Android can link your phone number to Google accounts on its own: how to switch it off

Android phones have a system service called "Phone number verification". As Polish tech site Antyweb reported on 25 October 2026, citing findings by Android Authority, it can automatically tie your number to the Google accounts signed in on the device.

What the problem is

The service is meant to check periodically with your mobile operator that the number assigned to your SIM card still belongs to you. It is intended to make two-step login and apps that rely on mobile connectivity work more smoothly.

According to Antyweb, the problem lies in the permissions the feature has. It can attach the number to every account on the phone: personal, corporate or work. Some users received emails about "successful phone number verification" for addresses they never wanted linked to their SIM card.

The biggest concern is when someone uses a personal phone for work. If a personal number gets linked to a work account, it may end up in company databases. Antyweb says colleagues and the IT department could then see it.

The site says the service is enabled by default on almost every modern Android smartphone, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel and Motorola.

How to turn off automatic verification

According to Antyweb's instructions:

• open your phone's Settings,
• choose the Google or Google services tab,
• go to the "All services" card,
• under "Privacy and security", select "Phone number verification",
• switch off "Automatic phone number verification".

On some manufacturers' interfaces the option may be buried deeper. In that case, use the search box in settings and type "Phone number verification".

How to unlink a number from accounts it has already reached

Switching the feature off only protects you going forward. If your number has already been assigned, you need to remove it manually:

• go to myaccount.google.com and sign in to the account you want to remove the number from,
• open the "Personal info" tab,
• under "Contact info", click the "Phone" field,
• select the number, click the bin icon and confirm the removal.

Antyweb advises going through every account set up on the phone in this way.

What this means for you

Many people in the UK have both personal and work accounts on one phone, and sometimes both British and foreign numbers. It is worth checking which Google accounts your number is attached to, especially if your phone is also used for work. The instructions concern Android settings and do not depend on the country or operator.