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The moment you cancel your old phone number, your Quark Drive, cloud collections, synced bookmarks, and years of accumulated membership benefits are essentially locked in a safe without a key.
I have recently received many messages from readers saying that the Chinese mobile phone number they are linked to on Quark has been deactivated for a long time, and they can't even remember what the number is. They can't pass the verification when they click on the button to change the linked number.
In this article, I will explain in detail the three ways to forcibly change the binding of a phone number without the original number, and the entire process is backed by real user tests.
Why does the system freeze when I try to change the linked phone number after forgetting my old one?
Let's start with the underlying logic.
Quark's account transfer mechanism is essentially an identity verification problem: the system will only hand over control after confirming that you are the true owner of the account.
There are only three verification methods: SMS to the original mobile phone number, linked email address, and manual appeal.
In July 2026, a user shared his real experience on Toutiao: After the Quark App was upgraded, it forced him to log in with a mobile phone verification code . However, the number he had bound to his account, which started with 195, had been deactivated as early as December 2025. He almost missed out on Quark Cloud Drive, which was full of data. In the end, he successfully rebound his account through the account recovery channel.
This illustrates one thing: losing the number doesn't mean the account is doomed; it just means it has to go through a more stringent process.
Method 1: Account recovery channel, the main route to forcibly change the linked account.
This is the path that is most easily overlooked, yet has the highest success rate.
Open the Quark App, then click My, Settings, Account and Security, Recover or Appeal Account, and Account Recovery.
Option 1: Retrieve via mobile phone number. Enter the old mobile phone number you still remember, even if you only vaguely remember it, give it a try first.
Here comes the crucial step: select "no longer use" and submit.
The system will display your account's avatar and nickname. After confirming, enter your new mobile phone number and click to get the verification code.
Next comes multiple auxiliary verifications: third-party account binding, member order records, and multiple-choice questions to aid in information retention.
That Toutiao user's experience is worth learning from—most of the information was selected accurately, and for the few that he couldn't remember, he selected based on his memory, and the system still passed the verification after comprehensive judgment.
After verification, simply click to bind your current mobile number. The new number will take effect immediately, and all your data in the cloud drive will be intact.
Remember this hard rule: one mobile number can only be linked to one Quark account.
Method 2: Link your email address for verification, as a backup channel
If you had linked your email address beforehand, this process will be much easier.
Go to the Account and Security page, select Change Phone Number, then select Unable to Receive SMS? Use Email Verification.
The system will send a verification code to your email address. After entering the code, you can directly set a new mobile phone number. The whole process takes no more than 3 minutes.
So remember to keep a frequently used email address in your account; it's your second key.
Method 3: Appeal to customer service – the last resort
Not linked to an email address? Can't remember your old phone number at all? You still have the option of a manual appeal.
Find Help & Feedback at the bottom of my page, enter online customer service, and send the keyword "change phone number" to trigger the appeal process.
Quark's official customer service channels clearly state: If the linked mobile phone is no longer usable or the account cannot be logged in, please go to the account appeal center to submit an account appeal.
All appeal materials must be prepared at once: a photo of your ID card, account registration information, frequently used login devices, most recent login location, and screenshots of member orders.
Manual review typically takes 1 to 3 business days to produce results, and the pass rate for complete materials is much higher than repeated self-service attempts.
After submitting, remain patient; frequent and repeated submissions in a short period of time are more likely to trigger risk control measures.
The next time you change your account number, start by choosing the right one.
To be honest, instead of having to go through the process every time, it would be better to reduce the need to change the binding in the first place.
This is very important: When registering mobile apps, computer software , or website accounts using your mobile phone number , never use publicly shared online SMS verification code receiving platforms to avoid having your account stolen.
The phone numbers on publicly accessible SMS verification platforms are visible to everyone, meaning your verification code is essentially exposed to strangers.
It is best to use a private virtual phone number , which can effectively protect your privacy and avoid harassment.
Imagine your Quark account as a precious treasure chest, filled with your life's moments and cherished memories. 📸🎁
And a virtual mobile phone number is like a key. Only you know its secret. Does anyone else want to open it? There are no doors! 🔑🚪
Furthermore, using a private, virtual Chinese mobile phone number to receive Quark SMS verification codes is like putting an invisible cloak on your account, protecting your privacy, enhancing the security of your Quark account, and effectively controlling spam interference, allowing you to roam freely and unrestrained in the world of Quark. 🧙️✈
Click the link below now to get your private Chinese virtual mobile phone number through a trusted channel▼
Renewal reminders are more important than rebooking strategies.
Additional Quark account protection advice: Because once a Quark account is linked to a Chinese virtual mobile number, you must use the linked Chinese virtual mobile number to log in to your Quark account when you change to a new mobile phone; otherwise, you will not be able to retrieve or log in to your Quark account.
Therefore, we recommend that you renew your private Chinese virtual mobile number regularly to improve the security of your Quark account.
If your phone number isn't renewed, it will be cancelled. You can only blame yourself for not renewing it on time.
You can use calendar software to set up automatic recurring reminders 3 days before the expiration date to prevent your number from being cancelled; it's very effective.
Once a phone number is cancelled, you can only register a new account; there's no way to recover it.
Instead of fantasizing about a reversal, it's better to accept reality and move forward.
Click the link below now to get your private Chinese virtual mobile phone number through a trusted channel▼
Write at the end
My point is very direct: account security is never a matter of luck, but a matter of process.
Forgetting your old number isn't scary; what's scary is having neither a backup verification method nor the habit of managing your numbers.
Three steps: Check your email account now, set up renewal reminders for your virtual number, and bookmark this article for the appeal process.
True security doesn't come from never changing your phone number, but from having complete control over any changes you make.
Action always precedes regret, and control always outweighs luck.
Hopefully, the article "Forgot your old number when changing your Quark mobile phone number? A guide to forcibly changing your number without the original Chinese mobile phone number," shared on Chen Weiliang's blog ( https://www.chenweiliang.com/ ), will be helpful to you.
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