Millions of LINE users in Taiwan are being urged to check one important account setting before the end of the year — or risk permanently losing access to their accounts.
LINE Taiwan has warned that accounts linked only to Facebook and without a registered phone number must have a phone number added by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026.
Accounts that still meet those conditions after the deadline are scheduled to be deleted. That could mean losing access not only to the LINE account itself, but also to associated stickers, coins, purchased items and chat history.
The warning has prompted Taiwanese media to urge users to check their LINE account settings before the deadline.
Who is actually at risk?
This is the most important part of LINE’s announcement.
Not every LINE user is affected.
The warning specifically concerns accounts that:
- are linked only to a Facebook account;
- do not have a phone number registered; and
- remain in that configuration after the December 31 deadline.
LINE Taiwan says users in this situation should add and verify a phone number directly through the LINE app.
Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS also reported that LINE has confirmed the requirement and noted that users may receive different account-check notifications depending on their existing account settings.
How to check your LINE account
LINE Taiwan says users can check whether their account has a phone number registered by opening:
LINE Home → Settings → My Account → Phone Number
If the phone-number field is blank, users who have an account linked only to Facebook should complete the phone-number registration and verification process before the deadline.
LINE specifically says the process should be completed inside the LINE app. Users should not follow suspicious links or enter their information into unofficial websites claiming to perform the verification.
What could users lose?
The consequences of account deletion could be significant.
LINE’s official Help Center says deleting a LINE account removes data including friends, groups, chat history and purchase history. Deleted accounts cannot subsequently be restored or transferred.
LINE Taiwan’s specific warning additionally identifies stickers, coins and purchased content among the data that could become inaccessible if the affected account is deleted.
That means users who rely on LINE for years of personal conversations, work communication, family groups or purchased digital content should not treat the warning as a routine notification.
There is another important account-security issue
LINE also warns that account credentials cannot simply be reused across multiple accounts.
A phone number, email address, Apple account or Google account cannot be registered to more than one LINE account simultaneously.
If the same information is registered to another account, it can be removed from the account where it was previously registered. LINE warns that if all available login information is removed from an account, the account can become inaccessible and its data may not be recoverable.
This is particularly important for users who have created multiple LINE accounts or recently changed devices.
Why is LINE making the change?
LINE Taiwan says requiring a phone number is intended to strengthen account security, reduce the use of dummy accounts and help combat fraud.
The company is also encouraging users to make sure their accounts have multiple recovery options.
LINE Taiwan recommends setting up:
Phone number + email address + password
It also recommends connecting at least one Apple or Google account, with users able to connect both.
The broader move comes as LINE and authorities across Asia continue dealing with account takeovers, impersonation and online scams.
Taiwanese authorities have repeatedly warned about fake LINE websites and other scams targeting users, making account-security measures increasingly important.
The deadline is December 31
For affected users, the deadline is precise:
December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Taiwan time.
After that point, LINE says accounts that remain linked only to Facebook without a registered phone number will be deleted.
Users should therefore check their account now rather than waiting until the final day.
And because LINE says the phone-number registration can be completed directly inside the official app, users should be particularly cautious about messages or websites asking them to provide LINE passwords, verification codes or other sensitive information.
One quick check could save years of conversations
For most LINE users, there is no need to panic.
The warning does not mean every LINE account in Taiwan will be deleted.
But if your account is still relying solely on Facebook and has no phone number attached, the clock is already running.
Check your LINE settings before December 31 — because once an affected account is deleted, LINE says its data cannot simply be restored.
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