Change the Primary Phone Number on Your iPhone for Apple ID & More

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Update the phone number you use on your iPhone
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If you've recently changed phone numbers, update your Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) settings so you don't lose access to important security features, iMessage, FaceTime, and account recovery tools on your iPhone. This wikiHow guide will walk you through how to change your number on your iPhone, as well as how to add other numbers to your Apple Account or change your trusted phone number so it's easier to recover your account.

Quick Steps

  1. Go to Settings > [Your name] > Sign-In & Security .
  2. Tap the primary phone number for your Apple Account.
  3. Select Remove from Account or toggle off Primary phone number .
  4. Select a new primary phone number when prompted.
  5. Follow the instructions to verify your new number.
Section 1 of 6:

Updating Your Primary Phone Number

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  1. You can change your primary phone number in the
    iPhone Settings App Icon
    Settings app on your iPhone. Use this method to change the primary number that you use to sign in to your Apple Account. [1]
    • This method will only work if you used a phone number to create your Apple Account instead of an email address. If you signed up with an email address, you can add or remove phone numbers, but you won’t be able to set one as your primary number.
  2. You’ll see your Apple Account name at the very top of the Settings menu.
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  3. You’ll see this option near the top of the screen.
  4. It should say Primary phone number beneath it.
  5. This is a blue link at the bottom of the page.
    • If the number is associated with iMessage or Facetime, you may need to remove it from those services before you continue. To do so, go to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggle iMessage off. Then, go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime and toggle FaceTime off.
      • Alternatively, visit this page and have a confirmation code sent to your number to deregister it from iMessage and FaceTime.
    • To keep the number attached to your account but stop using it as your primary number, toggle off Primary Phone Number .
  6. When you remove your primary number (or toggle off its Primary Phone Number status), you’ll be prompted to choose a new primary number. Follow the prompts on the screen to do so now.
    • You can either enter a new number or choose one of the numbers already connected to your Apple Account.
    • At this point, you may be prompted to enter a code to verify that you want to deregister your old number.
  7. You may receive a text at your new number with a verification code. Enter the code when prompted.
    • You may not get a verification code if the number you selected is already connected to your Apple Account in some way (e.g., as a Messages number or a Trusted Number).
  8. In some cases, you might be unable to deregister your old phone number because you don’t have access to it anymore. For example, this might happen if someone else now owns that number, or if the iPhone connected to that number has been lost or stolen. In this situation, you can use a primary email instead of a phone number.
    • Go to Settings > [Your name] > Sign-In & Security .
    • Select your current primary phone number.
    • Toggle off Primary Phone Number .
    • Select Add New Primary Phone or Email . You may also be given the option to select an email address already linked to your Apple Account.
    • Tap Existing Email Address to enter an address you already own, or New iCloud Email Address to set up a new iCloud email.
    • Follow the instructions to verify your new email address.
    • If you use this method, you can still add a new phone number to your Apple Account. It just won’t be the primary method for signing into your Apple Account.
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Section 2 of 6:

Adding and Removing Other Numbers

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  1. To add and remove non-primary numbers from your Apple Account, go to
    iPhone Settings App Icon
    Settings > [Your name] > Sign-In & Security .
  2. You’ll see this option at the bottom of the list of addresses and numbers already linked to your Apple Account.
  3. A new page will open.
  4. Use the number pad to type in the phone number. If necessary, use the dropdown above the phone number field to select the correct country code. When you’re done, tap the blue Continue button.
  5. A verification code will be sent to the number you just entered. Enter it on your iPhone when prompted to finish adding the number to your Apple Account.
  6. To remove a number from the list, tap on it. If it’s linked to iMessage and FaceTime, you’ll see a message explaining that you have to turn those off first. Tap Learn More and follow the prompts to continue.
    • If the number is ready to be removed, you’ll see a Remove from Account link when you tap the number. Tap it and follow the instructions on screen.
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Section 3 of 6:

Changing Your Trusted Phone Number

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  1. It's the gray gear icon on your home screen or in the "Utilities" folder. [2]
    • This method will teach you how to change your trusted phone number, which is the phone number Apple uses to send you a verification code when signing in with 2-factor authentication. It also will help you restore your account if you get locked out.
    • You can add a secondary trusted phone number without removing the first if you'd like.
  2. It's at the top of the Settings menu.
  3. It's in the first group of settings.
  4. It's about halfway down the menu.
  5. This option is just below your current trusted phone number.
    • When prompted, enter your PIN, or use Touch ID or Face ID to continue.
  6. After entering your new phone number, choose whether to receive verification codes via text message or phone call, and tap Next .
  7. Enter the code you received via SMS or phone to finish adding your new phone number.
  8. If you no longer use your old phone number, remove it from your trusted numbers list. Tap the number in the Two-Factor Authentication menu and select Remove from Account .
    • Apple recommends adding more than one trusted phone number in case you lose access to your phone. [3] This could be a family member's phone number, a friend's number, or even a Google Voice number.
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Section 4 of 6:

Changing Your iMessage & FaceTime Number

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  1. If you recently got a new phone number, or you have two phone numbers on your iPhone and want to change which is used for iMessage and FaceTime, this method makes it simple. [4]
  2. If you’re using iOS 17 or earlier, Messages will be in the main Settings menu.
    • Check the toggle switch to make sure iMessage is turned on.
  3. It's just under the "iMessage" switch.
  4. If your new phone number didn't have a blue checkmark next to it before, it will now—this means you can receive iMessages to and reply from this phone number.
    • If you see a button that says Use Your Apple Account for iMessage , tap it and log in with the Apple Account linked to the number you want to use.
  5. If you have multiple phone numbers on this iPhone and don't want to use the others for iMessage, tap the number(s) to remove their blue checkmarks.
  6. This returns you to the Settings menu (or the Apps menu, in iOS 18 and later).
  7. It’s in the F section of the Apps menu. If you’re using iOS 17 or earlier, it will be in the main Settings menu.
  8. This ensures that when people FaceTime you (or you FaceTime them), the calls report the proper number.
    • If your old phone number is still listed in either of these sections, tap it to remove its check mark.
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Section 5 of 6:

Changing Your Primary Phone Number (Dual SIM)

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  1. If your iPhone has an eSIM and a physical SIM, you can have two wireless plans (and two phone numbers) on the same phone and change the want you want to use at any time. [5]
    • You need an iPhone X or later with iOS 12.1 or later to use dual SIMs on an iPhone.
  2. It's near the top of the Settings menu.
  3. This displays both numbers associated with your SIM cards.
  4. This switches that number to your primary phone number. This number will be used when you make calls from your device.
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Section 6 of 6:

Getting a New Phone Number

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  1. The only way to get a new phone number is to have a new one assigned to you by a wireless provider . If you haven't already done so, contact your carrier to request a new phone number or line, or switch to a new carrier. Your carrier will either provide a physical SIM card that, when inserted, assigns the new number to your iPhone, or you can have them add it to your eSIM. To contact your carrier, dial 611 .
    • If your iPhone is not unlocked , you may not be able to use a SIM card from another carrier.
  2. If you receive a physical SIM card for your new phone number, inserting it will add the phone number to your iPhone. [6]
  3. If your iPhone has an eSIM , your carrier will provide instructions for adding your new phone number to your iPhone.
    • If they set up eSIM Carrier Activation on your phone, you'll see a pop-up message that says Carrier Cellular plan ready to Be Installed —tap the message, open the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed , then follow the on-screen instructions. [7]
    • The carrier may also send you an activation link that walks you through the process or have you scan a QR code that adds your settings.
    • If you need to add the number to your eSIM manually:
      • Open Settings and tap Cellular or Mobile Data .
      • Go to Add Cellular Plan > Enter Details Manually to enter your eSIM info.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I change the phone number of my Apple ID?
    Jay
    Community Answer
    Phone numbers and Apple IDs are not linked. All you have to do is change your SIM to another phone number and you're done.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 36 Helpful 33
  • Question
    I created two Apple IDs by mistake. One is on my phone number and the other is on my mail ID. How do I merge them or delete/ erase one account completely?
    John Hu
    Community Answer
    You cannot really delete an Apple ID on your own. Contact Apple support and request a termination.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
  • Question
    My iPhone was destroyed in a car accident, and I have a new one coming. How do I start over?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    When you get your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the on-screen instructions. During setup, you’ll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. If you have a recent iCloud backup, you can restore your data by selecting "Restore from iCloud Backup" and signing in to your Apple ID. If you don’t have a backup, you can start fresh by choosing "Set Up as New iPhone." You can also restore from an iTunes backup if you made one before your old phone was damaged. Once everything is set up, don’t forget to enable Find My iPhone and set up any other preferences like passwords and notifications.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      • You can also change your primary phone number on the web. Sign out of all devices that use your Apple Account, then go to https://account.apple.com/ . Go to Sign-In and Security > Apple Account and enter the new number, then click Change Apple Account . Follow the prompts to verify your new number.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105034
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102660
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108758
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109317
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap your name.
      3. Tap Password & Security .
      4. Tap Edit .
      5. Tap Add a Trusted Phone Number .
      6. Enter the phone number and contact preference.
      7. Tap Send .
      8. Confirm the verification code.
      9. Remove the old phone number.

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