Since September 2025, Android phones automatically check their phone number during setup. They add this number to every Google account on the phone. This includes work accounts and extra personal accounts. Some people are only now learning about this through emails from Google.
The rule also covers later changes. Add another Google account, and the phone adds its numbers to that account too. Change the SIM card, and it adds the new number to every account. Google and your phone company check the numbers again from time to time, and your phone company may charge for these checks.
Google says checking numbers helps people get back into their accounts and use RCS, a type of phone messaging. Kaspersky says turning off these checks stops RCS chats in Google Messages. Messages then use SMS instead. Kaspersky also says people cannot use that number to get back into their accounts quickly.
You can stop automatic checks in your phone’s Settings. Open Google, then All services, then Phone number verification under Privacy & security. Turn off Verify phone numbers automatically. To remove numbers already connected, open each account’s Google settings and go to Personal info, then Phone.
