How to Create a New Facebook Account Without a Phone Number

How to create a new Facebook account without a phone number is a question millions of users ask, not just for convenience, but for privacy, security, and control over personal data. With Facebook increasingly requesting phone numbers for verification, many people prefer alternatives that don’t expose their identity or connect their real number to social platforms.

The good news? You can open a fully functional Facebook account without ever sharing your phone number. Whether you want more privacy, a clean second account, or simply prefer email verification, this guide explains every safe method step-by-step and shows how to register without relying on a personal phone number.

Why Users Avoid Adding Their Phone Number to Facebook

Providing a phone number to Facebook can increase exposure to privacy risks. Phone numbers serve as unique identifiers that link directly to user profiles and can be used for advertising, cross-platform tracking, or identity association. Even outside of breaches, providing a phone number can increase users' susceptibility to targeted advertising and automated profiling.

In April 2021, a dataset containing information from over 500 million Facebook users was made publicly available. The data reportedly exploited a vulnerability that Facebook fixed in August 2019. Most records included phone numbers, names, and genders, and many also contained dates of birth, locations, relationship status, and employer information, while only a small portion—around 2.5 million—contained email addresses.

This event demonstrated that accounts linked to phone numbers are at risk of broader data exposure, as phone numbers were included in most leaked records.

How to Create a New Facebook Account Without a Phone Number: Step-by-Step

Users can create a Facebook account without a phone number using two main methods: registering with an email address or using a virtual/temporary phone number. Both methods work the same as a normal account, including posting, messaging, and joining groups, and they function on desktop browsers, mobile browsers, and the Facebook app.

Option 1: Using an Email Address

Facebook allows users to register using only an email address. This method works across desktop browsers, mobile browsers, and the Facebook mobile app.

Step 1: Visit the Facebook registration page

Open www.facebook.com or the Facebook mobile app and select Create New Account.

Step 2: Enter personal information

Provide your first and last name, date of birth, and gender.

Step 3: Choose to sign up with email

Select Sign up with email to use an email address instead of a phone number.

Step 4: Enter your email address
Type a valid email address that you can access for verification.

Step 5: Create a password
Create a strong, secure password for your account.

Step 6: Confirm your email
Check your inbox for Facebook’s confirmation email and follow the instructions to verify your account.

Tip: Use a Secure or Encrypted Email Provider

For long-term account safety, consider registering with an email provider that emphasizes privacy and security. Providers such as Proton Mail or Tuta help protect your account against unauthorized access, phishing, and data aggregation. This reduces exposure to attacks that target mainstream email services.

Option 2: Using a Virtual or Temporary Number via SMSFAST

Virtual numbers allow registration without revealing a personal phone number. SMSFAST provides temporary numbers specifically for receiving verification codes online.

Step 1: Access SMSFAST

Log in to your SMSFAST account. New users can create an account through the registration page.

Step 2: Add funds to your balance

Use the top-up option to deposit sufficient funds for purchasing a temporary number. Multiple payment methods are supported.

Step 3: Select Facebook and your region

From the service menu, choose Facebook. Then pick the country or region for the temporary number.

Step 4: Purchase a temporary number

Select the purchase option. SMSFAST generates and activates the temporary number automatically within a few seconds.

Step 5: Copy the number to Facebook

Enter the temporary phone number in the Facebook registration form.

Step 6: Receive and enter the verification code

Wait for the OTP to appear in your SMSFAST account. Copy the code and input it in Facebook to complete verification. You can refresh or check messages directly via the SMSFAST interface if needed.

Tip: Choose the right country for your SMSFAST number

Selecting the right country can affect how quickly Facebook sends OTPs. Countries with higher delivery reliability, such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, or the United Kingdom, often receive codes faster because their local SMS routes are more stable. If a selected country frequently delays or fails to deliver OTPs, switching to another region generally resolves the issue.

You can also pick a country that matches the region of your Facebook interface, which may improve code delivery and reduce verification errors.

Troubleshooting: Common Verification Problems

Why Facebook Asks for Your Phone Number

Facebook collects phone numbers to support core security workflows, identity verification, and internal data-matching systems used across its platforms.

Account security and identity validation

A phone number acts as a stable identifier in Facebook’s security systems, where it is used to validate identity, block automated sign-ups, and detect unusual login activity. It helps the platform verify real users, block automated sign-ups, detect abnormal login attempts, and reduce spam or duplicate accounts. These processes operate continuously across all regions where Facebook is available.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS

When SMS-based 2FA is enabled, Facebook sends one-time verification codes to the stored number during login attempts that occur on unfamiliar devices or under higher security checks. This adds a second authentication layer beyond passwords and is supported on both mobile and desktop environments.

Account recovery and password reset

If a user loses access to their email or forgets their password, the linked phone number becomes a recovery method within Facebook’s reset flow. The platform may send a recovery code to the number during identity confirmation steps, especially after failed login attempts or security lockouts.

Advertising-related data matching

Phone numbers function as identifiers within Facebook’s advertising system. When advertisers upload customer contact lists, Facebook compares the submitted phone numbers to user accounts to form custom audiences. This matching process determines which users are eligible to receive specific ads. The association occurs within Facebook’s internal advertising infrastructure and operates separately from security or login features.

Conclusion

Creating a new Facebook account without a phone number is completely possible, and both available methods — email registration and virtual numbers — offer simple, secure, and privacy-friendly alternatives. Email sign-up works for most users, while temporary numbers provide an effective backup when Facebook delays or rejects email verification. By choosing the method that matches your privacy needs, you gain full access to all Facebook features without exposing your personal phone number.

FAQ

1. How to create a new Facebook account?

To create a new Facebook account, visit www.facebook.com or open the mobile app and select Create New Account. Provide your first and last name, date of birth, and gender. Then choose either an email address or a phone number for verification, create a strong password, and follow the instructions to complete registration.

2. Can you create a Facebook account without a phone number?

Yes. Facebook allows users to register using only an email address. This method supports login, verification, notifications, and password recovery across all regions where Facebook operates.

3. How do I create a Facebook account with only an email?

During registration, select Sign up with email instead of entering a phone number. Enter a valid email address, create a secure password, and complete verification through the confirmation email sent to that address. 

4. Why is Facebook forcing me to use a phone number?

Facebook may request a phone number for additional verification during suspicious login attempts, high-risk actions, or when creating multiple accounts from the same device. Providing a number helps the platform maintain account security and reduce fraudulent activity, though using an email alone is sufficient for most users.

5. How do I create a second personal Facebook account?

You can create a second account by registering with a different email address or a separate phone number. Each account must use a unique email or phone number, and Facebook may ask for additional verification if it detects multiple accounts linked to the same device or IP.

6. Can you be anonymous on Facebook?

Full anonymity is not possible because Facebook requires a real name, date of birth, and contact method for registration. However, you can limit visibility by adjusting privacy settings, using a secure email, and avoiding linking personal phone numbers or other identifying information.