I still remember the panic I felt when I switched phone carriers and lost access to my old number before updating my Mercari account. I had $400 in my balance from a recent camera sale. When I tried to log in to transfer the funds, Mercari demanded a 6-digit SMS code sent to... my dead number.
I was locked out of my own money.
I spent three days fighting with their automated bots before a human finally reviewed my ID and reset my account. It was a digital nightmare that taught me a valuable lesson: Mercari treats your phone number like your DNA. It is the primary way they verify you aren't a scammer.
If you are frantically searching how to remove a phone number from mercari because you changed phones, want privacy, or are getting error messages, you need to know the reality. Unlike social media apps where you can just hit "delete," marketplace apps require a valid number on file at all times. You usually can't "remove" it; you can only "replace" it.
The "Removal" Myth: Why Mercari Won't Let You Delete It
Here's where it gets interesting... Mercari’s entire security model is built on SMS verification.
The Security Barrier
Mercari does not allow VoIP numbers (like Google Voice) or landlines. They require a carrier-based mobile number to prevent:
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Bot Accounts: Scammers create thousands of accounts; getting thousands of real SIM cards is expensive.
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Ban Evasion: If they ban your account, they ban your phone number. If you could just "remove" it, you could sign up again instantly.
Opinion Statement: While I understand the security need, Mercari’s refusal to let you log in via email backup codes is a massive flaw. It punishes honest users who simply forget to update their settings before switching carriers.
How to Remove a Phone Number from Mercari (The "Replacement" Method)
If you still have access to your old phone number, this process takes 30 seconds.
The Steps (App & Web)
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Go to Profile: Tap your profile picture or icon.
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Settings: Select Settings > Account Settings.
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Personal Info: Tap Personal Information.
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Edit: Tap your Phone Number.
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Update: Enter your new number.
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Verify: Mercari will text a code to your NEW number to verify it.
The Catch: Sometimes, for "extra security," they will also text a code to your OLD number first. If you don't have that phone anymore, you hit a brick wall.
The "Lost Phone" Scenario: What to Do If You Can't Verify
This is the most common reason people search how to remove a phone number from mercari. You are stuck in the "Verify Identity" loop.
The Only Fix: Contact Support
There is no button to bypass this. You must prove you are the account owner.
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Open the Help Center: Go to "Contact Us."
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Select Issue: Choose "Login & Account" > "My phone number changed."
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The Evidence: You will likely need to upload a photo of your Driver's License/ID.
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The Wait: It usually takes 24-48 hours for a human to review it.
My Honest Failure: I tried to "trick" support by creating a new account with my new number, thinking I would just merge them later. Do not do this. Mercari’s system flagged me for having "Duplicate Accounts" and suspended both of them. Never create a second account to solve a login issue.
How to Cancel an Order on Mercari as a Seller (And Why You Should Hesitate)
While we are discussing account management, let's talk about the other most stressful seller task: cancellations.
If you sold an item but realized it’s damaged or lost, you need to know how to cancel an order on mercari as a seller.
The Steps
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Go to the Order Status page.
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Scroll to the bottom.
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Tap "Cancel Order."
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Select a reason (e.g., "Item damaged/defective" or "I ran out of stock").
The Hidden Penalty
Now the tricky part... Mercari tracks your cancellation rate.
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The "Reliable" Badge: If you cancel frequently, you lose your "Reliable" badge.
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Search Ranking: Sellers with high cancellation rates get pushed down in search results.
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The Warning: If you cancel too many, Mercari puts a visible warning on your profile: "This seller has a high cancellation rate." This is practically a "Do Not Buy" sign for customers.
I use Closo to automate checking my inventory across Poshmark and eBay – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because the number one reason I used to cancel orders was selling the same item twice on different apps. Automation stopped that completely.
How to Search for Users on Mercari (The Missing Feature)
Mercari has made it weirdly difficult to find people. Years ago, there was a "Search Users" bar. In 2025, it’s gone.
If you want to know how to search for users on mercari, you have to use a workaround.
Method 1: The "Exact Username" Search
You cannot search for "John Smith." You need their exact handle.
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Type this into your browser address bar:
https://www.mercari.com/u/[Username]/ -
Example:
https://www.mercari.com/u/ClosoSeller123/
Method 2: The "Listing" Backdoor
If you know they are selling a specific item (e.g., "Vintage Nike Windbreaker in Red"), search for the item.
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Find the item in search.
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Click the item.
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Scroll down to the seller's profile picture.
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Click their name to see their full shop.
(Parenthetical aside: It is baffling that a social marketplace makes it this hard to find friends. I keep a list of my favorite sellers' URLs in my notes app because searching for them is impossible.)
How to Remove a Phone Number from Poshmark (A Comparison)
If you are cross-listing, you might wonder how to remove a phone number from poshmark and if it is any easier.
Poshmark vs. Mercari
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Mercari: Requires a replacement number. Strict SMS verification.
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Poshmark: Also requires a phone number for 2FA, but it is slightly more flexible with email verification.
To change on Poshmark:
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Go to Account Tab > My Profile.
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Tap Account Info.
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Tap Phone Number.
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Poshmark will often let you verify the change via an Email Code first, which saves you if you lost your old phone.This makes Poshmark significantly more user-friendly for people changing carriers.
People always ask me...
"Can I use a Google Voice number on Mercari?"
Common question I see. No. Mercari’s system detects VoIP (Voice over IP) numbers instantly. It will give you an error message like "Please enter a valid mobile number." You need a SIM card from a major carrier (Verizon, T-Mobile, Mint,etc.).
"How do I unlink my Facebook from Mercari?"
People always ask me... You can do this in Settings > Settings > Social Media. However, unlinking Facebook does notremove your phone number requirement. The phone number is the "master key" to your account; Facebook is just a login shortcut.
"Why am I not receiving the SMS code?"
If you requested a code and it never came:
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Check blocked numbers: You might have accidentally blocked the "shortcode" number Mercari uses.
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Carrier filtering: Some prepaid plans block "Premium SMS" or shortcodes by default. Call your carrier and ask to "enable shortcode messaging."
Conclusion
So, how to remove a phone number from mercari? The short answer is: you don't. You swap it.
Mercari is not designed for anonymity. It is designed for verified transactions. If you are stuck in a verification loop, stop fighting the bot and submit the support ticket with your ID. It is annoying, but it is the only way to recover your account without getting banned for "suspicious activity."
And please, learn from my mistake: Update your phone number in the app before you trade in your old phone.
If you are struggling to manage your account settings across multiple apps, check out our guide on how to organize seller data. And if you are tired of the strict rules on Mercari, read our comparison of Mercari vs. eBay for casual sellers to see if the grass is greener elsewhere.
FAQ
Here's something everyone wants to know: Can I delete my phone number from Mercari without adding a new one?
No. Mercari requires a valid mobile phone number on file for all active accounts to ensure security and prevent fraud. You cannot leave the phone number field blank. If you wish to remove your number for privacy, you must close your account entirely.
Common question I see: What do I do if I changed my number and can't log in?
If you cannot receive the 2FA code to your old number, do not create a new account. Instead, visit the Mercari Help Center, select "Contact Us," and choose "Login & Account" issues. You will need to provide proof of identity (like a government ID) to have customer support manually update the number for you.
People always ask me: How do I cancel an order on Mercari?
As a seller, go to your Order Status page, scroll to the bottom, and select "Cancel Order." Be aware that frequent cancellations will display a warning on your profile and may remove your "Reliable" seller badge. As a buyer, you can request a cancellation, but the seller must approve it unless they have failed to ship within 3 business days.
