Where to find the email setting on Facebook

Your email address on Facebook lives in your account settings, not in your profile. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, click the downward arrow in the top right corner (or the menu icon on mobile), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You will see your current email address listed there.

Facebook lets you add multiple email addresses to one account, but only one can be your primary email — the one Facebook uses to send you notifications and password reset links. When you change your primary email, Facebook sends a confirmation message to both your old and new address so you can verify the change actually came from you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your email address is in Settings > Personal information, not in your profile or privacy settings.
  • You can add a new email without removing the old one, but only one email can be your primary address at a time.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation link to both your old and new email address before the change takes effect.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to use a phone number or trusted contact to verify the change.

The step-by-step process on a computer

Go to Settings > Personal information and look for the email field. Click the pencil icon next to your current email address. A box will appear where you can type a new email. Enter the email address you want to use, then click Add. Facebook will not make this your primary email yet — it first sends you a confirmation link.

Check the inbox of the new email address you just entered. Facebook sends a message with a link that says something like "Confirm your email address." Click that link. Once you do, Facebook sends a second confirmation to your old email address asking you to approve the switch. Click the link in that message too. After both confirmations are complete, your new email becomes your primary address.

If you want to remove your old email address entirely, go back to Settings > Personal information after the new one is confirmed. Click the X next to the old email to delete it. You can keep both emails on your account if you prefer — Facebook just needs one to be marked as primary.

Changing your email on a phone or tablet

On the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and then tap the email field. Tap Add email address and type the new one. The confirmation process works the same way: you will get a link in both your new and old email inboxes to approve the change.

The mobile app sometimes takes a moment to refresh after you confirm. If you do not see your new email listed as primary right away, close the app completely and open it again. The change should appear within a few minutes.

What to do if you cannot access your old email anymore

If your old email account no longer exists or you have lost access to it, you cannot complete the normal two-step confirmation. Instead, Facebook lets you verify your identity using a phone number or a trusted contact. When you try to add a new email and the confirmation to your old address fails, Facebook will offer you alternative ways to prove you own the account.

You may be asked to enter a phone number associated with your Facebook account, or to name a trusted contact you set up beforehand. If you have neither of those, Facebook may ask you to upload a photo of your ID. This process can take a few days. Once Facebook confirms your identity, you can set your new email as primary without needing the old one.

Why Facebook requires confirmation from both emails

The two-step confirmation protects your account from being hijacked. If someone else had access to your Facebook password, they could try to change your email to lock you out. By requiring you to click a link in both the old and new email, Facebook makes sure the person making the change actually controls both addresses. It is a small inconvenience that stops someone from taking over your account with just your password.

This is also why you should keep your old email address on file for as long as possible, even after you switch to a new primary one. If you ever need to recover your account, having a backup email makes it much faster.

Common problems and how to fix them

If the confirmation link does not arrive in your new email, check your spam or junk folder first — it sometimes ends up there by mistake. Wait a few minutes and refresh your inbox. If it still does not show up after 10 minutes, go back to Settings > Personal information and click Resend confirmation email. Facebook will send the link again.

If you see an error message saying the email is already in use, that email address is attached to another Facebook account. You cannot use the same email for two different accounts. You will need to either use a different email address, or remove this email from the other account first (which requires access to that account).

If you change your mind after confirming the new email, you can switch back. Go to Settings > Personal information, click the pencil next to your current primary email, and select a different email from the list of addresses on your account. You will go through the confirmation process again, but this time with the email you want to go back to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same email address for multiple Facebook accounts?

No. Each email address can only be the primary email for one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that is already in use on another account, Facebook will block it. You would need to remove that email from the other account first.

What happens to my password when I change my email?

Your password stays the same. Changing your email does not reset your password or log you out. You will still use the same password to log in, but Facebook will send password reset links and notifications to your new email address going forward.

How long does it take for the email change to go through?

Once you click both confirmation links, the change is usually when ready. Your new email becomes your primary address right away. If the app does not show the update when ready, close and reopen it.

Can I have more than one primary email on Facebook?

No. You can add multiple email addresses to your account, but only one can be primary. Facebook uses the primary email to send you notifications, password resets, and security alerts. The other emails on your account are backups.

What if I do not receive the confirmation email?

Check your spam folder first. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and refresh your inbox. Go back to Settings > Personal information and look for a Resend confirmation email button. If you still do not receive it after several attempts, the email address you entered may be invalid or blocked by your email provider.