Why and how to add a phone number to Facebook

Adding a phone number to Facebook serves two main purposes: it helps you recover your account if you forget your password, and it lets Facebook send you security alerts when someone tries to log in from a new device. You can add a number in your account settings in under a minute, and Facebook will not display it publicly unless you choose to.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone. You go to your settings, find the phone number field, enter your number, and confirm it by text message. Facebook stores the number but does not share it with other users or advertisers by default — though you can change that setting if you want friends to find you by phone number.

Key Takeaways

  • You add a phone number through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, where you will see a Phone field.
  • Facebook sends a text message to confirm the number is yours; you must reply with the code to complete the process.
  • Your phone number is hidden from other users by default and is used only for account recovery and security alerts.
  • You can add multiple phone numbers to the same account, and you can remove any number at any time without affecting your account.
  • If you do not receive the confirmation text, check that you entered the number with the correct country code and that your phone plan allows incoming texts.

Step-by-step: Adding a phone number on a computer

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Phone with an Add button next to it.

Click Add. Type your phone number in the field that appears, including the country code (for the United States, this is +1). Click Add Phone Number. Facebook will send a text message to that number with a six-digit code. Open the text message, copy the code, return to Facebook, and paste it into the confirmation field. Click Confirm. Your number is now linked to your account.

Step-by-step: Adding a phone number on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap Phone. Tap Add.

Enter your phone number with the country code and tap Add Phone Number. You will receive a text with a confirmation code. Return to the app, paste the code into the confirmation field, and tap Confirm. The number is now saved to your account.

What happens after you add a phone number

Facebook uses your phone number for two things: account recovery and security notifications. If you forget your password, Facebook can send you a reset link by text message, which is often faster than using email. If someone tries to log into your account from a new location or device, Facebook can alert you by text so you can block the login attempt if it was not you.

Your phone number does not appear on your profile or in search results by default. Other users cannot see it unless you change your privacy settings. You can control who can find you by phone number by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, then Who can look you up using the phone number you provided. The options are Everyone, Friends of Friends, Friends Only, or Only Me.

Adding multiple phone numbers to one account

You can add more than one phone number to your Facebook account. This is useful if you have a work phone and a personal phone, or if you are changing phone numbers and want to keep both active during the transition. Each number must be confirmed separately by text message.

To add a second number, follow the same steps as above. Facebook will show all your numbers in the Phone section of Personal Information. You can remove any number by clicking the X next to it. Removing a number does not affect your account security — Facebook will still use any remaining numbers for recovery and alerts.

Troubleshooting: Not receiving the confirmation text

If you do not receive the confirmation text message, first check that you entered the number correctly, including the country code. For the United States, the format should be +1 followed by your ten-digit number. If the format is wrong, Facebook will not send the text.

Second, check that your phone plan allows incoming text messages. Some plans, especially international ones, may block texts from short codes. If you have a new phone number, wait a few hours before trying again — sometimes there is a delay before a new number is fully active on the carrier's network. If you still do not receive the text after an hour, try adding the number again from the beginning. If the problem continues, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center, though response times vary.

Removing or changing your phone number

You can remove your phone number from your account at any time. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone. Click the X next to the number you want to remove. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal. Once removed, that number can no longer be used to recover your account or receive security alerts, but you can add a different number whenever you want.

If you are changing phone numbers, you do not have to remove the old one before adding the new one. You can add the new number first, confirm it, and then remove the old one. This way your account is always protected by at least one phone number during the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Facebook see my text messages or call history?

No. Facebook only receives the confirmation code you send back in response to the text message it sends you. It cannot see any other texts, calls, or data on your phone. The phone number is stored in your account settings but is not used to monitor your activity.

What if I no longer have access to the phone number I added?

If you lost or changed your phone number and can no longer receive texts at that number, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Phone, and click the X to remove it. You can then add a new number. If you cannot log into your account at all, use the Forgot Password option on the login page and choose to receive the reset link by email instead.

Will adding a phone number make my account more or less find?

Adding a phone number makes your account more find because it gives you a second way to recover your account if your email is compromised, and it lets Facebook alert you to suspicious login attempts. It does not make your account less find. You control who can see the number and how it is used.

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

Yes, you can use the same phone number for more than one Facebook account. Each account will need to confirm the number separately by text message. Facebook will send a confirmation code to the number, and you will enter it into each account you want to link it to.