which number is your primary contact number.