Why is my old cell Phone number still linked to iMessage after 5 years

Recently , my old cellphone number. After 5 years of not using it and changing my number, and on websites etc. This # Was given to someone else, as of a year ago. I found out by speaking to this person after I saw the number, leave my group chat on the weekend. Was in (iMessage) . None of my accounts have this number anymore. He’s been also getting 2 factors and codes for some reason.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 12, iOS 18

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 8:10 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 10:17 PM

Hi 👋 keri-lynnfromrussell’s Profile - Apple Community


Follow the below guide and remove the number from your profile.


Remove your phone number

If you don’t want calls or messages for your iPhone on your iPad or Mac, you can remove your phone number. There are two ways to do this:

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive. Select your Apple Account at the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out. Then go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime, select your Apple Account and tap Sign Out.
  • If the phone number you want to remove belongs to an iPhone that you can’t access, change your Apple Account password. This removes all phone numbers from your iPad and Mac. Calls or messages for the removed numbers won't appear on those devices any more.


Once it’s done update your current number.


Set up your phone number

On your iPhone:

  1. go to Settings > Apps > Messages and make sure iMessage is on. You may need to wait a moment for it to be activated.
  2. Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple Account for iMessage”, tap it and sign in with the same Apple Account that you use on your Mac or iPad.
  3. In the “You can receive iMessages to and Reply From” section, make sure your phone number and Apple Account are selected.
  4. Go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime and make sure your phone number and Apple Account are selected in the “You can be reached by FaceTime at” section.

On your other devices, you can now turn on the phone number you've just set up:


Use this link for detailed process.


Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime - Apple Support (IN)


If the above details doesn’t help you then contact apple support here.


https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions


Thank you 😊 for reaching out to  Support. 


Hope this will help you solve your query. 


Regards, 


AK.




1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 22, 2025 10:17 PM in response to keri-lynnfromrussell

Hi 👋 keri-lynnfromrussell’s Profile - Apple Community


Follow the below guide and remove the number from your profile.


Remove your phone number

If you don’t want calls or messages for your iPhone on your iPad or Mac, you can remove your phone number. There are two ways to do this:

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive. Select your Apple Account at the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out. Then go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime, select your Apple Account and tap Sign Out.
  • If the phone number you want to remove belongs to an iPhone that you can’t access, change your Apple Account password. This removes all phone numbers from your iPad and Mac. Calls or messages for the removed numbers won't appear on those devices any more.


Once it’s done update your current number.


Set up your phone number

On your iPhone:

  1. go to Settings > Apps > Messages and make sure iMessage is on. You may need to wait a moment for it to be activated.
  2. Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple Account for iMessage”, tap it and sign in with the same Apple Account that you use on your Mac or iPad.
  3. In the “You can receive iMessages to and Reply From” section, make sure your phone number and Apple Account are selected.
  4. Go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime and make sure your phone number and Apple Account are selected in the “You can be reached by FaceTime at” section.

On your other devices, you can now turn on the phone number you've just set up:


Use this link for detailed process.


Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime - Apple Support (IN)


If the above details doesn’t help you then contact apple support here.


https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions


Thank you 😊 for reaching out to  Support. 


Hope this will help you solve your query. 


Regards, 


AK.




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Why is my old cell Phone number still linked to iMessage after 5 years

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