How to Change Your Phone Number on Amazon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Keeping your Amazon account secure and up-to-date is crucial, and one of the most important pieces of information to manage is your phone number. Your phone number is linked to many security features, including two-factor authentication, password recovery, and order notifications. If you’ve changed your phone number recently, or if the one listed on your Amazon account is no longer accurate, it’s essential to update it promptly. This comprehensive guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to change your phone number on Amazon, ensuring your account remains secure and you receive important updates without any hassle.
## Why Update Your Phone Number on Amazon?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why keeping your phone number current on Amazon is so important:
* **Security:** Your phone number is often used for two-factor authentication (2FA), providing an extra layer of security to protect your account from unauthorized access. If your phone number is outdated, you might not receive the security codes needed to log in, potentially locking you out of your account.
* **Password Recovery:** If you forget your password, Amazon uses your registered phone number to send a verification code to help you reset it. An incorrect phone number can prevent you from regaining access to your account.
* **Order Notifications:** Amazon sends order updates, shipping confirmations, and delivery notifications to your phone number via SMS. Ensuring your number is correct allows you to stay informed about your purchases.
* **Account Recovery:** In cases where you need to verify your identity with Amazon support, having an updated phone number linked to your account can streamline the process.
* **Preventing Fraud:** An outdated number could potentially allow someone else to receive your verification codes, increasing the risk of fraudulent activity on your account.
## Prerequisites
Before starting, make sure you have the following:
* **Your Amazon Account Credentials:** You’ll need your email address or phone number and password to log in to your Amazon account.
* **Your New Phone Number:** Have your new phone number readily available. You’ll need to enter it exactly as it should be.
* **Access to Your Existing Phone Number (Optional but Recommended):** While not always required, having access to your current phone number can be helpful for verification purposes, especially if you have two-factor authentication enabled.
## Step-by-Step Guide: Changing Your Phone Number on Amazon
Here are the detailed steps to change your phone number on Amazon, covering both the desktop website and the mobile app:
### Method 1: Using the Amazon Website (Desktop)
1. **Log in to Your Amazon Account:**
* Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
* Go to the Amazon website: [www.amazon.com](www.amazon.com).
* Click on the “Sign In” button in the upper right corner of the page.
* Enter your registered email address or phone number and your password.
* Click the “Sign In” button.
2. **Access Your Account Settings:**
* Hover your mouse over the “Account & Lists” option in the upper right corner of the page. This will open a dropdown menu.
* From the dropdown menu, click on “Account.”
3. **Navigate to Login & Security Settings:**
* On the “Your Account” page, find the section labeled “Login & Security.” This section contains options for managing your login information, including your name, email address, password, and phone number.
* Click on the “Login & Security” box. This will take you to the login and security settings page.
4. **Edit Your Phone Number:**
* On the “Login & Security” page, you will see a section labeled “Phone Number.” It displays the current phone number associated with your Amazon account.
* Next to the “Phone Number” entry, click on the “Edit” button.
5. **Add or Change Your Phone Number:**
* You’ll be prompted to verify your identity for security reasons. Amazon may send a One-Time Password (OTP) to your current email address or phone number.
* If prompted, enter the OTP in the designated field and click “Verify.”
* In the “Add a Phone Number” or “Change Phone Number” section, you will see fields to enter your new phone number.
* Select your country code from the dropdown menu.
* Enter your new phone number in the provided field, making sure to enter it accurately.
* Click on the “Continue” button.
6. **Verify Your New Phone Number:**
* Amazon will send a verification code (OTP) to your new phone number via SMS.
* Check your phone for the text message and enter the verification code in the designated field on the Amazon website.
* Click on the “Verify” button to confirm your new phone number.
7. **Confirmation:**
* Once your new phone number is successfully verified, Amazon will display a confirmation message indicating that your phone number has been updated.
### Method 2: Using the Amazon Mobile App (iOS and Android)
1. **Open the Amazon App:**
* Locate the Amazon app icon on your smartphone or tablet and tap on it to open the app.
* Make sure you are logged in to your Amazon account. If not, enter your email address or phone number and password to log in.
2. **Access the Main Menu:**
* Tap on the three horizontal lines (also known as a “hamburger menu”) located in the bottom right corner (on iOS) or top left corner (on Android) of the app screen. This will open the main menu.
3. **Navigate to Your Account:**
* In the main menu, scroll down and tap on “Account.” This will take you to your account settings page.
4. **Go to Login & Security:**
* On the “Your Account” page, scroll down and find the section labeled “Login & Security.” Tap on it to access your login and security settings.
5. **Edit Your Phone Number:**
* On the “Login & Security” page, you will see your current phone number listed. Tap on the “Edit” button next to the “Phone Number” entry.
6. **Add or Change Your Phone Number:**
* You may be prompted to verify your identity. Amazon might send a One-Time Password (OTP) to your existing email address or phone number.
* Enter the OTP in the designated field and tap “Verify” if prompted.
* In the “Add a Phone Number” or “Change Phone Number” section, select your country code from the dropdown menu.
* Enter your new phone number in the provided field, ensuring accuracy.
* Tap on the “Continue” button.
7. **Verify Your New Phone Number:**
* Amazon will send a verification code (OTP) to your new phone number via SMS.
* Check your phone for the text message and enter the verification code in the designated field on the Amazon app.
* Tap on the “Verify” button to confirm your new phone number.
8. **Confirmation:**
* Once your new phone number is successfully verified, the Amazon app will display a confirmation message, indicating that your phone number has been updated.
## Troubleshooting Tips
Even with these detailed steps, you might encounter some issues while changing your phone number. Here are some common problems and solutions:
* **Not Receiving the Verification Code (OTP):**
* **Check Your Phone:** Ensure your phone is turned on and has a strong cellular signal.
* **Verify the Number:** Double-check that you entered your new phone number correctly, including the country code.
* **Spam/Junk Folder:** Check your SMS app’s spam or junk folder, as the message might have been filtered.
* **Contact Your Carrier:** Contact your mobile carrier to ensure that SMS messages from short codes are not blocked.
* **Request a New Code:** On the Amazon website or app, there’s usually an option to resend the verification code. Wait a few minutes and try requesting a new code.
* **Unable to Verify Identity:**
* **Use Alternative Verification Methods:** If you can’t verify your identity using the OTP sent to your current phone number or email address, Amazon might offer alternative verification methods, such as answering security questions or providing additional documentation.
* **Contact Amazon Support:** If you’re still unable to verify your identity, contact Amazon customer support for assistance.
* **Account Locked:**
* **Follow Account Recovery Steps:** If your account gets locked due to too many failed login attempts or security concerns, follow the account recovery steps provided by Amazon. This usually involves verifying your identity through email or phone.
* **Contact Amazon Support:** If you’re unable to unlock your account, contact Amazon customer support for help.
* **Error Messages:**
* **Read the Error Message Carefully:** Pay close attention to the error message displayed on the screen. It might provide specific instructions on how to resolve the issue.
* **Try Again Later:** Sometimes, errors are temporary and can be resolved by simply trying again after a few minutes.
* **Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:** If you’re using the Amazon website, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. This can sometimes resolve issues caused by outdated or corrupted data.
## Security Best Practices
Updating your phone number is just one aspect of maintaining a secure Amazon account. Here are some additional security best practices to follow:
* **Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):** 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code from your phone or authenticator app in addition to your password. Enable 2FA in your Amazon account settings.
* **Use a Strong and Unique Password:** Create a strong password that is difficult to guess and is not used for any other online accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
* **Regularly Update Your Password:** Change your Amazon password periodically, especially if you suspect your account might have been compromised.
* **Be Cautious of Phishing Emails and Scams:** Be wary of suspicious emails or messages that ask for your Amazon login credentials or other personal information. Amazon will never ask for your password via email or unsolicited phone calls. Always access your Amazon account directly through the official website or app.
* **Monitor Your Account Activity:** Regularly review your Amazon account activity, including order history, payment methods, and login activity, to identify any unauthorized transactions or suspicious behavior.
* **Keep Your Software Updated:** Ensure that your web browser, operating system, and Amazon app are always updated to the latest versions. These updates often include security patches that protect against vulnerabilities.
* **Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions:** Avoid making purchases or accessing your Amazon account on public Wi-Fi networks, as these networks are often unsecured and can be vulnerable to hacking.
## Conclusion
Keeping your phone number updated on Amazon is a critical step in maintaining the security and functionality of your account. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can easily change your phone number on both the desktop website and the mobile app. Remember to verify your new number promptly and keep these security best practices in mind to ensure your Amazon account remains protected. Regularly reviewing and updating your account information, including your phone number, email address, and password, is a proactive way to safeguard your online identity and prevent unauthorized access to your valuable Amazon account.