You can change the phone number linked to your Facebook account in Settings in about two minutes

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Click or tap Personal Information, then Phone. You'll see the phone number currently linked to your account. Click or tap next to it to edit, remove, or add a new number. Facebook will send a confirmation code to the new number you enter — you must type that code back into Facebook to complete the change.

The phone number on your account is separate from your login password. Changing it does not log you out of Facebook or affect your password. You can have multiple phone numbers linked at once, and you can remove any of them without removing all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone to find and edit your phone number.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code to the new phone number you enter, and you must enter that code to finish the change.
  • You can add multiple phone numbers to one account or remove a number without affecting your login or password.
  • The change takes effect when ready after you confirm the code, and you do not need to log out and back in.
  • If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it without entering a confirmation code.

Step-by-step: adding or changing your phone number

Start on the Facebook home page. In the top right corner, click the downward arrow (on computer) or the three horizontal lines (on phone). Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You should see a section labeled Phone with your current number, if one is saved.

Click or tap the pencil icon next to your phone number. If you want to add a new number, click Add. If you want to change an existing number, click Edit. Type in your new phone number, making sure to include the country code if you're outside the United States — for example, +44 for the United Kingdom or +1 for Canada. Click Next or Save.

Facebook will send a six-digit code to the phone number you just entered. You have 10 minutes to enter this code. Type it into the box on your screen and click Confirm. Once confirmed, your new phone number is now linked to your account.

Removing a phone number from your account

If you want to delete a phone number instead of changing it, follow the same path: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone. Click the pencil icon next to the number you want to remove. Click Remove. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Remove again. The number is deleted when ready and you do not need a confirmation code.

You can remove a phone number even if you no longer have access to that phone. This is useful if you've switched carriers or lost an old device. Removing a number does not affect your ability to log into Facebook or use your account.

What happens if you don't receive the confirmation code

If Facebook sends a code to your new phone number and you don't receive it within a few minutes, check your text messages and spam folder. Codes usually arrive within 30 seconds. If nothing appears after five minutes, go back to the phone number field and click Resend Code.

If you still don't receive a code, the phone number you entered may be incorrect, or your phone carrier may be blocking the message. Double-check the number for typos, including the country code. If the number is correct and you still don't receive a code, try adding the number again from the beginning. If the problem continues, you can remove the old number and skip adding a new one — your account will work fine without any phone number linked.

Using multiple phone numbers on one account

Facebook allows you to link more than one phone number to the same account. This is useful if you have a work phone and a personal phone, or if you're switching phones and want both numbers active during the transition. To add a second number, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone and click Add. Follow the same confirmation process with the new number.

All phone numbers linked to your account serve the same purpose — they can be used for account recovery and security notifications. Facebook does not use your phone number to send you marketing messages or advertisements. You can remove any phone number at any time without affecting the others.

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 your identity if your account is locked or compromised. When you try to log in and can't remember your password, Facebook can send a recovery code to your phone. If someone tries to access your account from an unfamiliar location, Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone.

Your phone number is not displayed on your profile unless you choose to make it public. By default, only you can see it. You can control who sees your phone number by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Who can see your personal information and adjusting the phone number setting.

Changing your phone number on the Facebook app

The process is nearly identical on the Facebook mobile app. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Personal Information, then Phone. Tap the pencil icon next to your number, enter your new number, and tap Next. When the confirmation code arrives, type it in and tap Confirm.

The mobile app works the same way as the computer version — you get 10 minutes to enter the code, you can add or remove multiple numbers, and the change takes effect when ready after confirmation. Some people find it easier to make this change on a computer because the screen is larger, but either method works.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Phone and click Remove next to your old number. You do not need a confirmation code to remove a number. Then you can add your new number and confirm it with a code sent to the new phone.

Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?

No. Changing your phone number does not log you out, change your password, or affect your login in any way. You stay logged in the entire time. Your phone number is only used for account recovery and security — it is not part of your login credentials.

What if I enter the wrong phone number by mistake?

If you realize you typed the number wrong before you confirm the code, click or tap Back or Cancel and start over. If you already confirmed a code for the wrong number, go back to Settings > Personal Information > Phone and remove that number, then add the correct one.

Can Facebook see my text messages or call history?

No. Facebook only receives the confirmation codes it sends to your phone. It cannot see your text messages, call history, contacts, or any other information on your phone. The phone number is stored only for account recovery purposes.

Do I have to add a phone number to use Facebook?

No. A phone number is optional. You can use Facebook without one. However, having a phone number linked makes it easier to recover your account if you forget your password or get locked out. If you prefer not to add one, you can skip this step entirely.