Why you might want to change your phone number on Facebook

You may need to change the phone number Facebook has on file for several reasons: you switched carriers or got a new phone, you want to use a different number for security, or you're concerned about which number is visible to other users. Facebook uses your phone number in two ways — as a login option and as a way for friends to find you — so changing it affects both.

The process itself takes a few minutes and happens entirely in your account settings. You can add a new number, remove an old one, or change which number is primary. Unlike some account changes, this one takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add, remove, or change your primary phone number in Facebook settings under "Personal Information" or "Contact Information," depending on whether you use Facebook or Meta.
  • Your phone number can be used for login and account recovery, so updating it when you change phones prevents you from getting locked out.
  • You can control whether your phone number is visible to other users by changing its privacy setting to "Only Me" or "Friends."
  • If you no longer have access to an old phone number, you can still remove it from your account without needing that number.
  • Adding a backup phone number gives you another way to recover your account if you lose access to your primary login method.

How to add or change your primary phone number

Open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop). Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, look for "Personal Information" or "Contact Information" — the exact label depends on your account type and region.

Click or tap "Phone Number." If you already have a number listed, you'll see it here. To add a new number, click "Add another phone number" or the plus icon. Type your new number in the field that appears. Facebook will ask you to confirm the number by sending a code via text message or voice call. Enter that code when it arrives, and the number is now linked to your account.

If you want to make a different number your primary number (the one used for login and recovery), find the number in your list and select "Make Primary" or the equivalent option. You can have multiple numbers on file, but only one can be primary.

Removing a phone number you no longer use

Go to Settings, then Personal Information or Contact Information, then Phone Number. Find the number you want to remove and click the X icon or "Remove" button next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal. You don't need access to that old number to remove it — Facebook only requires confirmation that you want it gone.

If you're removing your only phone number and want to keep a backup recovery method, consider adding an email address to your account first. You can do this in the same settings area under "Email Address." Having at least one recovery method (phone or email) makes it much harder to get locked out of your account.

Controlling who can see your phone number

By default, your phone number may be visible to friends or to everyone on Facebook, depending on your privacy settings. To change this, go to Settings, then Personal Information or Contact Information, then Phone Number. Look for a privacy icon (usually a globe or people icon) next to your number.

Click that icon and choose who can see it: "Public" (everyone), "Friends," or "Only Me" (only you). Most people choose "Only Me" or "Friends" to limit who can contact them via phone. This setting is separate from whether the number works for login — changing it to "Only Me" doesn't prevent you from using the number to sign in.

What to do if you can't receive the confirmation code

When you add a new phone number, Facebook sends a confirmation code by text or voice call. If you don't receive it within a few minutes, check that you entered the number correctly, including the country code if you're outside the United States. Try requesting the code again — sometimes the first attempt doesn't go through.

If you still don't receive it, try the voice call option instead of text, or wait a few minutes and try again. If the number you're trying to add genuinely doesn't work (for example, it's a landline that can't receive texts), you can skip the phone number and use an email address as your recovery method instead. Go back to Personal Information and add or confirm an email address under "Email Address."

Using your phone number for account recovery

If you ever lose access to your password or can't sign in, Facebook will offer to send a recovery code to your phone number. This is one reason keeping your phone number current matters — an outdated number means you can't use this recovery path. When you change phones, update your number in Facebook settings as soon as you have your new one.

You can also set up two-factor authentication (sometimes called "two-step verification") to add an extra security layer. This requires a code from your phone each time you log in from a new device. Go to Settings, then "Security and Login," then "Two-Factor Authentication" to turn this on. You can choose whether to receive codes by text message or through an authenticator app.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook requires each phone number to be linked to only one account. If you try to add a number that's already on another account, Facebook will tell you it's already in use. You'll need to remove it from the other account first, or use a different number.

What happens to my old phone number after I remove it?

Once you remove it, it's no longer linked to your Facebook account. If someone else gets that phone number later, they won't automatically gain access to your account — they would still need your password. However, they could potentially use Facebook's "forgot password" feature to request a code, so it's good practice to remove old numbers promptly.

Do I need to change my phone number on Facebook if I just switched carriers?

If your carrier gave you the same phone number, you don't need to change anything. If you got a new number, update it in your settings so you can receive login codes and recovery messages. Keep the old number on file temporarily if you're worried about losing access, then remove it once you're sure the new number works.

Can I change my phone number if I'm locked out of my account?

If you can still log in, you can change it yourself in settings. If you're locked out and can't access your account, you'll need to use Facebook's account recovery process. Go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps to regain access, which may involve confirming your identity through email or other means.

Is it safe to put my real phone number on Facebook?

Your phone number is most find when set to "Only Me" so other users can't see it. Even then, Facebook itself has access to it for login and recovery purposes. If you're concerned about privacy, you can use an email address as your primary recovery method instead and leave the phone number field blank, though having a phone number as a backup is generally safer for account recovery.