Change your phone number in Facebook settings
You can change the phone number Facebook has on file for your account by going into your settings and updating it directly. Facebook uses your phone number to help you recover your account if you get locked out, and to let you choose how people contact you. The process takes about two minutes and you can do it from any device where you're logged in.
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You'll see a section called Contact information — this is where your phone number lives.
Next to your current phone number, click the pencil icon to edit it. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password before letting you make changes. Type your password and click Continue. Delete the old number and type in your new one, then click Save changes. Facebook will send a confirmation code to that new number — check your text messages and enter the code to finish.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone number on Facebook is used for account recovery and contact options, not for showing your number publicly unless you choose to.
- You change your phone number through Settings > Personal information > Contact information, and Facebook will text a confirmation code to verify the new number.
- You need your Facebook password to make this change, so have it ready before you start.
- If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it first and add only the new one.
- The change takes effect immediately after you confirm the code, and your old number is removed from your account.
Remove your old number if you can't receive texts on it
If you've already switched phone numbers and can't receive a text on the old one, you can still update your account. Go through the same path: Settings > Personal information > Contact information. Click the pencil icon next to your phone number.
Instead of replacing the number, click Remove to delete it completely. Facebook will not ask for a confirmation code in this case — the old number disappears right away. Once it's gone, you can add your new number by clicking Add phone number in that same section. Type your new number and Facebook will text the confirmation code to it.
What happens if you don't confirm the code
Facebook gives you about 24 hours to enter the confirmation code after you request it. If you don't confirm within that window, the new number doesn't get saved and your old number stays on your account. You'll have to start the process over and request a new code.
If you didn't receive the code, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes text messages end up there. Make sure you typed the phone number correctly before requesting the code. If you're still not getting it, try removing the old number first, then adding the new one as a fresh entry.
Control who can see your phone number
Having a phone number on your Facebook account doesn't mean everyone can see it. You control that separately in your privacy settings. Go to Settings > Privacy, and look for the section about Who can contact you. You can set your phone number to be visible to friends only, to nobody, or to everyone — the choice is yours.
Many people add a phone number to Facebook for security reasons but keep it hidden from their profile. This way, Facebook can use it to send you recovery codes if you get locked out, but strangers can't find your number by looking at your profile.
Use a different phone number for two-factor authentication
Facebook lets you set up two-factor authentication, which sends a code to your phone whenever someone tries to log in from a new device. You can use the same phone number you just added, or you can set up a different one just for security codes. This is useful if you want to keep your main contact number private but still protect your account.
Go to Settings > Security and login > Two-factor authentication. Click Edit next to the authentication method and choose whether to use your phone number, an authentication app, or a security key. If you choose phone number, you can pick the one you just added or enter a different one.
What to do if Facebook won't let you change your number
Sometimes Facebook temporarily blocks you from changing your phone number if it detects unusual activity on your account. This is a security measure. If you see an error message when you try to update, wait 24 hours and try again. If the problem continues, it usually means Facebook thinks your account might be compromised.
In that case, go to Settings > Security and login > Where you're logged in. Look through the list of devices and log out of any you don't recognize. Then try changing your phone number again. If you still can't do it, you may need to change your password first — go to Settings > Security and login > Change password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my phone number log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your phone number does not log you out or affect your login. You stay logged in the whole time, and the change takes effect immediately after you confirm the code.
Can I have more than one phone number on my Facebook account?
Facebook lets you add one primary phone number. You cannot have multiple phone numbers listed in your contact information at the same time. If you need to switch numbers, you remove the old one and add the new one.
What if I get a new phone but want to keep the same number?
You don't need to change anything on Facebook. Your phone number stays the same when you switch devices, so your Facebook account information is already correct. Just log in on your new phone the way you normally would.
Does Facebook tell my contacts when I change my phone number?
No. Facebook does not notify your friends or contacts that you changed your phone number. Only you and Facebook know about the change. Your friends will still see your old contact information unless you tell them yourself.
Can I change my phone number on the Facebook app instead of the website?
Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and follow the same steps to update your phone number. The process is identical on mobile and desktop.