The steps to update your birthday
Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture. Click the three dots next to "Edit profile" and select "Edit profile." Scroll down to the "Basic information" section and find the birthday field. Click on it to edit the date, then save your changes.
If you do not see a birthday field, it may be because you have not added one yet. In that case, click "Add" next to the birthday line and enter your date of birth. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change before it takes effect.
The process is the same on mobile. Open the Facebook app, tap your profile picture, tap "See your profile," tap the three dots, and select "Edit profile." Scroll to birthday and tap to change it.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your birthday through your profile settings by clicking the three dots next to "Edit profile" and selecting "Edit profile."
- Your birthday appears in the "Basic information" section, where you can click to edit or add a date.
- Facebook lets you change your birthday multiple times, though frequent changes may trigger a review.
- You can control who sees your birthday by adjusting the privacy setting next to the date field.
- If you have not added a birthday yet, you can add one at any time using the same profile editing steps.
Privacy settings for your birthday
Next to your birthday field, you will see a privacy icon (usually a lock or globe symbol). Click it to choose who can see your birthday. Your options are usually "Public" (everyone), "Friends" (only people you are connected with), or "Only me" (hidden from everyone except Facebook).
Facebook uses your birthday to send you birthday reminders and show your age on your profile. If you set it to "Only me," your friends will not see your birthday, but Facebook will still use it for account security and age verification purposes.
What happens if you change your birthday frequently
Facebook allows you to change your birthday, but the platform monitors accounts that change it many times in a short period. If you change it repeatedly, Facebook may temporarily lock the birthday field or ask you to confirm your identity before allowing another change.
This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your account. If you need to change your birthday again after a recent change, you may need to wait a few weeks or verify your account through email or phone.
Removing your birthday entirely
If you do not want a birthday on your profile at all, you can delete it. Go to "Edit profile," find the birthday field, and click the X or delete button next to the date. Confirm the removal when Facebook asks.
Once deleted, your birthday will no longer appear on your profile or in your basic information. You can add it back at any time using the same steps to edit your profile.
Birthday visibility on your profile
Your birthday appears in your "About" section on your profile page. The exact placement depends on your privacy settings. If you set it to "Public," anyone visiting your profile will see it. If you set it to "Friends," only your connections will see it when they visit.
Facebook also sends birthday notifications to your friends on your birthday, even if your birthday is set to "Only me." Your friends will still know it is your birthday because Facebook tells them, but they will not see the specific date on your profile.
Troubleshooting birthday change issues
If you cannot find the birthday field, make sure you are in the right section. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to "Edit profile," and select "Edit profile" — not "Edit your profile information" or other similar options. The birthday field should appear in the "Basic information" section.
If the field is grayed out or you cannot click it, your account may be restricted. This sometimes happens if Facebook detected unusual activity. Try logging out and back in, or use a different browser. If the problem continues, you may need to verify your identity through Facebook's account recovery process.
If you see an error message when trying to save, check that you entered a valid date. Facebook requires a real birth date in the format it displays. Do not use future dates or dates that would make you younger than 13, as Facebook has age restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my birthday from specific people?
Facebook does not let you hide your birthday from individual people. You can only set it to "Public," "Friends," or "Only me." If you want certain people not to see it, set it to "Only me" or "Friends" and remove those people from your friends list.
Will changing my birthday affect my Facebook account or data?
Changing your birthday will not delete your account or data. It only updates the date shown on your profile and in your basic information. Your posts, photos, and messages will remain unchanged.
How often can I change my birthday on Facebook?
You can change your birthday as often as you want, but Facebook may restrict frequent changes as a security measure. If you change it multiple times within a few weeks, you may need to wait before changing it again or verify your identity.
What if I entered the wrong birthday when I created my account?
You can change it using the same steps: go to "Edit profile," find the birthday field, and update the date. If you cannot change it or Facebook is asking for verification, you may need to confirm your identity through email or phone before the change goes through.
Does Facebook notify my friends when I change my birthday?
No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your birthday. They will only see the updated date if they visit your profile and your privacy settings allow them to view it.