To unlink my phone number from another phone, start on the iPhone that owns the number and go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive, tap the Apple Account at the bottom, then tap Sign Out. Next, go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime, tap the Apple Account, and tap Sign Out; this removes the phone number from your iPad and Mac so calls and messages for that number stop appearing there.
How to unlink my phone number from another phone: Direct answer for the most common scenario
The most common scenario is unlinking a phone number from Messages and FaceTime on a secondary Apple device like an iPad or Mac. This happens when you have shared an Apple Account across devices. To stop your number from receiving calls or messages on that other device, use the iPhone that owns the number.
- Open Settings on the iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then Messages.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap the Apple Account.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Go back to Settings > Apps > FaceTime.
- Tap the Apple Account at the bottom.
- Tap Sign Out.
After signing out of both Messages and FaceTime, the phone number is removed from your iPad and Mac. Calls and messages for that number will no longer appear on those devices.
When you no longer have the iPhone with that number
If you no longer have access to the iPhone that owns the phone number, Apple documents a workaround: change your Apple Account password. Changing the password removes all phone numbers from the linked iPad and Mac. The removed numbers will no longer appear for calls or messages on those devices. This is the only documented account-level method when the original iPhone is unavailable. You can also use remote device management tools like Find My iPhone or Find My Device to unlink a phone number from a device you no longer have access to.
How to remove your phone number from a Google account on Android
If your phone number is linked to a Google account and you want to stop it from being used on another Android device, the documented path is through your Google account settings.
- Open Settings on your Android device.
- Tap Google.
- Tap Manage your Google Account.
- Tap Personal info.
- Under Contact info, tap Phone.
- Next to the number you want to remove, tap Delete or Remove number.
This deletes the phone number from your Google account. Google’s help page confirms this is the way to remove the number from the account.
What these steps actually do
These methods stop calls and messages for that phone number from appearing on the other device. For Apple, the removed number stops appearing on iPad and Mac for calls and messages. Note that Apple also documents removing an associated device from account services in Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Manage Devices > Remove, but that is for Apple media and account associations, not for unlinking a phone number from Messages or FaceTime. Disabling phone number sync in device or app settings can prevent the number from being linked to other devices in the first place.
Removing phone numbers from accounts is a key part of managing which devices can use your number for calls and messages. The documented limits are clear: for Apple, the number stops appearing on iPad and Mac; for Google, the number is deleted from the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking my phone number affect my account or data?
Unlinking your phone number from Messages and FaceTime on another device does not delete your Apple Account or Google Account data. It only stops that number from being used for calls and messages on that specific device. Your contacts, messages history, and other account data remain intact.
What if I still receive calls or messages on the other device after following these steps?
If calls or messages continue to appear on the other device, double-check that you signed out of both Messages and FaceTime on the iPhone that owns the number. If the iPhone is unavailable, changing the Apple Account password is the documented workaround. For Google accounts, ensure you deleted the number from the account settings.
Can I unlink my phone number without the other device?
For Apple, if you no longer have the iPhone that owns the number, changing the Apple Account password is the documented method to remove the number from all linked iPads and Macs. For Google accounts, you can delete the number from your account settings on any device where you are signed in.
Can I unlink my phone number remotely?
No, physical access to the device is typically needed.
What if I can't unlink my phone number from another phone?
Double-check your settings, restart both devices, and if the issue persists, contact your mobile service provider directly to unlink the phone number from any associated device.
Does unlinking my phone number deactivate it?
No. Unlinking your phone number from another device does not deactivate the number. The number remains active on your own device and with your carrier. It only stops the number from being used for calls and messages on the other device.
What should I do if the steps do not work?
If the documented steps do not remove the number from the other device, verify that you are using the correct Apple Account or Google Account. For Apple, ensure you are signed in with the same account on both devices.
For the wider topic, see removing phone numbers from accounts.
