Where to find and change your phone number
Your phone number on Facebook lives in your account settings, not on your profile. Go to the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook (on desktop) or the menu icon at the bottom right (on mobile), then select Settings and privacy and Settings. Look for Personal information on the left side, then click Contact information. Your phone number appears here — you can edit it, add a second number, or remove it entirely.
The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet. Facebook stores whatever number you enter here and uses it for account recovery if you get locked out, and for two-factor authentication if you turn that on. It does not automatically appear on your profile unless you choose to make it public.
Key Takeaways
- Phone numbers on Facebook are stored in Settings under Personal information, not on your visible profile.
- You can add, change, or delete your phone number at any time without affecting your account access.
- Facebook uses your phone number to help you recover your account if you forget your password or get locked out.
- Making your phone number visible to others requires a separate privacy setting — it is not public by default.
Adding a phone number if you do not have one listed
If you never added a phone number to Facebook, the process is straightforward. Open Settings, go to Personal information, then Contact information. You will see a section labeled Phone with an Add button. Click it, type your number, and save. Facebook accepts phone numbers in most countries and formats — you can enter it with or without dashes or parentheses.
Adding a phone number now does not change anything about your account retroactively. It straightforward gives Facebook a way to contact you if there is suspicious activity, and gives you a backup way to log in if you forget your password. You can add multiple phone numbers if you have more than one — Facebook stores them all and lets you choose which one to use for recovery.
Changing a phone number you already have on file
If you already listed a phone number and want to replace it with a different one, go to the same location: Settings, Personal information, Contact information. Next to your current number, you will see an Edit button (or a pencil icon on mobile). Click it, delete the old number, type the new one, and save. The old number is removed when ready.
You do not need to verify the new number — Facebook accepts it as soon as you save. This means if you type it wrong by accident, you will need to go back and fix it. Double-check before you save, especially if you are switching to a new phone and want Facebook to be able to reach you at the new number.
Removing your phone number completely
If you do not want a phone number on file with Facebook at all, you can delete it. Go to Settings, Personal information, Contact information, and click the Remove button next to your phone number. It disappears when ready, and Facebook will no longer use it for account recovery or two-factor authentication.
Removing your number does not lock you out of your account — you can still log in with your email address and password. However, if you lose access to your email, you will have fewer ways to prove you own the account. Many people keep a phone number on file for this reason, even if they do not make it visible to others.
Controlling who can see your phone number
Having a phone number in your settings and having it visible on your profile are two different things. By default, your phone number is private — only you and Facebook can see it. If you want to make it visible to friends, friends of friends, or everyone, you can change that in the same Contact information section. Look for the privacy icon (usually a globe or lock symbol) next to your phone number and click it to choose who sees it.
Most people leave their phone number private. Making it public means anyone on Facebook can see it and potentially contact you outside the platform. You can change this setting back to private at any time, and the change takes effect when ready.
What happens if you change your number on a different device
If you edit your phone number on your phone, the change shows up on your computer and vice versa — Facebook syncs your account information across all devices. You do not need to update it separately on each device. The same is true if someone else logs into your account on a different device and changes the number; you will see the new number the next time you log in anywhere.
This is why it is important to keep your password find. If someone else gains access to your account, they can change your phone number and lock you out of recovery options. If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and review your login activity in Settings under Security and login.
Using your phone number to recover your account
If you forget your password or Facebook locks you out for security reasons, you can use your phone number to regain access. On the login page, click Forgot password? and follow the prompts. Facebook will ask you to enter your email or phone number, then send a code to that number via text message. Enter the code to reset your password and log back in.
This only works if you have a phone number on file and it is still active. If you switched phone numbers and did not update Facebook, the text will go to your old number and you will not receive it. This is one reason to keep your phone number current — it is your fastest way back into your account if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook show my phone number on my profile by default?
No. Your phone number is private by default and only visible to you. Facebook does not display it on your profile unless you specifically change the privacy setting to make it visible to friends or the public.
Can I use my phone number to log in instead of my email?
Yes. On the Facebook login page, you can enter either your email address or your phone number in the username field, then type your password. Both work equally well.
What if I enter the wrong phone number by mistake?
Go back to Settings, Personal information, Contact information, and click Edit next to the number. Delete it and type the correct one. There is no penalty for correcting it — you can change it as many times as you need to.
Will changing my phone number affect my two-factor authentication?
If you have two-factor authentication turned on and set to receive codes by text, you should update your phone number before you switch phones. If you do not, the codes will go to your old number and you will not be able to log in. Update the number first, then switch phones.
Can I remove my phone number if I do not have an email address on file?
Yes, but it is not recommended. If you remove your phone number and forget your password, you will have no way to recover your account. Keep at least one contact method (email or phone) on file so you can always get back in.