Adding a US phone number to LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s phone rules at a glance

From LinkedIn Help and the LinkedIn User Agreement, read on 13 November 2026. LinkedIn’s help gives no limit on accounts per number.

What LinkedIn says about the number you add

LinkedIn states its rule in two short sentences: “Cell and landline phones are supported. VoIP numbers aren’t.” It names no particular service: the rule covers VoIP numbers as a type.

Its User Agreement allows one LinkedIn account per person, in your real name, and asks you to give accurate contact information and keep it up to date.

If you verify your identity through CLEAR, use your own phone. That check confirms who you are with a government ID, LinkedIn says business numbers aren’t accepted for it, and the number you give there is enrolled in two-step verification automatically.

A number from us is a non-VoIP US number. LinkedIn still decides whether to send the code; if it doesn’t arrive, cancel within 24 hours.

Receiving LinkedIn’s code on a number from us

1. Get a number for a year

   LinkedIn can use this number again later, as the next section explains.

2. Add it in Sign in & security

   Go to Me, Settings & Privacy, Sign in & security, Phone numbers, Add phone number. Select United States in the country list and enter the number. LinkedIn first sends a code to your email, then texts the number when you click Send code. Use Resend code if you need another; don’t choose Call me with the code.

3. Enter the code

   The text appears on the number’s page with the code picked out. Copy it into LinkedIn.

How long to keep the number

A year ($34.99), if you add it at all. LinkedIn documents no short-term use for a number: the first mobile you add is switched on automatically for password resets, LinkedIn may ask you to verify with your phone if it suspects someone else is signing in, and a number set up for two-step verification gets a code when you sign in from a device LinkedIn doesn’t recognize. When a rental ends, the number can go to someone else, who would then get those texts.

If two-step verification is what you want, LinkedIn recommends an authenticator app over text codes, which keeps a number out of it. Two-step is optional on LinkedIn.com and required for Recruiter, Campaign Manager and Sales Navigator.

To change the number later, add the new one under Phone numbers and click Remove beside the old one. A number used for two-step verification can’t be removed until you turn two-step off. Don’t let a number lapse while it is the only way into the account: LinkedIn says that if a phone is your only contact and you lose it, you can’t reset your password and have to verify your identity instead.

If LinkedIn’s code doesn’t arrive

• Use Resend code, sparingly. After too many requests LinkedIn stops sending codes, and you can ask again 24 hours after your last attempt.
• Turn off connected apps. LinkedIn’s Recruiter help suggests disabling third-party apps under Settings & Privacy, Partners & services, in case one interferes with its messages.
• Skip the call. Call me with the code reads the code out by phone, which a receive-only number can’t answer.

If no text reached the number from us, cancel it from its page within 24 hours of buying. More causes are in verification code not received.

Questions people ask

Do I need a phone number to create a LinkedIn account?

No. LinkedIn’s sign-up asks for your name and email address and a password, or you can sign up with Google or Apple. A phone number is something you can add later.

What does “Exceeded number of verification requests” mean on LinkedIn?

You have hit LinkedIn’s maximum number of code requests. You can’t receive another code until 24 hours after your last attempt.

How do I get back into LinkedIn if my old phone number no longer exists?

If the phone number was the only contact on your account, LinkedIn says you can’t reset your password and must verify your identity instead. If it was your two-step number and you have no signed-in device, LinkedIn asks for a picture of a government-issued ID.

Can I remove my phone number from LinkedIn?

Yes, with Remove under Settings & Privacy, Sign in & security, Phone numbers. If the number is used for two-step verification, turn two-step off first.

Is two-step verification required on LinkedIn?

Not on LinkedIn.com, where it’s optional. It is required for Recruiter, Campaign Manager and Sales Navigator, and LinkedIn recommends an authenticator app as the method.