Change Your Email in Settings in Four Steps

Open Facebook and go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You will see your current email listed under the Email field.

Click the email address or the pencil icon next to it. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type your new email address in the box that appears, then click Change Email. Facebook sends a confirmation link to the new email address you entered.

Check the inbox of your new email account for a message from Facebook. Open that email and click the confirmation link inside it. Once you click the link, your email address is updated on your account. The old email address stops working for login purposes when ready.

If you do not see the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, return to Facebook Settings and try entering the email address again — you may have typed it incorrectly the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your email through Settings > Personal Information, where you will see your current email listed and can click to edit it.
  • Facebook requires your password before allowing any email change, and sends a confirmation link to the new address you provide.
  • You must click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends you, or the change does not take effect.
  • Your old email address stops working for login when ready after you confirm the new one, so make sure you have access to the new address first.
  • If the confirmation email does not arrive, check your spam folder or try the change again — typos in the new address are the most common reason for delays.

What Happens to Your Old Email Address

Once you confirm your new email, the old one is no longer connected to your Facebook account. You cannot use it to log in anymore. If someone else tries to create a Facebook account with your old email address, Facebook will let them — it is no longer reserved for you.

Any notifications or password reset emails Facebook sends will go to your new address from that point forward. If you have other accounts or services linked to your old email, they will not be affected by the Facebook change — only Facebook stops using the old address.

Changing Your Email If You Cannot Access the Old One

If you no longer have access to the email address currently on your account, you cannot complete the confirmation step through the normal process. Instead, go to Settings > Personal Information and click on the email field. Enter your new email address and your password.

Facebook will send the confirmation link to the new address. If you do not receive it, use the Did Not Get Code? option to request a new link. If you still cannot confirm, Facebook offers a recovery process through the login page — click Forgot Password? and follow the steps to regain access using a phone number or other recovery method tied to your account.

Using a Phone Number Instead of Email

Facebook allows you to use a phone number as your primary login method instead of an email address. Go to Settings > Personal Information and look for the Phone field. Add or update your phone number there. You can then log in using either your email or your phone number.

If you want to remove your email entirely and use only a phone number, you must first add a phone number to your account. Then return to the Email field and delete it. Facebook requires at least one contact method on file, so you cannot remove your email unless a phone number is already set up.

Troubleshooting When the Change Does Not Go Through

The most common reason a change fails is a typo in the new email address. Double-check that you entered it correctly — email addresses are case-insensitive, but spelling matters. If you see an error message saying the email is already in use, that address is connected to another Facebook account. You will need to use a different email address.

If Facebook says your password is incorrect when you try to make the change, use the Forgot Password? link on the login page to reset it first. Then return to Settings and try the email change again. If the confirmation email never arrives after 10 minutes, check your spam folder, then try the change one more time and request a new confirmation link.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Email

People change their Facebook email for several reasons: they no longer use an old email provider, they want to use a work email instead of a personal one, or they are consolidating multiple email accounts. Changing your email does not affect your friends, messages, photos, or any other content on your account — only the address you use to log in and receive notifications changes.

If you are changing your email because you are concerned about account security, also consider updating your password and checking which devices have access to your account. Go to Settings > Security and Login to see active sessions and remove any you do not recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same email for two Facebook accounts?

No. Each email address can be connected to only one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that is already in use, Facebook will reject it. If you need a second account, you must use a different email address for each one.

What if I confirm the new email by mistake and want to change it back?

You can change your email as many times as you want. Go back to Settings > Personal Information, click the email field, enter your old email address (or any other address), and repeat the confirmation process. There is no limit on how often you can make this change.

Will my friends know I changed my email?

No. Your email address is private and not visible to other users. Changing it does not notify your friends or appear on your profile. Only you and Facebook know what email is connected to your account.

Do I need to change my email if I change my password?

No. Your email and password are separate. You can change one without changing the other. Changing your password does not affect your email address, and changing your email does not affect your password.

Can I change my email on the Facebook app?

Yes. The steps are the same on the mobile app as on the desktop website. Open the menu, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information, and click on the email field to edit it. You will still need to confirm the change through a link sent to your new email address.