Where to Find the Phone Number Setting

Your phone number on Facebook lives in your personal 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, click Personal information. You will see a section called Contact information — your phone number appears there if you have added one before.

If you are on a mobile phone, the menu looks slightly different. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then scroll to Personal information and tap Contact information.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number is stored in Settings under Personal information, in the Contact information section, not on your public profile.
  • You can add a new number without removing the old one first, and Facebook will ask you to confirm the new number by text message.
  • Removing your phone number from Facebook does not delete it from your account recovery options — Facebook keeps it on file for security.
  • If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can still add a new one, but you may not be able to remove the old one without contacting Facebook support.

Adding a New Phone Number

Click the + button or Add link next to your phone number in the Contact information section. Type in your new phone number, including the country code if you are outside the United States. Facebook will send a confirmation code to that number by text message.

Open the text message and copy the code Facebook sends you. Return to Facebook and paste the code into the confirmation box. Once you confirm, the new number is added to your account. You can now have multiple phone numbers linked to your Facebook account at the same time.

Removing Your Old Phone Number

After you have added and confirmed your new number, you can remove the old one. In the Contact information section, find the phone number you want to delete and click the X or Remove button next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal.

If you no longer have access to your old phone number — for example, if you switched carriers or lost the phone — you may not be able to remove it through settings. In that case, you can leave it in your account, or contact Facebook support through the Help Center to request removal. Facebook support can be slow to respond, so removing it yourself is faster if you still have access to the old number.

What Happens to Your Old Number

Removing a phone number from your Facebook account does not erase it from Facebook's records. Facebook keeps old phone numbers on file for account recovery and security purposes. If you ever lose access to your account, Facebook may use that old number to help you regain access, even after you have removed it from your settings.

This is a security feature, not a privacy breach. Your old number will not appear on your profile or be visible to other people. Only you and Facebook support can see it, and only if you need to recover your account.

Changing Your Number on Mobile Apps

The process is the same on the Facebook mobile app as it is on a computer. Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, then Contact information. Tap the + to add a new number, confirm it by text, and remove the old one if you want.

If you use Facebook Messenger as a separate app, your phone number settings are the same — they pull from your main Facebook account. You do not need to change anything in Messenger separately.

Troubleshooting: Confirmation Code Not Arriving

If Facebook sends a confirmation code but you do not receive it, wait a few minutes — text messages can be delayed. Check your spam or junk folder in case your phone filtered it. If you still do not see it after five minutes, go back to Facebook and click Resend code or Send code again.

If you are using a landline or a number that does not receive text messages, you will not be able to confirm it through this method. Facebook only sends confirmation codes by SMS text. If your new number cannot receive texts, you may need to use a different number or contact Facebook support for other recovery options.

Why Facebook Asks for a Phone Number

Facebook uses your phone number for two main reasons: account recovery and security. If you forget your password or someone else tries to access your account, Facebook can send a code to your phone to verify it is really you. A phone number also helps Facebook detect suspicious activity and protect your account from hackers.

Your phone number is not required to use Facebook. You can delete it entirely from your account if you prefer. However, without a phone number on file, recovering a locked or hacked account becomes much harder. Most people keep at least one phone number linked for this reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number without confirming it by text?

No. Facebook requires you to confirm any new phone number by text message before it becomes active on your account. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from adding a phone number they control to your account. You must have access to the new number to complete the change.

Will my contacts see my new phone number on Facebook?

No. Your phone number does not appear on your public profile unless you choose to add it there separately. The phone number in your Contact information section is private and visible only to you and Facebook. Your friends cannot see it unless you publish it on your profile yourself.

What if I deleted my old phone number but now need it for account recovery?

Contact Facebook support through the Help Center and explain that you need to recover your account. Facebook can verify your identity through other means, such as email or security questions, and may be able to help you regain access without the old phone number. The process can take several days.

Can I use the same phone number on multiple Facebook accounts?

Yes, you can link the same phone number to more than one Facebook account. Facebook does not restrict one number to one account. However, if you use the same number for account recovery on multiple accounts, you may have trouble recovering one of them if you forget which account it is tied to.

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

If you have set up two-factor authentication using your phone number, changing your number will affect it. You should update your two-factor authentication settings to use your new number. Go to Settings, then Security and login, find Two-factor authentication, and update the phone number there as well.