Where to find your phone number settings on Facebook

Your phone number on Facebook lives in your personal settings, not in your profile where others can see it. To reach it, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you'll see a menu — click Personal information. Your phone number appears here, and this is where you change it.

If you're on a mobile phone, the steps are the same but the menu looks different. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then find Personal information. The phone number field works the same way on both desktop and mobile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number is stored in Personal Information settings, not on your public profile, and only you and Facebook can see it by default.
  • To change it, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information, then click next to your current number to edit or remove it.
  • You can have multiple phone numbers on one account, and you can delete old numbers without affecting your account security.
  • If you've lost access to your old phone number, you can still change it in settings — you don't need to receive a code on the old number first.
  • Changing your phone number does not automatically update it on Instagram, WhatsApp, or other Meta apps; you must change each one separately.

The steps to edit or remove your current number

Once you're in Personal Information, look for the phone number field. Next to it you'll see a pencil icon or an Edit button. Click that to open the editing window. You can now delete the number entirely by selecting the X next to it, or you can highlight the number and type a new one in its place.

If you want to keep your old number and add a second one instead, click Add another phone number below the existing one. Facebook lets you store multiple numbers on a single account. This is useful if you're switching phones gradually or if you want to keep a backup number on file. When you're done, click Save changes at the bottom of the window.

What happens when you change your number

Changing your phone number on Facebook does not affect your password, your login method, or your account security settings. If you use your phone number to log in (instead of your email address), you can still use it after the change — Facebook updates the login option automatically. If you use two-factor authentication and have your phone number listed as a backup recovery method, that connection stays active with your new number.

Your contacts and friends cannot see your phone number unless you've made it public in your privacy settings. Most people have their number hidden by default. If you want to check who can see it, go back to Personal Information and look for the privacy icon next to your phone number — it usually shows a lock or a globe. Click it to change who can view it.

If you no longer have access to your old phone number

You do not need to receive a verification code on your old number to change it. straightforward go to Personal Information, click the edit button next to your phone number, and type in the new one. Facebook will not send a confirmation to the old number — it accepts the change when ready. This is different from resetting your password, which does require you to verify your identity.

If Facebook suspects unusual activity on your account when you change your number, it may ask you to verify your identity using another method, such as your email address or a photo ID. This is a security measure and is normal. Follow the prompts to confirm you own the account, then you can proceed with the number change.

Changing your number on other Meta apps

Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger are all owned by Meta, but they do not automatically sync your phone number across all of them. If you change your number on Facebook, you must separately update it on Instagram and any other Meta app where you've listed it. Each app has its own settings for phone numbers, and changing one does not change the others.

To change your number on Instagram, open the app, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines), select Settings and privacy, then Personal information. The process mirrors Facebook's. For WhatsApp, you change your phone number through the app itself by going to Settings > Account > Change number, and you'll be prompted to confirm the change with a code sent to your new phone.

Removing your phone number entirely

You can delete your phone number from Facebook without deleting your account or affecting how you log in. Go to Personal Information, click the edit button next to your phone number, and select the X or Remove option. Facebook will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the number is gone from your account.

Removing your number is useful if you're concerned about privacy or if you no longer use that phone. You can always add a new number later. If you use your phone number as a login method and you remove it, make sure you have your email address set up as a backup way to log in, or you could lock yourself out of your account.

What to do if you can't find the phone number field

If you're in Personal Information and don't see a phone number field at all, it may be because you never added one. In that case, look for a link that says Add phone number or Add contact information. Click it and enter your number. Facebook will ask you to confirm it, usually by sending a code to that phone number. Enter the code when it arrives, and the number will be saved.

If you see the field but it appears grayed out or locked, your account may have a security restriction in place. This sometimes happens after a password reset or if Facebook detected unusual login activity. Try logging out and logging back in, then return to Personal Information. If the field is still locked, you may need to verify your identity through email or another method before you can edit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone number if I don't have access to my old phone anymore?

Yes. You do not need to verify the old number to change it. Go to Personal Information, click edit next to your phone number, and type in the new one. Facebook accepts the change without sending a confirmation to the old number. If your account has security restrictions, you may need to verify your identity using your email address instead.

Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?

No. Changing your phone number does not log you out or affect your current login session. You can continue using Facebook normally. If you use your phone number to log in, it will work with your new number automatically after the change.

What if I want to keep my old phone number and add a new one?

You can store multiple phone numbers on one Facebook account. In Personal Information, click Add another phone number below your current number and enter the new one. You can keep both numbers active, or delete the old one later if you prefer.

Does changing my number on Facebook change it on Instagram too?

No. Facebook and Instagram have separate phone number settings even though they're owned by the same company. You must change your number on each app individually. Go to Instagram's Settings and privacy > Personal information to update it there.

What should I do if I see a phone number on my account that I didn't add?

Delete it when ready by clicking the edit button and selecting the X next to the number. Then change your password and review your login activity to make sure no one else has accessed your account. If you see other unfamiliar information in your Personal Information settings, change your password and consider enabling two-factor authentication for extra security.