Hey everyone! I recently switched to an iPhone 15 Pro Max and changed my phone number to make sure my ex couldn't reach me. However, now I'm in a bit of a bind because I have many subscriptions and accounts that rely on my old number for two-factor authentication. I have most of my login details written down, but I'm not sure if there's a way to update my phone number across all platforms in one go. Is there a way to do this through Apple or some other method? I've never changed my number before, and with a busy schedule due to transferring universities, I haven't had much time to look into it. Thanks for your help!
2 Answers
If a site uses SMS for 2FA, you're likely going to need to email them from your account email or call to get your number updated. A handy tip would be to switch to an authenticator app where you can. This could help you avoid tying your phone number to your account for 2FA. Just keep in mind that many authenticator apps don’t sync to the cloud, so if you ever lose or erase your phone, you might lose your codes unless you have one that does (which might come with a fee). Also, I highly recommend transitioning away from SMS-based 2FA since it’s not as secure as other options like TOTP authenticator apps or hardware authenticator devices like Yubikeys. Just assess your own security needs to choose what’s best for you.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic button that lets you change your phone number across all your accounts at once; every service manages that on its own. For things tied to your Apple ID like iCloud and iMessage, you can change it via Apple. But for banking apps, streaming services, or any site using two-factor authentication (2FA), you’ll have to update each one manually in their settings. Since you’ve got your login info noted down, it’s best to go through each account and do the updates before you lose access. For accounts that only let you login through that old number, you might need to reach out to their support team for help.
Okay thank you!