Why and how to add your phone number to Facebook
Adding a phone number to Facebook serves two main purposes: it helps you recover your account if you forget your password, and it lets Facebook send you security alerts when someone tries to log in from an unfamiliar device. You can add a number in your account settings in under a minute, and Facebook keeps it separate from your public profile — only you and people you've given the number to directly can see it.
The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet. You'll need access to the phone number you want to add, because Facebook will send a text message to verify it belongs to you.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone number is stored privately in your account settings and does not appear on your public profile unless you choose to add it there.
- Facebook uses your phone number to send security codes when you log in from a new device and to help you reset your password if you forget it.
- You can add, change, or remove your phone number at any time from your account settings.
- Facebook will text a verification code to the number you enter — you must have the phone in hand to complete the process.
Adding a phone number on a computer
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal information.
Under the Phone section, click Add or the pencil icon if you already have a number listed. Type your phone number in the format that appears (usually with your country code), then click Add phone number. Facebook will send a text message to that number with a six-digit code. Enter the code in the box that appears on your screen, then click Confirm. Your number is now saved to your account.
Adding a phone number on your phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal information.
Tap Phone, then tap Add or the pencil icon. Enter your phone number, then tap Next. Facebook will text you a verification code — enter it when it arrives, then tap Confirm. The number is now linked to your account.
What happens after you add your number
Facebook will use your phone number to send you login alerts when someone tries to access your account from a device or location you haven't used before. You'll receive a text asking you to confirm whether the login attempt was you. If it wasn't, you can deny it and change your password immediately.
Your number also becomes one of the ways you can reset your password if you forget it. When you click "Forgot password?" on the login screen, Facebook will offer to send a code to your phone number as an alternative to using your email address.
Keeping your phone number private
By default, your phone number is hidden from your public profile and from other Facebook users. Only you can see it in your settings, and only people you've directly shared it with can contact you using it.
If you want to make your phone number visible on your profile so friends can call or text you directly, you can do that separately. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Phone, then look for the privacy setting next to your number. You can choose to show it to everyone, friends only, or keep it private. This is optional and separate from adding the number for account security.
Changing or removing your phone number
You can change your phone number at any time by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Phone. Click or tap the pencil icon next to your current number, then enter the new number. Facebook will text a verification code to the new number — enter it to confirm the change.
To remove your phone number entirely, click or tap the pencil icon, then select Remove. Your number will be deleted from your account immediately. You can always add it back later if you change your mind.
Troubleshooting phone number issues
If you don't receive the verification text message, wait a few minutes — sometimes messages are delayed. Check that you entered the number correctly, including the country code if you're outside the United States. If you still don't receive it, try adding the number again from the beginning.
If you no longer have access to the phone number you added to your account, remove it and add a new one. If you've lost access to both your email and phone number and can't log in, you'll need to use Facebook's account recovery process, which may ask you to identify photos of your friends or provide other information to prove the account is yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see my phone number on Facebook?
No, not unless you choose to make it public. Your phone number is private by default and only visible to you in your settings. If you want friends to be able to call or text you through Facebook, you can change the privacy setting to show it to specific people or everyone, but this is entirely optional.
What if I change my phone number in real life?
Log into Facebook and update your phone number in your settings the same way you added it. Remove the old number and add your new one. Facebook will send a verification code to your new number. Once you confirm it, your account will use the new number for security alerts and password recovery.
Do I need a phone number to use Facebook?
No. A phone number is optional and only used for account recovery and security alerts. You can use Facebook with just an email address. Adding a phone number makes your account more secure, but it's not required.
Can I add multiple phone numbers to one Facebook account?
Facebook allows you to store one primary phone number in your account settings. If you want to receive alerts on multiple phones, you would need to set up call forwarding or message forwarding on your phone plan, or use a different recovery method like a backup email address.
What if someone else has my phone number listed on their Facebook account?
Each phone number can only be linked to one Facebook account. If you try to add a number that's already attached to another account, Facebook will tell you the number is already in use. Contact Facebook's support team if you believe someone else has wrongly added your number to their account.