You can change the phone number linked to your Facebook account in Settings, and Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new number
Facebook stores your phone number for account recovery and security purposes. When you change your number — whether you got a new phone, switched carriers, or just want to update your information — you need to tell Facebook so the recovery codes go to the right place. The process takes a few minutes and happens entirely in the Facebook app or website.
You'll need access to both your old phone number and your new one during this process, because Facebook sends a confirmation code to the new number to verify you own it. If you no longer have access to your old number, there's a workaround covered later in this guide.
Key Takeaways
- Open Facebook Settings, find the Phone section under Personal Information, and click Edit to add your new number.
- Facebook will text a confirmation code to your new number — you enter this code to complete the change.
- If you no longer have access to your old phone number, you can remove it first by using a backup email address or recovery codes.
- Your phone number is separate from your login email, so changing one does not affect the other.
- After you confirm the new number, Facebook may ask you to re-enter your password for security.
How to change your phone number on the Facebook website
Log into Facebook on a computer or mobile browser. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information.
Find the Phone section. Click Edit next to your current number. You'll see a field with your old number already filled in. Delete it and type your new phone number, including the country code if you're outside the United States. Click Add or Save.
Facebook will send a text message with a six-digit confirmation code to your new number. Open that text and copy the code. Return to Facebook and paste the code into the box that appears. Click Confirm. Facebook will show a message confirming the change is complete.
How to change your phone number in the Facebook app
Open the Facebook app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information.
Tap Phone. Tap Edit next to your current number. Delete the old number and enter your new one. Tap Next. Facebook will text a confirmation code to your new number. Enter that code when prompted and tap Confirm.
What to do if you don't have access to your old phone number
If you've already switched phones and no longer have the old number, you can't receive the confirmation code from your old number — but you can remove it without one. Go to Settings, then Personal information, then Phone. Click or tap Edit. Instead of entering a new number, click or tap Remove to delete the old number entirely.
Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity using a backup email address or recovery codes before allowing you to remove the number. If you have a recovery code (a set of codes Facebook gave you when you set up two-factor authentication), you can use one of those. If you don't have either, Facebook will ask you to verify your identity through your backup email address — they'll send a link you click to confirm the removal.
Once the old number is removed, you can add your new number following the steps above. This time you'll receive the confirmation code on your new number with no problem.
Why Facebook asks for a phone number and what it's used for
Facebook uses your phone number for two main purposes: account recovery and security. If you forget your password or get locked out of your account, Facebook can text a recovery code to your phone number so you can get back in. If someone tries to log into your account from an unfamiliar location, Facebook may text you a code to verify it's really you.
Your phone number is not displayed on your profile by default and is not visible to other users unless you choose to make it public in your privacy settings. You can control who sees your phone number by going to Settings, then Privacy, and adjusting the "Who can look you up using the phone number you provided?" setting.
The difference between your phone number and your login email
Your phone number and your login email are two separate pieces of information. Changing your phone number does not change your email, and changing your email does not change your phone number. You log in with your email address (or username), and Facebook uses your phone number as a backup way to recover your account if you forget that email or password.
If you want to change the email address you use to log in, that's a different process in the same Settings menu — look for Email under Personal information. You can have multiple email addresses linked to your account, but only one phone number at a time.
What happens after you confirm your new phone number
Once you confirm your new number, Facebook updates its records immediately. Your old number is removed from your account. Any recovery codes or two-factor authentication settings tied to your phone number now use the new number instead.
Facebook may ask you to re-enter your password after confirming the change as an extra security step. This is normal and is designed to make sure no one else made this change without your knowledge. If you see a notification that your account information changed, that's Facebook's security alert system working — it's letting you know something was modified.
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'll stay logged in on all your devices. The phone number change only affects account recovery and security features that use your phone.
Can I have two phone numbers linked to Facebook at once?
No. Facebook allows only one phone number per account at a time. When you add a new number, the old one is automatically removed. If you need to keep both numbers active for recovery purposes, you would need to use a backup email address instead.
What if I enter the wrong phone number by mistake?
If you realize you entered the wrong number before confirming it, go back to Settings and Personal information, then Phone, and click Edit again. You can delete the incorrect number and enter the correct one. Facebook will send a new confirmation code to the correct number.
Does Facebook charge money to change my phone number?
No. Changing your phone number on Facebook is free. You may be charged by your mobile carrier for the text message Facebook sends with the confirmation code, depending on your plan, but Facebook itself does not charge a fee.
Can I change my phone number if I have two-factor authentication turned on?
Yes. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you can still change your phone number using the same process. Your two-factor settings will automatically update to use your new number for security codes.