How to Recover a Paypal Account Without Phone Number

PayPal is one of the most commonly used payment methods globally, which means many have often experienced being locked out of their accounts. This is especially true if you’ve lost access to your registered phone number, which makes it stressful for most to recover a PayPal account. 

The PayPal service is deeply tied to your finances, which is why regaining access to it is urgent.

However, don’t worry, you can still recover your PayPal account through your email and other verification methods. This guide shows you exactly what you need to do to recover your account when you no longer have your phone.

TIP – PayPal is linked to your financial accounts, and to ensure that your funds and information are protected, you need a strong password. For the best security, consider using a password manager to create a secure and unique PayPal account password. You can also store it safely in the manager’s password vault, just in case it’s not easy for you to remember. 

Before we begin, let’s go through some basics to make this guide clearer. 

Why PayPal Needs Your Phone Number

PayPal needs your registered phone number mainly for two-factor authentication (2FA) and to send security codes. This makes it a primary tool for verifying your identity. When you lose access to your registered number, you need to prove you’re the account owner through alternative information. With that said, let’s move on to the tutorial on how to recover a PayPal account without phone number. 

How to Recover a PayPal Account Without Phone Number (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow the steps with patience and ensure that you provide accurate information wherever needed. Here is how to get started: 

Step 1: Password Recovery

• Head to the PayPal login page.
• Click on “Having trouble logging in?” or “Forgot your password?“
• Enter the email address that is registered to your locked PayPal account.
• Click on “Next.”

Now, PayPal will try to send a one-time code via SMS to your registered number. When this happens: 

• Click the link that goes something like “I don’t have access to this phone” or “Try another way.”
• You will then be redirected to other verification options.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity via Email

Since your phone number is no longer an option for now, the most common alternative is to verify through your email. Here’s how to go about it: 

• PayPal will send a one-time code or a link to the recovery email address you provided. 
• If you don’t see the code, try looking for it in the spam or junk folder. 
• Copy the code, click on the link provided, and enter the code in the designated field. 
• This step, at times, automatically verifies you and allows you to reset your password.

Step 3: Answer the Following Security Questions

If your account is still not verified via the code through your email, then PayPal may prompt you to answer the security questions you initially set up when you created your account. Ensure that you: 

• Carefully read and answer each question. If you can’t seem to remember the exact answer, try entering the closest possible guess. Some of the questions include answering your maiden name, a childhood pet’s name, etc.
• Providing accurate answers gives you a higher chance of proving your identity, especially without your phone number. 

Step 4: Financial and Personal Details

Now, just in case the steps above don’t do much to recover a PayPal account, you will need to go through a more detailed manual verification process. Here’s a list of personal and financial questions you need to provide details for: 

• Full legal name on your PayPal account.
• A complete and correct home address that you registered while creating your account. 
• Bank account number(s) or the last 4 digits of your debit or credit cards linked to your PayPal.
• Proof of recent transaction details. These include the exact amount and recipient of your last PayPal purchase or transfer.
• Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID (for U.S. accounts). PayPal may request this for ultimate verification.

Step 5: Contact PayPal Customer Support Directly

If you’ve tried all and the automated system fails, you will need to contact PayPal customer support. Ensure that you’re talking to a human representative instead of a bot. Here’s what you need to do: 

• Head to the PayPal “Help & Contact” center.
• You should find an option labeled as “Account Login” or “Account Limitations.”
• Now, select the option “Call Us” or “Message Us.” A direct phone call is usually the fastest for complex recovery processes.
• Now, ensure that you clearly explain your situation: “I am trying to recover my account, but I no longer have access to my registered phone number.”

The agent will then guide you through an identity verification process. Ensure that you have all the information from Step 4 ready to provide verbally. Or, they could provide a secure upload link for you to fill out the questions.

How to Maintain PayPal Account Security

Now that you’ve recovered your PayPal account, you need to ensure that you don’t get locked out again. Here are a few steps to take to prevent future PayPal account lockouts: 

• Update your contact information with an active phone number and an email address for secondary recovery. You can change it from your PayPal settings. 
• Use an authenticator app to replace any SMS-based 2FA. These apps generate codes on your device without needing a phone number or cell signal. Go to “Settings” > “Security.”
• Keep a secure record of all your security question answers and linked bank accounts in a secure password manager.
• Regularly review account activity, like your PayPal transaction history, to ensure there are no unauthorized actions.

What to Avoid When Trying to Recover a PayPal Account

Just as there are tips to prevent future PayPal account lockouts, there are also tips on what shouldn’t be done when trying to recover your account. These include:  

• Do not continuously try to guess passwords. This can trigger a temporary security lock.
• Do not provide information to anyone claiming to be “PayPal Support” via unsolicited calls, emails, or texts. Always contact the official PayPal website or app.
• Ensure you do not create a new PayPal account with the same financial details. This too can cause further complications and delays.

FAQs – Recover a PayPal Account Without Phone Number

To Conclude 

You now know how to recover a PayPal account without phone number. Losing access to your phone isn’t the end of the world. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost your PayPal account forever. If you systematically use your email, security questions, and financial details, and contact support directly, you can successfully prove your identity. This gives you full control of your account again. Other than that, you should always prioritize setting up stronger, phone-independent authentication methods, such as an authenticator app, to improve future access to your account.