So you changed your phone number and now Facebook is acting like you don’t exist anymore… fantastic, right??
You’re trying to log in, Facebook asks for a verification code, and boom! That code is being sent to some phone number you haven’t had in months (or maybe years). What the actual fuck are you supposed to do now??
I‘m not going to lie to you… this is one of the most frustrating situations you’ll ever deal with on social media!!
And here’s the kicker!! Facebook makes it feel nearly impossible to recover your account without that old number! But before you completely give up and kiss your decade of photos and memories goodbye, there ARE actually ways around this mess. Some work better than others, and yeah, you’re gonna need some patience.
Why This Problem Exists (And Why Facebook Doesn’t Care)
Facebook ties everything to your phone number for “security purposes.” Sounds great in theory!! But what happens when that security feature becomes the thing locking you OUT of your own account?
Then it’s just a pain in the ass…
The platform assumes everyone keeps the same phone number forever, which is completely hallucinating… people switch carriers, move countries, get new numbers all the time! But Facebook’s system doesn’t give a shit about your life changes. It just wants that code sent to the number on file, end of story.
So now you’re stuck in this catch-22 where the “security” measure meant to protect you is actually preventing you from accessing your own stuff. Makes zero sense!!
Your Best Shot: Try Email Recovery First
Before you panic completely, check if you have an email address linked to your Facebook account. This is your golden ticket if you set it up!
Go to the Facebook login page and click “Forgot Password” below where you’d normally type your password. When it asks for your phone number or email, enter your email address instead. If Facebook has your email on file, they’ll send a recovery code or reset link there.
Check your spam folder too! Sometimes these emails end up in the junk pile, especially if you haven’t gotten Facebook emails before. And make sure you can actually access that email account. If it’s some old Hotmail from 2009 that you also can’t get into, well… you’re back to square one.
If email recovery works, you’re golden! Change your password immediately and update your phone number in settings before this happens again. But if email doesn’t work or you never added one, keep reading.
The “No Longer Have Access” Button
On the recovery page, you might see an option that says “No longer have access to these?” Click that shit!! This tells Facebook you can’t get codes to your old contact info anymore.
Facebook will then ask you to provide a NEW email address or phone number where they can reach you. Enter your current info and they’ll (hopefully) send recovery instructions there instead. But fair warning… this doesn’t always work. Sometimes Facebook just loops you back to the same verification screen like they’re messing with you on purpose.
Trusted Contacts: Your Secret Weapon (If You Set It Up)
Here’s something most people don’t know about… Facebook Trusted Contacts!! If you set this up before getting locked out, your friends can literally save your ass right now.
It’s simple: you pick 3-5 Facebook friends who can help you recover your account. Facebook sends them special recovery codes, they give you the codes, boom! You’re back in.
To use it, go to the recovery page and look for “Reveal My Trusted Contacts.” Type in one friend’s full name. Facebook shows you a URL to send them. They visit that URL, log into their Facebook, and get a code for you. Repeat with 2 more friends and you’re golden!!
But here’s the catch… if you DIDN’T set this up beforehand?? You’re fucked! Can’t set it up while locked out. It’s like trying to buy insurance after your house burns down. Facebook should plaster this feature everywhere because it’s a lifesaver, but nope.
Identity Verification: The Nuclear Option
Alright, so email didn’t work and you never set up Trusted Contacts… now what? Time for the identity verification route. Yeah, that means uploading your government ID to Facebook!
I know… giving Facebook your driver’s license feels sketchy as hell! But when you’re desperate, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Go to facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339 and upload a clear photo of your ID. Quick checklist:
**Name on ID must match Facebook name exactly** – Using a nickname? This won’t work.
**Photo must be crystal clear** – Good lighting, all four corners visible, text readable. No blurry crap!!
**Provide a working email** – They gotta contact you somehow.
After submitting, Facebook reviews it manually… this takes anywhere from 24 hours to WEEKS. Sometimes they respond fast, sometimes crickets!! It’s a waiting game that sucks when you need your account NOW.
They approve it? Great, check that new email for instructions! They reject it? You might be screwed, and they won’t even tell you why.
Try Logging In From a Recognized Device
Here’s something that works sometimes… if you still have your OLD phone (the one with the old number), try logging in from that device!! Even if the SIM card is gone or the number is deactivated, Facebook might recognize the device itself and let you through.
Same goes for your computer or laptop if you’ve used it to access Facebook before. Facebook remembers devices you’ve logged in from, so it might skip the phone verification if it recognizes you’re on a trusted device.
And if you’re at home, using your home WiFi that Facebook has seen before? Even better! The combination of recognized device + recognized network might be enough for Facebook to go “okay, this is probably really them” and let you through.
This doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worth trying before you go through the whole ID verification hassle. If you’re dealing with other login issues at the same time, check out this guide about Facebook logging you out constantly.
What If Nothing Works? Your Last Resort Options
So you’ve tried everything… email recovery didn’t work, you never set up Trusted Contacts, ID verification got rejected or ignored, and you don’t have access to old devices. Are you completely fucked? Pretty much, yeah… but there are still a couple Hail Mary options.
Contact Your Old Phone Carrier
This sounds crazy but hear me out! If you still have the same carrier, sometimes they can temporarily reactivate your old number or forward texts to your new number. Call their customer service, explain the situation, and see if they can help. Some carriers are cool about it, others will tell you to pound sand.
Create a Dummy Account to Report the Issue
Make a brand new Facebook account with your current contact info. Then use that account to fill out Facebook’s “Report a Login Issue” form. Explain that you’re locked out of your real account because of the phone number situation. Include as much detail as possible: when you created the account, what email/phone was originally on it, why you can’t access those anymore, etc.
Will this work? Honestly… probably not! Facebook’s support for reguar users is basically non-existent. But it’s worth a shot if you’ve got nothing left to lose.
Accept Defeat and Start Over
Look, I hate to say it, but sometimes the account is just gone… if you tried everything and Facebook isn’t responding, you might have to accept that this account is a lost cause and create a new one. It sucks ass losing all your photos, memories, friends list, and everything else! But at least with a new account, you can set things up RIGHT this time.
When you make your new account, immediately add a backup email, set up Trusted Contacts, save your recovery codes somewhere safe, and keep your contact info updated. Learn from this nightmare so it doesn’t happen again!
How to Prevent This From Happening Again
Okay, you got your account back (or you’re starting fresh). Here’s how to avoid this nightmare again:
Add multiple recovery options like backup emails and phone numbers. More ways for Facebook to reach you = better chances of recovery!
Set up Trusted Contacts RIGHT NOW. Go to Settings > Security and Login > Choose 3 to 5 friends. Pick people you actually talk to outside Facebook!
Save your recovery codes in a password manager. These work even without your phone.
Update info BEFORE changing numbers. Switching carriers soon? Change it in Facebook settings FIRST, not after! This seems obvious but people forget constantly.
Use an authenticator app instead of SMS. Google Authenticator or Authy aren’t tied to phone numbers, so changing numbers won’t lock you out!
If you’re also dealing with two-factor codes not showing up, here’s how to fix that mess. And if you can’t even reset your password properly, this guide covers that nightmare too.
Real Talk: Facebook’s Recovery System Is Broken
Let’s be honest about what’s happening here… Facebook’s account recovery system is designed for people who have perfect records and never lose access to anything. But that’s not how real life works!!
People change phone numbers. Email accounts get old and forgotten. Devices break or get lost! And Facebook’s system doesn’t give a fuck about any of that. It just keeps asking for info you don’t have anymore, with no real alternative.
The trusted contacts feature is great, but most users have NO IDEA it exists until it’s too late. The ID verification process is slow, inconsistent, and sometimes doesn’t work at all. And good luck actually reaching a human at Facebook unless you’re paying them for ads!
So yeah, the system is broken… but knowing the workarounds can save your ass when you need them. It’s not perfect, but it’s what we’ve got to work with.
What You Need to Remember
Getting locked out because you changed numbers is hell… but not always hopeless! Try email recovery first. Click “no longer have access” if needed!! Use Trusted Contacts if you set them up. Upload your ID as last resort. Try old devices. Contact your carrier. Create a dummy account to report it.
And if you’re starting fresh? Set up EVERYTHING this time. Multiple emails, Trusted Contacts, recovery codes, authenticator apps. Don’t learn this lesson twice!
Stay safe out there, and maybe keep that phone number a little longer next time::
If you’ve been through this hell too, share this with your friends so they don’t make the same mistake!