How to Change Your Phone Number on Coinbase

As a leading cryptocurrency exchange with over 73 million users worldwide, Coinbase has become synonymous with crypto trading and investing. Its convenience, user-friendly interface and focus on security have made it a go-to platform for both new and experienced traders.

One of the pillars of Coinbase‘s security is two-factor authentication (2FA). This requires users to enter both their password and a verification code sent to their registered mobile number when logging in or making transactions.

But what if you have changed your phone number or switched carriers and can no longer receive SMS codes from Coinbase? Without access to 2FA, you could get locked out of your account and be unable to trade or withdraw funds.

Fortunately, Coinbase makes it easy to update your phone number right from their website or mobile app. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the step-by-step process of changing your phone number on Coinbase using both desktop and mobile platforms.

As a cryptocurrency analyst with over 5 years of experience using Coinbase, I‘ve helped many users change their numbers without issue. Follow this guide, and you‘ll be back to securely accessing your Coinbase account in no time!

Overview: How Coinbase Phone Number Changes Work

Before jumping into the step-by-step instructions, let‘s briefly cover how the phone number change process works on Coinbase:

You can update your number whether logged in or out of your account. If logged out, you‘ll need to go through the account recovery process.
The update takes effect immediately, but you may need to re-verify the number on next login or transaction.
You‘ll receive a 6-digit SMS code to your new number to confirm it.
It can take 1-3 days for the change to fully propagate across Coinbase‘s systems.
You‘ll also need to update any linked apps like Coinbase Wallet that use your number for 2FA.
Your account history will only show your new number after change.

Now that you know what to expect, let‘s get into the step-by-step process!

When Logged In to Your Account

If you‘re already logged into your Coinbase account, follow these steps:

Click on your profile icon in the top right.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Click on Security in the left sidebar.
Under "Two-factor authentication", click Update phone number.
Enter your new phone number and click Save.
Verify the 6-digit code texted to your new number.

And you‘re all set! The next time you log in or trade, you may need to confirm your new number again before accessing your account.

When Logged Out of Your Account

If you‘re logged out of Coinbase, follow these steps:

Go to the Coinbase login page.
On the 2FA prompt, click "Update phone number".
This brings you to the Account Recovery page.
Select phone number and enter your old and new numbers.
Verify the 6-digit code texted to your new number.
Follow remaining recovery steps to access your account.
Re-enable 2FA with your new number.

Using the account recovery ensures you can still update your number when locked out of your account.

On the Coinbase Mobile App

You can also easily change your number right in the Coinbase mobile app:

Open the Coinbase app and tap the profile icon.
Go to Settings and select Security.
Tap Update phone number.
Enter and verify your new phone number.

And that‘s it! Just a few taps allows you to update your number on-the-go.

Best Practices When Changing Your Coinbase Phone Number

To ensure the number change process is smooth and secure, keep these best practices in mind:

Turn off 2FA before changing numbers to avoid getting locked out of your account.
Have your current Coinbase login handy to access settings or account recovery.
Double check your new number is entered correctly to avoid issues.
Use Coinbase Account Recovery if you lose access to your number before updating it.
Update linked apps like Coinbase Wallet and Coinbase Pro using the same new number.
Contact Coinbase Support via email or phone if you encounter any trouble updating.
Only update your number when absolutely necessary – doing it often can flag your account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Number on Coinbase Pro

Coinbase Pro is Coinbase‘s platform for advanced crypto traders. If you use Pro, here is how to update your phone number:

Go to the Coinbase Pro sign in page.
Click "Having trouble with 2FA?" below the verification field.
Choose phone number and enter your old and new number.
Verify the SMS code sent to your new number.
Follow remaining prompts to access your Pro account.
Re-enable 2FA with your new phone number.

You will go through a similar account recovery process as on regular Coinbase. Allow up to 72 hours for the change to fully take effect.

How to Update Your Coinbase Wallet App Phone Number

Along with Coinbase Pro, you may also need to change your number on Coinbase Wallet:

Open the Coinbase Wallet mobile app.
Go to Settings and tap your name.
Tap Manage next to phone number.
Enter your new phone number and tap Save.
Verify the 6-digit code sent to your new number.

It‘s that easy! Just a few taps in the Wallet app allows you to update your linked phone number as well.

Why It‘s Important to Use 2FA on Your Coinbase Account

Enabling 2FA on your Coinbase account adds an critical layer of security beyond your password:

Prevents unauthorized access to your account – hackers need more than just your password to login.
Alerts you to suspicious activity via SMS codes if someone tries accessing your account.
Makes phishing attempts ineffective as scammers won‘t have your 2FA code.
Provides peace of mind that your account and assets are secure.
Meets regulatory compliance requirements for strong customer authentication.
You can even earn $5 of free crypto from Coinbase when you set up 2FA!

Just be sure your phone number is kept up to date in Coinbase so you don‘t lose access to this important security feature!

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Your Coinbase Phone Number

Here are answers to some common questions when updating your phone number on Coinbase:

How long does it take for Coinbase to change my number?

The number update takes effect immediately, but allot up to 72 hours for it to fully propagate across Coinbase‘s systems. You may need to re-verify it on next usage.

Do I have to update linked apps too?

Yes, you‘ll want to change your number on any other apps like Coinbase Pro and Wallet that also rely on your number for 2FA access.

What if I lost my old number before updating Coinbase?

Use the Coinbase account recovery process to regain access and change your number. You‘ll need to verify your identity.

Can I update my number if 2FA is disabled?

Yes, you can change your number on Coinbase without re-enabling 2FA. Just visit Security settings and select "Update phone number".

How many times can I change my number on Coinbase?

There is no stated limit, but avoid changing it too often as that can flag your account for potential fraud. Only update when necessary.

The Key Takeaways: Updating Your Coinbase Phone Number

To summarize, here are the key points on changing your phone number with Coinbase:

Access account settings or account recovery to update your number.
You‘ll receive a 6-digit SMS code to verify your new number.
The change takes effect immediately but allow 1-3 days to fully propagate.
Update your number on linked apps like Coinbase Pro and Wallet too.
Use account recovery if you lost access to your number already.
Enable 2FA with your new number to keep your account secure.
Contact Coinbase support if you have any issues updating your number.

With this step-by-step guide, you can conveniently update your phone number on Coinbase and all linked apps in just a few minutes!

How to Change Your Phone Number on Coinbase – A Step-by-Step Guide

Overview: How Coinbase Phone Number Changes Work