The steps to change your primary email on Facebook

Open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner — the downward-facing arrow next to your profile picture. Click Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, select Personal information. You will see your email address listed there. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Facebook will ask you to enter your new email address in the field that appears. Type it carefully — you will need access to this email to confirm the change. After you enter the new address, click Add or Save depending on what your screen shows.

Facebook will send a confirmation link to the new email address you just entered. Open that email, click the link, and your primary email will update. If you do not see the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder.

Key Takeaways

  • Your primary email is the one Facebook uses to send you login codes and account notifications, so choose one you check regularly.
  • You must be able to receive email at the new address before you finish the change — Facebook sends a confirmation link you have to click.
  • The change takes effect only after you click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends you.
  • You can keep your old email on your account as a secondary email if you want to use it to log in later.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to verify your identity through other methods before Facebook lets you change it.

What happens to your old email address

Your old email stays on your account as a secondary email unless you remove it. This means you can still use it to log into Facebook if you want to. To remove it completely, go back to Personal information, find the old email in the list, and click the X or delete button next to it.

Removing your old email is optional. Many people keep it on their account in case they lose access to their primary email later. Facebook lets you have multiple emails attached to one account, so there is no penalty for keeping the old one.

What to do if you cannot access your old email

If you no longer have access to the email address currently listed as your primary, Facebook may ask you to verify your identity before allowing the change. This usually means providing a phone number, answering security questions, or uploading a photo of your ID.

Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and try to change your email. If Facebook blocks you, it will show you the verification options available. Follow the steps on screen — most people complete this in a few minutes.

Using your new email to log in

Once your primary email is changed and confirmed, you can use the new email address to log into Facebook instead of your old one. You can also still use your username or phone number if you have those set up on your account.

Your password does not change when you update your email. You log in the same way you always have — just with a different email address if you choose to use it.

Why Facebook needs a working email address

Facebook uses your primary email to send you login codes when you sign in from a new device, notifications about your account, and password reset links if you get locked out. If your primary email is one you never check, you may miss important security alerts or have trouble getting back into your account.

Choose an email address you use regularly and have reliable access to. If you travel or change email providers often, pick one that will stay active for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email on Facebook from my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Find Personal information and follow the same steps as on a computer. The process is identical.

How long does it take for Facebook to confirm my new email?

The confirmation link arrives within minutes. Once you click it, the change is when ready. If you do not see the email after 10 minutes, check your spam folder or request that Facebook send the confirmation link again.

What if I entered the wrong email address by mistake?

If you have not clicked the confirmation link yet, go back to Personal information and delete the incorrect email from your list. Then add the correct one. If you already clicked the confirmation link, repeat the process with the correct address and remove the wrong one afterward.

Can I use the same email for multiple Facebook accounts?

No. Each email address can be the primary email for only one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that is already a primary email on another account, Facebook will not allow it. You can use it as a secondary email on a different account, but not as a primary one.

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

No. Your password stays the same. Changing your email address does not affect your login credentials or security settings. You log in with the same password you have always used.