We often link our phone numbers to various services for registration or verification. But there may be times when you switch carriers or upgrade your device and lose track of your old number. Suddenly, you might need that old phone number to log into your online accounts.
If you find yourself in such a situation, don’t worry – here are some methods you can try:
1. Use People Search Engines
People search engines are great tools for finding people-related information. You can look up your name and retrieve information such as your phone numbers, email addresses, and address history.
There are both free and paid people search engines available and we’ve tested a dozen of them. For finding your old phone numbers, the following free tools should do the trick:
While these tools can provide basic information at zero cost. If you want a deeper dive into your online presence and public records, consider paid search engines:
These tools can offer a treasure trove of details, from social media links to employment history and criminal & traffic records. Just remember, while these engines can be incredibly helpful, they aren’t always foolproof. There is no guarantee that you’ll find the information you’re looking for or that the information is accurate. If you can’t locate your phone number this way, read on and try the next method.
2. Check Your Phone’s Settings
If you still have access to your old phone, you can look for your old phone number in the device’s settings.
Depending on your phone’s operating system, the process may vary slightly. If you’re using an Android device, go to Settings, scroll down, and select About phone. Your number is usually shown below Phone number or SIM status.
If you’re using an iPhone, open the Settings app, then scroll down to select Phone. Your phone number will be listed under My Number.
3. Check Your Online Accounts
Another way to find your old phone number is to check your online accounts. If you’ve ever linked your old number to social media or other services, you might find it in your account settings.
For example, if you linked your old phone number to your Google account, you can view it by tapping your profile picture and clicking Manage your Google Account. Next, click Personal info and check the Contact info section for your linked phone number.
And if you linked your old phone number to your Instagram, you can find it by visiting Settings and activity > Account Center > Personal details.
4. Check Your Online Order History
Do you shop online frequently? If so, you might be able to locate your old phone numbers in your shopping accounts.
Just log into your favorite shopping platform, and click on your previous orders to view your shipping address details to see if you happen to fill in your old phone numbers there.
5. Ask Your Contacts
If all else fails, reach out to your contacts. Your friends, family, or colleagues might still have your old number saved in their contacts list. They may be able to provide you with your old phone number or at least point you in the right direction.
6. Contact Your Old Carrier
Your old carrier might still have a record of your old phone number. So try contacting your old carrier to see if they can help – you may need to provide them with some information to verify your identity, but it’s worth a shot. Keep in mind that some carriers may not keep records of inactive phone numbers, so this method may not always be successful.
7. Check Your Credit Reports
If you’ve previously obtained your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, your old phone number might be listed in the Personal Information section. This section often includes contact details and addresses.
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