Steam asks for a phone number: what it’s for
In short
- Steam says a phone number gives your account extra security and helps you recover it or reset your password.
- If you use the Steam Mobile Authenticator, write down its recovery code: you’ll need it if you lose the phone.
- Out-of-date number? Steam Support removes it once it has checked again that the account is yours.
Steam asks for a phone number to secure your account and before some account features. You add it in your account details, on the Steam website or in the app.
What the number does
Steam says a phone number gives the account extra security, and helps you recover it or reset your password later.
The Mobile Authenticator
If you set up the Steam Mobile Authenticator, it shows a recovery code. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe: you need it if you lose that phone. See backup and recovery codes.
If the number is out of date
Use “My mobile number is out of date” in Steam Support. Steam needs to check again that the account is yours before removing the old number, so have the number, your account name and the first email you used on Steam ready.
Using a one-time number
A number from ReserveSMS receives codes for 20 minutes only, so for a Steam account you’ll keep, change the number to one you keep and add an email you check. Ours start at $1. Get a number for Steam.
Common questions
What is the phone number on a Steam account for?
Steam says it gives the account extra security and helps you recover it or reset your password.
What if I lose the phone with the Steam Mobile Authenticator?
Use the recovery code it showed when you set it up. Without it, contact Steam Support.
How do I remove an old number from Steam?
Use “My mobile number is out of date” in Steam Support, with the number, your account name and the first email you used.