You attempt to add your phone number to PayPal for 2-factor authentication or mobile payment confirmation. But instead of saving successfully, PayPal throws a frustrating error stating “This Type of Phone Number Isn’t Supported”.
Now you’re locked out of key account features and confused by PayPal’s phone number rejection.
Best Methods to Fix PayPal Error ‘This Type of Phone Number Isn’t Supported’
Don’t panic! Though irritating, this error on PayPal can be fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps. By adjusting account settings, verifying details, or requesting customer support, you’ll regain full PayPal access and functionality in no time.
Solution #1 – Add an Alternate Phone Number
Before investigating further, try associating an alternate phone number with your PayPal profile. This quick test determines if the error stems from your specific number or links to larger account limitations:
- Click your profile icon in the PayPal website header
- Choose Settings > Personal info
- Expand the Contact info section
- Click “Add another phone number”
- Enter a different mobile number or landline
- Click Save
Now attempt actions previously blocked because of an unsupported phone number. If successful, then something relates specifically to your original number. Time to dig deeper!
Solution #2 – Verify Personal Details
PayPal may reject phone numbers if information doesn’t match their records or your mobile carrier’s account details. Double check that elements like names, addresses, and birth dates match exactly between PayPal, your phone provider, and personal identification.
- Navigate to Settings > Personal info
- Open another tab and log into your phone carrier’s website
- Compare details like legal name, home address, email etc on both sites
- Modify details as needed to match identical across accounts
Matching crucial identification elements may enable PayPal to validate and accept your phone connectivity.
Solution #3 – Contact Phone Carrier Customer Support
If information aligns correctly but PayPal still denies your phone number, the carrier may show outdated data on their end. Contact customer support and ask them to confirm all identification elements on your account match what you provided to PayPal.
- Find your mobile provider’s customer service contact info
- Call support and explain PayPal rejected your number as “unsupported”
- Provide them all identification details from your PayPal profile
- Ask the carrier to correct any outdated or mismatched info their databases
With your mobile account details updated internally, PayPal may finally cooperate when adding your number.
Solution #4 – Remove 2-Factor Authentication
Recently swap to a new phone number? Having 2-factor authentication enabled blocks associating the fresh number to your account. Temporarily disabling 2FA lets you login and reactivate the security feature with proper credentials.
Here is how to disable then re-enable PayPal 2FA:
- Click user profile > Settings > Security
- Choose “Update” or “Remove” by existing 2-factor authentication
- Select removal, confirm turning off 2FA
- Once updated, add your new number for SMS-based 2FA
With 2FA reset using the latest phone, retry any functionality blocked by the nebulous “number not supported” error message.
Solution #5 – Contact PayPal Customer Support
If all else fails, contact PayPal support directly about the persisting phone validation issue. Make sure to have account and identification details handy for troubleshooting.
- In the PayPal mobile app, tap Settings > Contact Us
- Or visit https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/contact-us website
- Click “Message Us” or call listed phone numbers
- Explain error when attempting to add your phone number
- Provide all details if asked for account verification
Hopefully PayPal support can determine why your number gets rejected and rectify any lingering account limitations. Within a quick remote session, phone functionality may instantly start cooperating.
