How to Remove Your Phone Number From the Internet

Has your phone been ringing more often recently?

You might be alarmed to discover your phone number is readily available on Google, social media, and other websites you’re registered with. This vulnerability can lead to unwanted calls and potential privacy breaches. The good news is that you can take immediate steps to remove your personal information from Google, social media, and other corners of the internet.

Here’s how you do it.

How Your Phone Number Ends Up on the Internet

There was a 78 percent increase in data compromises in 2023 compared to 2022. The 3,205 instances translate to over 353 million victims, which is a record for the U.S.1

But this is just one of the reasons why your phone number ends up on the internet. Some of the others include:

• Your phone number is a compulsory field for social media platforms or other website profiles.
• You provided your phone number to participate in a free trial or contest, which resulted in it being published.
• You used your phone number to claim loyalty points, discounts, or coupon codes.

>> Up Next: How to Opt Out of Online Data Collection

How to Remove Your Phone Number From Google

Google uses phone numbers for various reasons. But you can control how they use it. However, if you want your number completely removed from your account, follow these steps.

How to Remove Your Phone Number From Social Media Platforms

Most social media platforms require you to add your phone number during the sign-up process. The good news is that you can remove it without impacting your ability to stay connected with friends and family. You just need to follow these steps.

Facebook

Removing your phone number from Facebook is straightforward. You will need your password handy to complete the process.

1. Log in to your account and click on your profile photo.
2. Click on Settings and Privacy.
3. Go to Accounts Center and select Personal details.
4. Choose Contact info and click on the phone number you want to remove.
5. Hit Delete number and select Delete again to confirm.

Facebook will make you re-enter your password to confirm it’s you. They will also send an email once the change has occurred.

Instagram

Despite the fact that Instagram is owned by Meta, removing your phone number from the platform requires a different approach.

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Go to your profile.
3. Tap the Edit Profile button.
4. Hit Personal Information Settings.
5. Select Contact Info.
6. Choose your phone number.
7. Press Delete Number to remove it from your Instagram account.

X (formerly Twitter)

This social media platform doesn’t have an article on how to remove your phone number. But here are the steps you can follow to delete it.

1. Open the X app.
2. Click on your profile image in the top left-hand corner.
3. Scroll down to Settings and Support.
4. Go to Settings and Privacy.
5. Hit Your Account.
6. Select Account Information.
7. Tap your phone number.
8. Choose Delete Phone Number.

You’ll see a pop-up box confirming the action. It also recommends you add another number, but it won’t impact your ability to use the app.

TikTok

If you don’t want TikTok using your phone number to personalize ads based on your activity, complete these steps to remove it.

1. Log in to your TikTok app.
2. Go to your profile.
3. Tap the three-line button at the top of the screen.
4. Select Settings and Privacy.
5. Choose Account.
6. Go to User Information and then Phone Number.
7. You’ll receive a verification code to confirm your identity.
8. Follow the remaining steps to delete it from your account.

How to Remove Your Phone Number From Websites

While you might be using a VPN to encrypt your traffic, there will be instances where you need to enter personal information into a website. It could be to purchase a product or to sign up for a service.

While a website shouldn’t publish your details online, incidents can happen. Data removal services, like Incogni, can find and remove personal information. You can also purchase subscriptions, and they will scan regularly and delete records throughout the year.

>> Read More: A 2024 guide to data removal services

Google also allows you to remove your address, phone number, and other personal information of yours you find in search results. If you come across any of that information, follow these steps to flag it with Google.

1. Log in to your Google account.
2. Click the More button above the search results.
3. Choose About This Result.
4. Select Remove Result.
5. Pick the reason It Shows My Personal Contact Info.
6. Follow the reporting steps.
7. Press Submit.
8. Finish the process by hitting I’m Done.

You’ll receive a confirmation email that your request was submitted. To monitor the result, go to the Results About You page.

>> Learn More: The best data removal services 2024

The Do Not Call Registry

If you still receive phone calls after removing your number from Google, websites, and social media, you can use the Do Not Call Registry or a data removal service like DeleteMe to protect yourself from telemarketing calls.

Registering your personal phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry is free. It takes up to 31 days to take effect, after which, you shouldn’t receive any telemarketing calls from legitimate companies. However, you might still receive calls from surveys, charities, and political groups.

Keeping Your Phone Number Off the Internet

Even if you’ve followed our VPN guide and are using other security measures to protect your identity, once your phone number is online, it’s up to you to remove it. Every second it’s available means telemarketers, data brokers, and questionable parties can use it for their own means.

Now that you know how to remove your phone number from the Internet, make a checklist of whom you need to contact, restrict app permissions, and remove it from email signatures so it doesn’t appear online again.

>> Up Next: How to Remove Your Name From the Internet