You can add, update, or remove phone numbers on your Google Account. Phone numbers are used for different reasons, and you have controls to manage how your numbers are used.
Important: It may take a week before you can use your new phone number to verify it's you for sensitive actions like changing your password.
Add, update or remove phone number
- In your Google Account, open the Personal info tab.
- Select Contact info
Phone number
your phone number.
- From here you can:
- Add your phone number: Next to phone, select Add a recovery phone to help keep your account secure. Select the country associated with your phone number from the drop-down menu and enter your phone number.
- Change your phone number: Next to your number, select Edit
Update number.
- Delete your phone number: Next to your number, select Delete
Remove number.
- In the box that appears, follow the instructions.
Note: Changing the number in your Google Account only affects some Google services. Find out how to change your number for other Google services.
How phone numbers are used
As part of some Google services
Your phone number is connected to certain Google services that you've set up or used.
To see some services that use your phone number, check the Phone section of your Google Account. To learn more or make changes, click or tap the service.
Other Google services that use phone numbers might not be listed on that page. You can change your number in certain services' settings, like the ones below:
- 2-Step Verification
- Calendar: Learn how phone numbers are used
- Chrome: Learn how phone numbers are used
- Google Pay
- Google My Business
Change how your number is used
To see your options for a certain service, go to its settings. If you need help, visit support.google.com.
Make sign-in & account recovery easier
You can use your phone number to:
- Sign in to your account in certain places. Learn how to sign in with your phone number.
- Get back into your account if you have trouble signing in. For example, you can get a text with a code to reset your password. Learn more about recovery phone numbers.
Help people get in touch with you
You can manage who sees your phone number. To change who can view your number, go to About me.
Learn how your phone number can help people find and connect with you on Google services. To change these settings, go to the Phone section of your Google Account.
Turn "Better ads & Google services" on or off
This setting lets your phone number to be used across Google services to show you ads more relevant to you. If you don’t want personalized ads, turn off the setting.
- Open your Google Account.
- On the left or at the top, click Personal info.
- In the "Contact info" section, click Phone.
- Select the phone number that you want to make changes to.
- Under "Preferences,"turn on or off "Better ads and Google services."
Tip: If turned on, "Across Google" appears under the Usage section.
Improve your experience across Google
If "Across Google" is listed on your "Phone" page, this number can be used across Google services.
Check if your number is used this way
- Go to the Phone section of your Google Account.
- Next to "Usage," look for "Across Google."
Stop using your number across Google
- Go to the Phone section of your Google Account.
- Next to your number, select Delete
Remove number.
- Go to the Recovery phone section of your Google Account and re-add your number.
- To keep using your number in other Google services, go to those services and re-add it.
Verify your phone number
When you set up a Google Account, you can let Google know your phone's number. If you do, we'll verify that the number is yours, and we'll try to re-verify it from time to time to make sure that it's still yours. Learn more about verifying your number.
Google doesn’t sell your personal information, including your phone number, to anyone. To learn more, visit privacy.google.com.
Get step-by-step visual guides on the tools and practices that will help you protect your personal information with Google's Online Security Guidebook.
As an enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of Google Account management and online security, let me provide you with insights into the concepts discussed in the article you shared.
Managing phone numbers on your Google Account is crucial for security and personalization. Here are key concepts covered in the article:
-
Adding, Updating, or Removing Phone Numbers:
- Access the Personal Info tab in your Google Account.
- Under Contact Info, navigate to the Phone Number section.
- You can add a recovery phone for account security, update your existing number, or remove a number.
-
Timeline for Changes:
- Note that it may take a week for a new phone number to be fully usable, especially for sensitive actions like changing your password.
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How Phone Numbers Are Used:
- Your phone number is connected to specific Google services you've set up.
- Services such as 2-Step Verification, Calendar, Chrome, Google Pay, and Google My Business may use your phone number.
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Changing Number for Other Services:
- Some services may not be listed on the Phone section, so it's essential to check individual service settings for number changes.
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Using Phone Numbers for Sign-in and Account Recovery:
- Phone numbers facilitate signing in to your account and recovering it if needed.
- You can receive a text with a code for password reset.
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Privacy Settings:
- Manage who can see your phone number in the "About me" section.
- Adjust settings in the Phone section to control how your number helps people find and connect with you on Google services.
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Better Ads & Google Services:
- Enable or disable the "Better ads & Google services" setting to control personalized ads.
- This setting allows your phone number to be used across Google services for more relevant ads.
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Verification of Phone Number:
- When setting up a Google Account, you can provide your phone number for verification.
- Google verifies and periodically re-verifies your number to ensure its ownership.
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Privacy Assurance:
- Google emphasizes not selling personal information, including phone numbers, to anyone.
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Additional Help:
- Users can seek help from the community or follow specific steps listed at the end of the article for various account management tasks.
Understanding and managing these concepts ensures a secure and personalized experience while using Google services. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any of these points, feel free to ask!