Where Facebook stores your phone number and why you might want to remove it
Facebook keeps your phone number in your account settings, separate from your profile information. The platform uses it for account recovery (to help you regain access if you forget your password), two-factor authentication (an extra security step when you log in), and to show you targeted ads based on your phone carrier or location data.
You might want to remove it because Facebook shares phone number data with advertisers, uses it to build a profile of your activity across other websites, or because you simply do not want the number tied to your account anymore. Removing it does not delete your account — it only disconnects that specific piece of information from your settings.
The removal process takes about two minutes and can be done on any device where you are logged in. Once removed, the number will no longer appear in your account settings or be used for login recovery or two-factor authentication codes.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone number lives in your account settings under "Personal Information," not on your public profile.
- Removing your number takes about two minutes and requires you to be logged into Facebook on a computer or phone.
- You can delete the number entirely or replace it with a different one if you want to keep two-factor authentication active.
- If you use your phone number to log in, you will need to set up a password or use your email address instead before you can remove it.
- Removing your phone number does not affect your account, friends, messages, or any other account data.
How to delete your phone number on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings and privacy, followed by Settings.
On the left side of the page, click Personal information. You will see a section labeled Phone with your number displayed. Click the pencil icon next to it, then click Remove. Confirm the removal when Facebook asks you to verify.
After you confirm, the number will disappear from your account settings immediately. You will not receive a confirmation email or notification — the change takes effect right away.
How to delete your phone number on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings.
Tap Personal information and then Phone. Tap the pencil icon next to your number and select Remove. Confirm when prompted.
The mobile process is identical to desktop in terms of what happens after removal — your number is disconnected from your account and no longer stored in your settings.
What to do if your phone number is your login method
If you set up your Facebook account using only your phone number and have not added a password or email address, you cannot remove the number without creating an alternative way to log in first. Facebook requires at least one login method on every account.
Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Email and add an email address, or go to Password and create a new password. Once you have done one of these, you can return to the Phone section and remove your number. Test your new login method by logging out and signing back in with your email or password to make sure it works.
Keeping two-factor authentication without your phone number
Two-factor authentication adds a security layer by requiring a code from your phone when you log in from a new device. If you remove your phone number but still want this protection, you can switch to an authenticator app instead.
Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Security and login > Two-factor authentication. Select Authenticator app and follow the prompts to set it up using an app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Once the app is active and you have confirmed it works, you can safely remove your phone number.
Authenticator apps generate codes on your phone without needing to receive text messages, so they work even if your phone number is no longer connected to your account.
Checking what else Facebook knows about your phone
Removing your number from your account settings does not stop Facebook from using phone data it already collected. The platform may still have your number from other sources: a contact who uploaded their address book, a business that shared customer data, or a data broker that sold it to Facebook.
To see what phone numbers Facebook has linked to you, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites > Logged in with Facebook. You can also download your information by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information > Download your information to see a full record of what the platform stores about you.
This download includes phone numbers Facebook has on file from any source, not just the one you entered yourself. Reviewing this information can show you whether your number appears multiple times or under different variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Facebook delete my number completely or just hide it from my profile?
Removing your number from settings disconnects it from your account, but Facebook may retain records of it in its internal systems for legal or business purposes. The number will no longer appear in your account settings or be used for login, recovery, or ads targeting.
Can I remove my phone number but keep my account?
Yes. Removing your phone number does not affect your account, profile, friends, or messages. Your account remains active and fully functional. You will just lose the ability to use that number to log in or receive two-factor codes via text.
What happens if I remove my number and then forget my password?
You can still recover your account using the email address linked to it. Facebook will send you a password reset link to that email. If you have no email on file, you may have difficulty regaining access, so add an email address before removing your phone number.
Do I need to remove my number if I delete my Facebook account?
No. When you delete your Facebook account, all associated data including your phone number is removed from the platform. Removing the number beforehand is only necessary if you want to keep your account but disconnect that specific piece of information.
Can I add a different phone number instead of removing it completely?
Yes. In the Phone section of your Personal Information settings, you can click the pencil icon and enter a new number instead of selecting Remove. This keeps two-factor authentication active without interruption if that is your preferred security method.