The fastest way depends on what you're changing

Changing a phone number means different things depending on what you're trying to do. If you got a new phone number from your carrier, you need to update it in your devices, email accounts, and anywhere else that has your old number on file. If you want to change the phone number associated with an existing account — like your Apple ID or Google account — that's a different process. And if you're switching carriers or phone types, the steps vary.

The most common scenario is updating your new number after your carrier assigns it. This takes about 30 minutes if you do it systematically, starting with the accounts that matter most: email, banking, and two-factor authentication settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Update your phone number first in email and banking accounts, since these control access to everything else.
  • Change your number in two-factor authentication settings before you forget your old number, or you may lock yourself out of accounts.
  • Update your number in your phone's own settings so contacts and apps use the correct number.
  • Tell important contacts your new number through a separate channel — text, email, or call — since they won't see it automatically.
  • Check social media, work systems, and subscription services within a week, as these are easy to miss but may send important messages to your old number.

Update email and banking first

Start with your primary email account and any banking or financial apps. These are the accounts you use to recover access to everything else, so if you update them wrong or forget them, you'll have trouble resetting passwords later.

For Gmail, go to your Google Account settings, select "Personal info" on the left, and click the phone number field. You can add your new number as a recovery phone and remove the old one. Google will send a verification code to your new number to confirm it works. For Outlook or Microsoft accounts, go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security" on the left, and find "Phone number" under "Additional security info". Add the new number and verify it the same way.

For your bank's app or website, look for "Account Settings" or "Profile" and find the phone number field. Banks often use phone numbers to send fraud alerts and password reset codes, so this is critical to update. If you can't find it in the app, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your card — they can update it over the phone.

Change two-factor authentication settings before you lose access

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that sends a code to your phone when you try to log in from a new device. If your old number is still listed as your 2FA method and you can't receive texts on that number anymore, you'll be locked out of accounts when you need to log back in.

Go through your most important accounts — email, banking, social media, work systems — and update the phone number in their security settings. Most accounts let you add multiple phone numbers, so you can add your new one and test it before removing the old one. If an account only allows one phone number and you've already lost access to your old number, you may need to use a backup method like an authenticator app or recovery codes instead.

For accounts that use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator instead of text messages, you don't need to update anything — the app works the same way regardless of your phone number.

Update your phone's own settings

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Name, Phone Numbers, Email", and update your phone number there. This tells Apple and your contacts what number to use when they reach out to you through iMessage or FaceTime.

On Android, the process varies by manufacturer. On a Samsung phone, go to Settings, tap "About phone", and look for "Phone number" or "My phone number". On a Google Pixel, go to Settings, tap "About phone", and find "Phone number". Some Android phones don't display this field at all — if you can't find it, your carrier controls this information and you don't need to change it manually.

After you update your phone's settings, restart the phone so apps pick up the change. This is especially important for messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal, which use your phone number to identify you.

Tell your contacts through a separate message

Your contacts won't automatically know your new number. Send a text, email, or call to the people who need it — family, close friends, your workplace, your doctor's office, and anyone else who might need to reach you. If you send a text from your new number, include a line like "This is [your name], I've changed my phone number" so they know it's really you.

For work contacts, update your number in your company's directory or employee system if one exists. Ask your manager or HR department how to do this, as the process depends on what system your workplace uses.

Check social media and subscription services within a week

Social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter often have a phone number on file for account recovery. Update these in your account settings under "Security" or "Personal Information". You don't need to do this immediately, but do it within a week while you still remember.

Check any subscription services you use — streaming apps, software licenses, meal kit services, or gym memberships. These often send billing alerts and password reset codes to your phone number. Look for "Account Settings" or "Billing" and update your number there.

If you use your phone number to log into any apps through a feature like "Sign in with Phone Number", update those as well. This is less common but worth checking if you use any newer apps or services.

What to do if you're switching phone types or carriers

If you're moving from iPhone to Android or switching carriers, the steps above still apply — update your accounts with your new number. The only difference is timing: if you're keeping the same number, you can update everything at once. If you're getting a new number, wait until your carrier confirms the new number is active on your account before you start updating.

If you're switching carriers, your old carrier will eventually deactivate your old number. This usually happens within 30 days, so you have time to update accounts. However, don't wait too long — if someone tries to use your old number for account recovery and it's already been reassigned to someone else, you could have security problems.

If you're switching from iPhone to Android or vice versa, also check that your messaging apps are set up correctly on the new phone. iMessage on iPhone and RCS on Android handle group texts differently, and switching between them can cause messages to go to the wrong place temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I forget to update my number in an account?

If you forget to update your number in an account that uses it for two-factor authentication, you'll be locked out the next time you try to log in from a new device. You'll need to use a backup recovery method like a recovery code, security question, or backup email address. Most accounts let you set these up in advance, so do that before you lose access to your old number.

Can I keep my old phone number if I switch carriers?

Yes, in most cases. This is called number porting. Contact your new carrier before you cancel with your old one and ask them to port your number. The process usually takes a few days. You'll still need to update your number in accounts that have it on file, because your carrier will update their system and you want to make sure everything is in sync.

Do I need to update my number in every app on my phone?

No. Apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram use your phone number to identify you, but they pull it from your phone's settings automatically. Once you update your phone's settings, these apps will use your new number. You only need to manually update your number in accounts you access through a web browser or in apps that specifically ask for it.

What if my old number is already being used by someone else?

If you've already lost access to your old number and it's been reassigned, you can't receive codes sent to it. For accounts that only accept text message codes, use a backup recovery method instead — most accounts let you use a recovery code, recovery email, or security question. If you're locked out completely, contact the account's support team and explain that you no longer have access to the phone number on file.

Should I delete my old number from my contacts?

You can, but it's not necessary. Keeping your old number in your contacts as "Old Number - Do Not Use" can help you remember which number you changed from, which is useful if someone calls your old number and you need to explain what happened. You can also add a note to your own contact card saying when you changed your number, in case you need to reference it later.