Where Facebook Stores Your Address and Why It Matters

Facebook keeps your address in two places: your profile information (which you control and others may see) and your account settings (which Facebook uses for security and ads). Changing your address on Facebook takes about two minutes and requires you to log in from a device where you're already signed in, or to enter your password.

Your address appears on your profile under the "About" section if you chose to add it. Facebook also uses address data to target ads to you and to verify your identity if you get locked out. Updating it matters if you've moved, if you want to change what's publicly visible, or if the address on file is wrong.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Facebook on a computer or phone, but both routes take you to the same settings page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your address lives in two places on Facebook: your public profile (if you added it) and your account settings (which Facebook uses internally).
  • To change your profile address, go to your profile, click "Edit details," find the address field, and save your changes.
  • To change the address Facebook has on file for account recovery, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Address.
  • You can make your address visible to everyone, friends only, or hidden entirely — choose the privacy level that suits you when you save.
  • If you can't access your account, you may need to use a recovery email or phone number instead of changing the address while locked out.

Changing Your Address on Your Profile (Computer)

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top right. Click the "Edit details" button (it looks like a pencil icon) near your cover photo. Scroll down until you see the "Basic Information" or "Contact Information" section, depending on your account setup.

Find the address field and click it. Delete the old address and type the new one. Facebook will show you suggestions as you type — you can select one or type a custom address. Once you've entered it, click outside the field or press Enter to save. The change takes effect when ready.

If you don't see an address field at all, click "Add" or "Edit" in the Basic Information section to add one. You can then set who sees it: everyone, friends only, or only you. Choose your privacy setting from the dropdown menu next to the address field before saving.

Changing Your Address on Your Profile (Phone or Tablet)

Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit profile" (the pencil icon). Scroll to find the address field — it's usually under "Basic Information" or "Contact Information."

Tap the address field to edit it. Clear the old address and type the new one. Facebook will suggest addresses as you type. Select one or enter a custom address. Tap outside the field to save, or look for a checkmark or "Save" button depending on your app version.

To change who can see your address, tap the privacy icon (usually a circle with lines) next to the address field. Choose "Public," "Friends," or "Only Me." Tap outside the field or the back arrow to return to your profile and confirm the change saved.

Changing the Address in Your Account Settings

This is the address Facebook uses for account recovery and security — it may be different from what's on your public profile. Go to Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click "Personal Information." Look for "Address" and click it.

If an address is already there, click "Edit" next to it. Delete the old address and type the new one. Facebook will suggest matches as you type. Select one or enter a custom address. Click "Save" when you're done.

If there's no address listed, click "Add Address" and follow the same steps. This address is not public — it's only used by Facebook internally for account recovery and fraud prevention. You don't set privacy levels for it the way you do for your profile address.

What Happens If You Can't Remember Your Old Address

You don't need to know your old address to change it. straightforward click the address field, clear whatever is there (or leave it blank), and type the new one. If the field is empty, just add the new address without deleting anything.

If you're trying to change the address in your account settings and you can't remember what you entered before, that's fine — you can overwrite it with the new address without knowing the old one. Facebook doesn't require you to verify the old address before changing it.

Fixing a Typo or Partial Address

If your address has a typo or is incomplete, use the same steps as above: click the field, select all the text, and retype it correctly. Facebook's address suggestions usually catch common mistakes, so if you start typing your street name, the full address with correct spelling often appears in the dropdown.

If Facebook's suggestion doesn't match your actual address, you can type a custom one. For example, if you live in an apartment, you can type "123 Main Street, Apt 4B, City, State 12345" and Facebook will accept it even if it doesn't match a standard database entry.

Privacy Settings for Your Address

When you add or change your address on your profile, Facebook shows you a privacy dropdown next to the field. "Public" means anyone on or off Facebook can see it. "Friends" means only people you're friends with can see it. "Only Me" hides it from everyone except you.

Most people choose "Only Me" or "Friends" for their address. Choosing "Public" is not recommended unless you have a specific reason — it makes your home location visible to strangers. You can change this setting anytime by going back to your profile, clicking "Edit details," and adjusting the privacy icon next to the address.

The address in your account settings (used for recovery and ads) is never public. Only you and Facebook can see it, regardless of your profile privacy settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different addresses for my profile and my account settings?

Yes. Your profile address (what others see) and your account settings address (what Facebook uses internally) are separate. You can change one without affecting the other. Some people leave their profile address blank for privacy but add an address to their account settings for recovery purposes.

Will changing my address affect my Facebook ads or recommendations?

Yes. Facebook uses your address to target ads to you and to show you local recommendations. If you change your address, the ads and suggestions you see may shift to match your new location. This usually happens within a few hours.

What if I don't want any address on Facebook at all?

You can leave your profile address blank — just don't add one, or delete it if one exists. For your account settings, you can also leave the address field empty. Facebook doesn't require an address to use your account. You can still use email or a phone number for account recovery.

Do I need to change my address if I'm just visiting somewhere temporarily?

No. Your address on Facebook should reflect where you actually live, not where you're visiting. If you're traveling, you don't need to update it. Facebook's ad targeting is based on your account address, not your current location, so temporary travel won't change what you see.

What if Facebook won't let me save my new address?

Make sure you're typing a real street address, not just a city or state. Facebook's address field expects a full or partial street address. If you're entering a custom address (like a rural route or a place without a street address), try typing it exactly as it appears on your mail. If it still won't save, try again in a few minutes — temporary glitches are common.