Are you feeling frustrated with the constant notifications on your FB account, urging you to add your contact number for two-factor authentication? If this is bothering you, don’t worry! In this article, we will discuss how to get rid of Facebook asking for your phone number and also answer other related questions that you might have. So, let’s begin!
How to Get Rid of Facebook Asking for Phone Number
When you make your phone number public on Facebook, it could be misused and shared with phishing circles, which can lead to potential security risks. To stay safe, you must avoid sharing it. However, if Facebook keeps asking for your number, follow this guide to stop the continuous asking!
Can Facebook Be Used Without Phone Number?
Yes, you can use Facebook without a phone number.
You can get rid of Facebook asking for a phone number by two methods, depending on whether your two-factor authentication is on or off.
Method 1: Get Rid of Facebook Asking for Phone Number Without 2FA
If you have two-factor authentication turned off on Facebook, you can start by completely removing your phone or mobile number from your account. To find out how to do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Facebook app on your mobile phone.
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines at the topmost right of the phone screen.
3. Scroll down to tap on Settings & privacy and open Settings in it.
4. Tap on Personal information from the Settings page.
5. Now, tap on Contact info and under Manage contact info, tap where your mobile number is displayed on the screen.
6. Tap on Remove to get rid of your mobile number from your Facebook account.
7. Tap on Remove number to confirm.
Also Read: How to Search Facebook by Phone Number
Method 2: Get Rid of Facebook Asking for Phone Number With 2FA
Follow the steps below to get rid of your contact number if your two-factor authentication is on.
1. Open your Facebook account on your desktop or PC.
2. Click on your profile picture and select Settings.
3. Next, click on Security and login.
4. Click on Edit for Use two-factor authentication.
5. Under Added Security, click to remove your phone number. A pop-up will tell you that doing so turns off two-factor authentication.
6. Click on OK and then head back to Settings to set up two-factor authentication once again.
Should I Remove My Phone Number from Facebook?
You may want to completely remove or disassociate your phone number from Facebook and there are legitimate reasons for it.
- Once you add your phone number, people may get your contact information by simply visiting your Facebook profile. You may face harassment while being tormented by suspicious and fake calls from unknown users. At times, your phone number may circulate in phishing chains which may finally force you to delete your Facebook account completely.
- It’s essential to update your mobile number on Facebook whenever you get a new SIM card or phone number. If you don’t, someone else might gain access to your account using your old phone number and use it for account recovery purposes, potentially locking you out of your own account.
What Do You Do When Someone Uses Your Phone Number on Facebook?
No one can legally use your phone number until you verify it through the One Time Password sent to your own mobile phone. If you have done so, you can log out of all other associated accounts by removing your phone number from your Facebook account as explained above.
On doing so, your number will be removed as you will be logged out from all your devices. Report as soon as possible to the nearby police station to file a complaint of cybercrime.
Note: Technically, you cannot have two separate Facebook accounts under the same phone number. Once you sign up on Facebook with a particular mobile number or email ID, that number or email is saved under the Facebook database.
Also Read: How to Find Someone’s Phone Number from Facebook
Why Does Facebook Keep Asking Me for My Phone Number?
Facebook might keep asking you for your phone number due to the reasons mentioned below.
- You may have added your phone number previously and Facebook needs to verify it accordingly.
- A long interval of time has passed since you last added or updated your phone number.
- As a customer-convenience service, Facebook might have received information from your device and wants to suggest using your phone number to socially stay connected.
- Lastly, you may not have added your phone number to your Facebook account yet, and it wants to show you how you can do that.
Note: Your phone number will only be added on Facebook after you confirm it. Once you do so, you can limit the audience, the number of people who can see your phone number to Public, to Friends of Friends, to Friends, and finally to Only Me, which is the best choice. You can also choose to remove it from your account at any time.
Why is Facebook Forcing Me to Add a Phone Number?
While Facebook is asking for your phone number, you may feel that it is forcing you to add one. There are several reasons why it does so.
- Facebook allows you to log in to your account with a mobile number if you forget your email or password to log in.
- Facebook sends you SMS notifications on your mobile number which concerns your activity log, promotions, and account safety.
- Your mobile number at times helps Facebook to get you socially connected with features like People You May Know, displayed on your Facebook News Feed.
- Facebook also provides and improves ads. This usually means that they match your contact information with the information they get from other sources, for example, when you see an ad on Facebook.
Note: Facebook never sells personal information, especially a user’s mobile number to anyone. You can choose to either show or hide your mobile number from being displayed on your Facebook profile.
How Do I Stop Facebook Messenger from Asking for My Phone Number
You cannot stop Facebook Messenger from asking for your phone number. It essentially works on the contact number provided by the Facebook user. However, if you change your number, you can update it on Messenger so that your contact ID remains valid for your safety.
This brings us to the end of our article on how to get rid of Facebook asking for a phone number. If you have any queries or suggestions, then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.
What about for “Facebook Protect” ? How to turn it off.
I am not in the public eye, I do not have a high-target account, and I definitely do not “have the potential to reach a lot of people”. Compared to many/most, I hardly have any FB friends, I have less than 400 FB friends, people who I actually KNOW, not just facebook friended. I’m just a regular ole retired person who doesn’t even use facebook very much at all. I have almost no personal information in my FB account and do not want “facebook protect”.
Today Facebook is now not allowing me into my account. When I try to go into FB, the entire middle of my screen says “You must turn on Facebook Protect to unlock your account” … I have 2 options … 1. an authentication app which is currently not working for technical problems they are currently trying to fix supposedly, or 2. provide a phone number for text message two factor authentication. I do not have my phone number in FB, so I would have to provide them with my number, which I do not want to do.
Would love to see this article also address folks who are having this “feature” forced on them.
Oh, and for the most part I only use FB on my laptop. I do not have the Facebook app and only VERY rarely open Facebook in Safari on my phone.
I can’t log in because Facebook is asking for a mobile phone number, and I don’t have a mobile phone.
I’m really p’d off with Facebook. I’ve been using it for a few years but recently, it’s been a demon to log into, with your password isnor recognised” when I’m entered the same password I’ve used for years, I’ve tried to get a new password then then they tell me that’s no recognise either. Today I in put my password and was asked for my phone number.so Thanks but no thanks facebook. I’ll use instagram for a while and if that starts asking me for phone number, I’ll start using Proton mail to contact friends. We have all been trusting of these email providers but when it looks like they want to spy on ever aspect of our lives, welll… Go take a hike Facebook. I’m done!