Google Is Automatically Linking Your Phone Number to All Accounts
Automatic Verification and User Surprise
Android users are facing an unexpected change. It has emerged that since September 2025, Google has quietly implemented a feature that automatically links the phone number on a smartphone to every Google account logged into that device. This process is automatic and affects personal, work, and secondary profiles alike.
Although Google's official documentation states that this step is necessary for account recovery and the proper functioning of RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging, the company has not explained why it is necessary to link the number to every single account on the device. Many users only learned about this after receiving automated notifications from Google regarding phone number verification via email.
Which Features Are Affected by This Change?
According to Google, phone number verification supports several key services. These include finding a lost device, emergency services, Quick Share, and "Sign in with Mobile Number"—a tool that allows users to recover account access using their phone number instead of an old password.
Furthermore, number verification is linked to the "Better ads & Google services" setting, which allows the company to offer users more relevant advertisements. It is worth noting that the service periodically verifies the number, which in some cases may lead to additional charges from mobile operators.
How to Disable Automatic Linking
If you do not want your phone number automatically linked to all your accounts, you can change this. To do so, go to: Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Phone number verification and turn off the "Verify phone numbers automatically" feature.
It is important to note that this action will not remove numbers that have already been linked. To remove previously linked numbers, you must go into each account manually and visit the "Personal info > Phone" section.
What Does This Mean for the User?
Security experts warn users that disabling verification may negatively affect RCS messaging, which would revert communication to the older SMS format. This is particularly relevant now that encrypted RCS messaging between Android and iPhone is possible. Additionally, account recovery will become more difficult without verification.
Google states that it does not sell personal data or phone numbers to third parties, though the company's policy is increasingly pushing users to link their numbers to their accounts. For example, in some regions, Google is already testing a restriction where users without a linked phone number receive only 5GB of free cloud storage instead of 15GB. For users in Georgia, this means that in the near future, it will be necessary to pay closer attention to account privacy settings to avoid unwanted data consolidation.