Airbnb phone verification: what to know
In short
- Guests need a verified phone number before booking, and hosts before listing.
- Airbnb says landlines and most virtual numbers, such as VoIP, may not receive its code.
- Changing your number needs two-factor authentication; without access, Airbnb’s Need Help route takes 12 to 24 hours.
Airbnb uses your phone number for bookings, so guests, hosts and Airbnb can reach you.
Adding a number
Go to Account settings, then Personal information, then Phone number, and choose Edit. Pick the country code, enter the number, and Airbnb texts a 4-digit code.
Numbers that may not work
Airbnb says some phone types might not get its code: landlines, office lines that route to several people, and most virtual numbers, such as VoIP services. It also says a newly added number can take up to 14 days before it can be used for some verification steps.
“Number already in use”
Try logging in with your email instead, or remove the number from the other account, or add a different one.
If you can’t reach your old number
Airbnb asks for two-factor authentication before you add or change a number. Without access to any number on the account, choose Need Help on that screen; Airbnb says it gets back to you within 12 to 24 hours.
Use your own number here
Airbnb contacts you about stays through this number, and says most virtual numbers may not get its code at all. A one-time number from ReserveSMS receives codes for 20 minutes only, so for Airbnb, use a mobile number you keep.
Common questions
Do I need a phone number to book on Airbnb?
Yes. Airbnb says guests need a verified phone number before making a reservation, and hosts before listing.
Why isn’t Airbnb’s code reaching my number?
Airbnb says landlines, office lines that route to several people, and most virtual numbers such as VoIP may not receive it.
How do I change my Airbnb number without the old one?
Choose Need Help on the two-factor authentication screen. Airbnb says it gets back to you within 12 to 24 hours.