Where to find the phone number setting

Your phone number on Facebook lives in your personal settings, not in your profile where other people see it. Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you will see a menu — click Personal information. Your phone number appears here if you have added one before.

If you do not see a phone number listed, you have not set one yet. You can add one at any time by clicking Add next to the phone field. If you already have a number there and want to change it, click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone number is stored in Settings under Personal information, not visible on your public profile unless you choose to show it.
  • You can change your number by clicking the pencil icon next to your current phone number and typing a new one.
  • Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new number — you must enter this code to complete the change.
  • Your old phone number is removed from your account as soon as you confirm the new one, so you cannot recover it through Facebook afterward.
  • If you no longer want a phone number attached to your account, you can delete it entirely instead of replacing it.

The confirmation code step

When you enter a new phone number and click Save changes, Facebook sends a text message to that number with a six-digit code. You have a limited window to enter this code — usually around 10 minutes. Open the text message, copy the code, and paste it into the box Facebook shows you on screen.

If you do not receive the code, check that you typed the number correctly, including the country code if you are outside the United States. If the number is correct and the text does not arrive, click Resend code to request another one. If texts still do not come through, your phone carrier may be blocking short codes, or there may be a temporary issue with Facebook's system.

What happens to your old number

Once you confirm your new phone number, Facebook deletes the old one from your account. You cannot retrieve it through Facebook's settings afterward. This is important if you are changing numbers because you got a new phone — the old number is gone from your Facebook account, even if someone else gets that number later.

If you are worried about someone else using your old number to access your account, you do not need to be. Facebook ties the phone number to your account only while it is active. Once it is removed, a new person with that number cannot use it to log in or reset your password.

Removing your phone number entirely

You do not have to keep a phone number on Facebook. If you want to remove it without adding a new one, go to Settings, then Personal information, and click the pencil icon next to your phone number. Instead of typing a new number, click Remove. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Remove again, and the number is deleted.

Removing your number does not affect your account security or your ability to log in. It only means Facebook no longer has a phone number associated with you. You can add one back anytime by following the same steps.

Why Facebook asks for a phone number

Facebook uses your phone number for two main reasons: to help you recover your account if you forget your password, and to verify that you are a real person and not a bot. When you set up two-factor authentication — an extra security layer that requires a code from your phone to log in — you can choose to receive those codes by text message.

Your phone number is not shown on your profile by default. Other people cannot see it unless you change your privacy settings to make it public, which you can do in the same Personal information section. Most people leave it private.

Changing your number on mobile apps

The process is the same on the Facebook app for iPhone or Android. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and find your phone number. Tap the pencil icon, enter your new number, and follow the confirmation steps.

Some older versions of the Facebook app have slightly different menu names, but the path is always Settings, then Personal information. If you cannot find it, updating your app to the latest version usually fixes the problem.

Troubleshooting when the change does not work

If you click Save changes and nothing happens, or if you get an error message, first check that your number is in the correct format for your country. Facebook expects numbers in a specific format — for the United States, that is usually a 10-digit number with or without parentheses and hyphens, like 555-123-4567 or (555) 123-4567.

If the format looks right and you still get an error, try logging out and logging back in, then return to Settings and try again. If the problem continues, it may be a temporary issue with Facebook's servers. Wait a few hours and try once more. If you still cannot change it after several attempts, you can report the problem through Facebook's Help Center by clicking Help at the bottom of any Facebook page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook does not allow one phone number to be attached to more than one account at the same time. If you try to add a number that is already linked to another account, Facebook will tell you the number is already in use. You must remove it from the old account first.

What if I change my phone number but forget to update Facebook?

Your old number stays on your Facebook account until you change it. If you lose access to that old number, you can still log into Facebook using your email address or username and password. You can then update your phone number to a new one. If you forget your password too, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it through your email.

Does changing my phone number affect my two-factor authentication?

Yes. If you use two-factor authentication and receive codes by text message, you must update your phone number in the security settings as well. Go to Settings, then Security and login, find the two-factor authentication section, and update the phone number there. Otherwise, you will not receive login codes on your new number.

Can Facebook see my phone number if I add it?

Yes, Facebook stores your phone number on its servers. It is not visible to other users unless you change your privacy settings to make it public. You control who sees it through the same Personal information section where you add or change it.