October 17, 2026, 10:11 am | Read time: 2 minutes
A private cell phone number can appear in Google accounts where it was never intentionally added. This is due to an Android feature that can be disabled in a few steps.
A Google account for personal emails, another for work: Those who separate these areas may want to link their phone number to only one account. On an Android smartphone, however, Google can still associate the number with additional accounts on the same device. This is due to the default-enabled feature “Phone Number Confirmation.”
Also of interest: Gemini now takes calls for users
Google checks the SIM card number with the help of the mobile provider. On “Reddit,” a user reported receiving an email from “noreply-phone-verification@google.com” alerting them to the linkage. The number apparently did not need to be manually entered into the additional Google account.
How to Disable Automatic Confirmation
The feature can be disabled directly in the Android settings. To do this, open the “Google” section under “All Services.” Then navigate through “Privacy & Security” to “Phone Number Confirmation.” There, the option “Automatically confirm phone numbers” can be turned off. Depending on the smartphone, some menu items may have slightly different names.
Disabling this feature only prevents further automatic linkages. Phone numbers already stored in the Google account remain and must be removed separately. Those using multiple Google accounts on an Android smartphone and who do not want their phone number linked everywhere should also check the stored contact information.
How to Remove an Already Stored Number
A stored phone number can be removed via the personal information in the Google account. After logging in, open “Contact info” under “Phone,” select the relevant number, and tap “Delete.” Then, confirm the process with “Remove number.” If multiple accounts are affected, this step is necessary for each one.
After disabling, it’s also recommended to check the Android settings again. Several participants in the Reddit discussion reported that the option was active again later. However, these are just user reports so far. It cannot be concluded that Android generally or automatically reactivates the feature on all smartphones.