Changing your phone number on Facebook is a straightforward process that can be done directly through the Facebook website or mobile app. Here are the steps to update your phone number with Facebook:
Use Facebook Website
If you want to change your phone number on Facebook using a computer, follow these steps:
- Go to Facebook.com and log into your account
- Click on the down arrow at the top right of your Facebook page and select “Settings”
- On the left sidebar, click “Mobile”
- Enter your new phone number in the “Mobile Phones” section
- Click “Add” next to your new phone number
- Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new phone number. Enter it and click “Confirm”
- Your old phone number will be removed and your new number will be set as the primary phone number on your Facebook account
Once you update your phone number, Facebook will send any login alerts or notifications to your new phone number going forward.
Use Facebook Mobile App
You can also change your phone number directly from the Facebook mobile app for iOS or Android. Here is how:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone
- Tap the three line menu icon in the top right
- Go to “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings”
- Tap “Mobile”
- Enter your new phone number and tap “Add”
- Confirm the code sent to your new phone number
- Your old phone number will be removed and replaced with the new number
The process is very similar in the mobile app. Just navigate to the Mobile section in your Settings and update the phone number there.
Removing Old Number from Account
When you add a new phone number to your Facebook account, your old number is automatically removed as the primary phone number. However, it will still be visible under the “Other mobile numbers on your account” section.
If you want to completely remove your old phone number from Facebook, here are the steps:
- Go to the Mobile settings section
- Find your old phone number under “Other mobile numbers on your account”
- Click on “Remove” next to the old number
- Confirm that you want to remove that phone number
Once you remove your old phone number, it will no longer be associated with your account at all.
Recovering Account with New Number
After updating your phone number, if you ever get logged out or lose access to your account, you can use the new number you added to recover access to your Facebook account.
Here is how you can use your new phone number to log back into Facebook if you get locked out:
- Go to Facebook.com and click “Forgot Password”
- Enter your Facebook username or email and click Search
- Facebook will give you several account recovery options, choose “Text a code to your mobile phone”
- Enter the phone number you recently added to your account
- Facebook will text a 6-digit confirmation code to that new phone number
- Enter the code Facebook texted you to regain access to your account
This allows you to use your new phone number as a way to recover and log back into your account if you ever get locked out for some reason.
Updating Number on Facebook Messenger
If you use Facebook Messenger as your primary messaging app, you will also need to update your phone number there so you can receive Messenger SMS notifications and alerts.
Here is how to change your phone number on Messenger:
- Open the Messenger app on your phone
- Tap your profile photo in the top left
- Go to your profile settings
- Tap “Contact Info”
- Tap “Mobile Number”
- Enter your new phone number and tap “Done”
Messenger will automatically detect if you have changed your number on your Facebook account. But it is still a good idea to double check Messenger has your latest phone number as well.
Important Things to Know
Here are some important things to keep in mind when changing your phone number on Facebook:
- You can only change your phone number once every 60 days
- Your old phone number will no longer receive 2FA codes or alerts from Facebook
- Any phone contacts who had your old number will need your new number
- Update your number everywhere else you use your phone for 2FA (email, other apps, etc)
- Your Facebook posts or messages do not get affected when you change your number
Overall, updating your mobile number on Facebook is easy and can be done right from your account settings or mobile app. Just remember to also update Messenger and anywhere else you use that number so that you don’t miss important alerts and notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about changing your phone number on Facebook:
Does Facebook notify contacts about the number change?
No, Facebook does not proactively notify any of your contacts or friends when you update your phone number. You will have to personally let anyone know if you have a new number.
Can I revert back to my old phone number?
Yes, you can switch back to a previous phone number that was connected to your account as long as you still have access to it. Just go through the steps to add a new number again using the old number.
What happens if I lose access to the number on my account?
If you no longer have access to the phone number associated with your account, you can still recover your account through other methods like email confirmation or by verifying your identity.
How long does it take for the number change to update?
It should only take a few minutes for Facebook to verify and update your phone number across all their systems like Messenger. You should be able to receive SMS or calls on your new number right away.
Is two-factor authentication still enabled after changing my number?
Yes, two-factor authentication stays active even after you update your phone number. The codes will just be sent to your new number going forward.
Conclusion
Updating your phone number on Facebook is quick and straightforward either through the website or mobile app settings. Just make sure to also update Messenger and any other accounts tied to that number. Let your important contacts know you have a new number as well. Overall, Facebook makes it easy to update your mobile number while keeping your account safe and secure.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Website | Can update from a computer | Takes more steps to navigate to settings |
| Facebook Mobile App | Faster to update number | Need access to your phone |
This table summarizes the main pros and cons of using the Facebook website versus mobile app to change your phone number. Both methods are easy, but the mobile app is often more convenient if you have your phone handy.
Changing your contact information is an important part of keeping your Facebook account secure. With over 2 billion users, Facebook is one of the most widely used apps globally. Users often connect their Facebook profiles to other apps and services for easy signup and authentication.
Having your latest phone number associated with your account ensures that you can access important login alerts, notifications, two-factor authentication codes, and account recovery options. It also allows friends and family to contact you on Messenger or see your updated number on your Facebook profile.
Overall, updating your mobile number is essential step to stay connected and maintain control of your Facebook account. Facebook tries to make it as convenient as possible by letting you update it right from your profile settings. So whether you switched phone carriers or got a new device, be sure to take a minute to change your number on Facebook and any other apps tied to that number.