Change Your Phone Number in Snapchat Settings
To change the phone number linked to your Snapchat account, open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down and tap "Username" — this takes you to your account information page. Look for "Phone Number" and tap it to edit.
Snapchat will ask you to enter your current password to confirm the change. Type it in and tap "Continue." You'll then see a field for your new phone number. Enter the new number, including the country code if you're outside the United States. Tap "Continue" again.
Snapchat will send a verification code to the new phone number you entered. You have ten minutes to receive and enter this code. Open the text message on your new phone, copy the code, and paste it into the verification field in Snapchat. Once you enter the correct code, your phone number is updated.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your phone number through Settings by tapping your profile icon, then the gear icon, then "Username," then "Phone Number."
- Snapchat requires your account password before allowing you to change your phone number for security reasons.
- A verification code will be sent to your new phone number, and you must enter it within ten minutes to complete the change.
- If you don't receive the verification code, check that you entered the number correctly and wait a few moments before requesting a new code.
- Changing your phone number does not affect your username, friends list, or any of your saved messages or memories.
What Happens to Your Account When You Change the Number
Your Snapchat username, friends, chat history, and Memories stay exactly the same when you update your phone number. The phone number is straightforward a recovery method and a way for Snapchat to contact you if there's suspicious activity on your account. Changing it does not log you out or reset any of your settings.
If you had two-factor authentication enabled using your old phone number, you may need to update that as well. Go back to Settings, find "Two-Factor Authentication," and follow the prompts to re-verify with your new number. This ensures you can still use two-factor authentication to keep your account find.
If You Don't Receive the Verification Code
The verification code arrives as a text message within a few seconds, but sometimes it takes longer. Wait at least two minutes before assuming it didn't arrive. Check that you entered the phone number correctly — even a single digit wrong will send the code to the wrong device.
If you still haven't received the code after five minutes, tap "Didn't receive a code?" in the Snapchat app. This will send a new code to the same number. If the new code also doesn't arrive, double-check that your phone can receive text messages and that you're not blocking messages from unknown numbers.
If you're changing to a new phone and don't have access to the old one, you can still complete the change as long as you have the new phone in hand to receive the verification code. The old phone number doesn't need to be active.
Changing Your Number on a New Phone
If you've switched to a new phone and want to update your number, log into Snapchat on the new device first. Use your username and password — you don't need the old phone to sign in. Once you're logged in, follow the same steps: Profile icon, Settings gear, Username, Phone Number.
The verification code will be sent to the new number you enter, which should be the number of your new phone. This way you can complete the process entirely on your new device without needing access to your old phone.
Removing Your Phone Number Instead of Changing It
If you don't want to link any phone number to your account, you can remove it entirely. Go to Settings, tap "Username," then "Phone Number," and select "Remove." Snapchat will ask for your password. After you confirm, your account will no longer have a phone number attached.
Removing your phone number means Snapchat cannot text you if your account is compromised or if you forget your password. You'll need to use your email address to recover your account instead. Most users keep a phone number on file for this reason, but the choice is yours.
Using Your Phone Number to Recover Your Account
Your phone number serves as a backup way to regain access if you forget your password or get locked out. If you can't log in, Snapchat will offer to send a password reset link to the phone number on file. You'll receive a text message with instructions to create a new password.
This is why keeping your phone number current matters — if your number is outdated and you lose access to your account, you'll have a harder time proving you own it. Update your number before you change phones or switch carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number affect my Snapchat username or friends?
No. Your username, friends list, chat history, and all saved content remain unchanged. The phone number is only used for account recovery and security notifications — it has no connection to your username or social connections.
Can I change my phone number if I don't have the old phone anymore?
Yes. As long as you can log into Snapchat on any device and receive text messages on your new phone, you can change the number. The old phone doesn't need to be active or in your possession.
What if I enter the wrong phone number by mistake?
The verification code will be sent to the wrong number, and you won't be able to complete the change. Go back and tap "Change Phone Number" again, then enter the correct number. You can retry as many times as you need.
Do I need to change my phone number if I get a new phone?
Only if your new phone has a different phone number. If your carrier transferred your old number to the new phone, you don't need to change anything in Snapchat. If you have a new number, update it in Settings so your account recovery information is accurate.
Is my phone number visible to other Snapchat users?
No. Your phone number is private and stored only by Snapchat for account recovery and security purposes. Other users cannot see it, and Snapchat does not share it with third parties without your permission.