Where to Find the Phone Number Setting
Your phone number lives in Facebook's account settings, not in your profile. Open Facebook on any browser or the mobile app, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right on mobile, or look for the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Once you are in Settings, look for the section labeled Personal Information or Account depending on your device. The phone number field appears here alongside your email address and other contact details. If you do not see it when ready, scroll down—Facebook sometimes reorganizes where this setting appears based on app updates.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone number is stored in Settings under Personal Information, not on your public profile.
- You can add a new number without removing the old one first, then delete the old number afterward.
- Facebook sends a confirmation code to your new number before the change takes effect.
- If you no longer have access to your old number, you can skip the confirmation step and verify using your email instead.
- Changes take effect when ready once confirmed, but Facebook may take a few hours to update across all its services.
The Step-by-Step Process for Adding a New Number
Tap or click on the phone number field. If you already have a number listed, you will see an option to Add Phone Number or Edit next to it. Select Add Phone Number if you want to keep your old number temporarily, or Edit if you want to replace it directly.
Type your new phone number in the field that appears. Make sure you include the country code if you are changing to a number in a different country—for example, +1 for the United States, +44 for the United Kingdom. Facebook will not accept the number without the correct format.
After you enter the number, Facebook displays a confirmation screen. Tap Next or Continue. Within a few seconds, you should receive a text message (SMS) containing a six-digit code. Enter this code into the box Facebook shows you. If the code does not arrive within two minutes, tap Resend Code.
Once you enter the correct code, Facebook confirms the change. The new number now appears in your account settings. If you added the new number without removing the old one, go back to the phone number field and delete the old number by tapping the X or trash icon next to it.
What to Do If You Cannot Receive the Confirmation Code
If you no longer have access to your old phone number or the new number is not receiving texts, Facebook offers an alternative. On the confirmation screen, look for a link that says Do not have access to your phone? or Having trouble? Tap this option.
Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using your email address instead. You will receive a confirmation link in the email associated with your account. Click that link, and Facebook will complete the phone number change without requiring the text code. This process takes the same amount of time but bypasses the SMS requirement entirely.
If you cannot access your email either, you may need to use Facebook's account recovery tools. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgotten Password?, and follow the prompts to regain access to your account before attempting to change your phone number.
Removing Your Phone Number Completely
You do not have to keep a phone number on file. If you want to remove it entirely, go to Settings, find your phone number in Personal Information, and tap the X or delete icon next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal. Once you confirm, the number is deleted from your account.
Removing your number does not affect your ability to use Facebook. However, if you ever forget your password, Facebook uses your phone number as one way to help you regain access to your account. Without it, you will rely only on your email address for recovery.
Why Facebook Asks for Your Phone Number
Facebook stores your phone number for account security and recovery. If someone tries to log into your account from an unfamiliar location, Facebook may send a code to your phone to verify it is really you. Your number also helps Facebook find your account if you forget your password.
Your phone number is not displayed on your public profile unless you choose to add it there separately. The number in your settings is private and visible only to you and Facebook. If you want to hide your number from other users, make sure you do not add it to your profile information section.
Timing and What Happens After You Change It
The change takes effect when ready after you confirm the code. However, Facebook's systems may take a few hours to update everywhere. If you use Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp (all owned by Meta), those services may not reflect the new number right away. This is normal and usually resolves within 24 hours.
If you use two-factor authentication on your Facebook account, you may need to update that setting separately. Two-factor authentication is different from your phone number on file—it is an extra security layer that sends codes when you log in. Check your Security and Login settings to see if your two-factor method needs updating.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is typing the number in the wrong format. Facebook requires the country code at the beginning (the + symbol and the country's calling code). If you enter a number without it, Facebook will reject it or assign it to the wrong country. Double-check the format before submitting.
Another mistake is deleting your old number before confirming the new one. If you remove the old number first and then the confirmation code does not arrive on your new number, you will have no way to verify the change. Always confirm the new number works before removing the old one.
Do not confuse your phone number setting with adding your number to your profile. These are two separate things. Your settings number is private; your profile number is public. If you only want to change the private number Facebook uses for account recovery, change it in Settings. If you want to display a phone number on your profile for others to see, that is a different step in your profile information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two phone numbers on my Facebook account at the same time?
Yes. When you add a new number, you can keep the old one until you are sure the new one is working. After you confirm the new number, go back to the phone number field and delete the old one. Facebook will not let you keep both permanently, but you can overlap them briefly during the transition.
What if I typed my phone number wrong and confirmed it?
Go back to Settings, find your phone number, and tap Edit or the X icon to remove it. Then add the correct number and go through the confirmation process again. There is no penalty for correcting a mistake.
Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your phone number does not log you out or affect your current sessions. You will stay logged in on all your devices. The change only updates the number Facebook uses for account recovery and security codes.
Do I have to give Facebook my phone number?
No. A phone number is optional. You can use Facebook with only an email address. However, having a phone number on file makes it easier to recover your account if you forget your password, since Facebook can send a code to your phone instead of only to your email.
How long does it take for the new number to work for two-factor authentication?
If you use two-factor authentication, the new phone number should work when ready after you confirm it. However, if you set up two-factor authentication with your old number, you may need to update that setting separately in your Security and Login settings to use the new number for those codes.