Google quietly links SIM phone number to every Android account by default

Since September 2025, Android has automatically attached the SIM's phone number to every Google account signed in on the device, including work and secondary accounts. Google says verification enables account recovery and RCS messaging, but doesn't explain why every account needs the number; the setting can only be turned off on the phone itself.

• Number verification has been on by default since September 2025
• The number is added to all accounts on the device, including work ones
• Turning it off disables RCS in Google Messages and quick recovery
• Disabling doesn't remove existing links; numbers must be deleted manually