Why does account recovery still require my old phone number?

What may be happening

Modern authentication is a chain rather than a single password. The service may separately rely on a trusted device, recovery number, authenticator application, recovery email, browser session or previously approved identity state. Updating personal details in one part of a system does not always update every recovery relationship.

What the evidence does—and does not—prove

A successful password change proves that one credential was updated. It does not prove that every recovery channel, trusted-device registration or support pathway now recognises the new state.

Examine the pathway

1. 1
   List every available recovery route

   Include signed-in devices, backup codes, recovery email, trusted numbers and authenticator applications.

2. 2
   Preserve existing access

   Do not sign out of the last working device until the new recovery pathway has been tested.

3. 3
   Separate profile data from security data

   Confirm whether the service maintains different contact and verification records.

4. 4
   Use official recovery channels

   Do not weaken security or give codes to anyone offering an unofficial workaround.