X (Twitter) asks for a phone number: what to know
In short
- X asks for a phone number when you sign up with one, to lift limits on an account, and for login verification and recovery.
- One phone number can be on up to 10 X accounts.
- If the code doesn’t come, unblock texts from 40404 and ask again.
A phone number on X does a few jobs: it can be how you sign up, it helps get the account back, and X sometimes asks for one before it lifts limits on an account.
Adding a number
Go to Settings and privacy, then Account, then Phone number, and confirm your password. X texts a code to the number; enter it and tap Verify. In some cases X offers a voice call instead of a text.
Locked or limited accounts
X may ask you to verify a phone number, along with steps such as confirming your email, before it starts the countdown on a limited account. X says accounts with repeated rule breaks may not be offered phone verification at all.
How many accounts can share a number
X’s help centre says one phone number can be linked to up to 10 X accounts.
If the code doesn’t arrive
X notes that some people have trouble getting codes by text. If you’ve ever blocked messages from 40404, unblock it and ask for a new code.
Using a one-time number
A number from ReserveSMS receives texts only, so choose the text code. It can’t receive codes after its 20-minute window, so for login verification use an authenticator app, not texts. Ours start at $1, and the money goes back to your balance if no code arrives. Get a number for X.
Common questions
How many X accounts can share one phone number?
Up to 10, according to X’s help centre.
Why is X asking me to add a phone number?
X may ask before it lifts limits on an account, alongside steps like confirming your email. It also uses the number for login verification and account recovery.
X’s code didn’t arrive. What now?
If you’ve ever blocked texts from 40404, unblock it and ask for a new code. In some cases X lets you choose a voice call instead; a number from us receives texts only.