Change Your Facebook Email or Password in Three Steps
To change the email address or password you use to log into Facebook, open the site or app, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to the "Access" section and select either "Email" or "Password". You will be asked to confirm your current password before the change takes effect. The new email or password becomes active when ready.
If you have forgotten your current password, you can reset it from the login screen without entering Settings — click "Forgotten password?" and follow the recovery steps instead. If you no longer have access to the email address tied to your account, the process is longer and requires you to verify your identity through a phone number or other method.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your login email or password through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Access, and the change takes effect right away.
- Facebook will ask you to enter your current password before allowing you to set a new one, so you must remember it to make the change yourself.
- If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgotten password?" link on the login screen instead of going to Settings.
- If you no longer have access to your registered email address, you will need to verify your identity using a phone number or other recovery method before you can change it.
Changing Your Email Address Through Settings
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop in the top right). Select "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". Scroll down until you see the "Access" section — this is where login details live.
Tap or click "Email" under the Access heading. Facebook will show you the email address currently linked to your account. Enter your current Facebook password in the box that appears, then type the new email address you want to use. Click "Change Email" or the equivalent button on your device. Facebook will send a confirmation message to the new email address — open that message and click the link inside to finish the change.
The new email becomes your login email when ready after you confirm it. Your old email address will no longer work to log in, though Facebook may keep it on file for account recovery purposes.
Changing Your Password Through Settings
Follow the same path: menu > Settings and Privacy > Settings > Access. This time, tap or click "Password". Enter your current password in the first box. Type your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and once in the "Confirm New Password" field. Click "Change Password".
Facebook will log you out of all devices and sessions as a security measure. You will need to log back in using your email (or phone number, if you have one registered) and your new password. This logout happens on all devices where you were logged in, so you may see login screens on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Make your new password at least six characters long and avoid using words that appear in your name, email, or other public information. A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is harder to guess.
What to Do If You Have Forgotten Your Password
Go to facebook.com (or open the app) and look for the login screen. Below the password box, click or tap "Forgotten password?". Facebook will ask you to enter the email address or phone number tied to your account. Type it in and click "Search".
Facebook will show you a list of ways to reset your password — usually an email address, a phone number, or both. Select the one you still have access to. If you choose email, Facebook will send you a link; click it and you will be taken to a page where you can set a new password. If you choose a phone number, you may receive a code by text message that you enter on the reset page.
Once you have set a new password through the reset process, you can log in right away. You do not need to go through Settings.
Recovering Your Account If You Cannot Access Your Email
If the email address on your Facebook account no longer works and you do not have a phone number registered, the recovery process takes longer. On the login screen, click "Forgotten password?" and enter the email address. When Facebook asks how you want to reset your password, look for an option like "No longer have access to these?" or "Need another way to reset your password?"
Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using other information — usually a photo ID, a recent login location, or trusted contacts you have named in your account settings. Follow the on-screen steps to upload or confirm this information. Facebook's support team will review it, which can take several days.
Once your identity is confirmed, you will be able to set a new password and, if you wish, change the email address on your account to one you can access now.
Changing Your Login Method on Mobile Apps
The steps are the same on iPhone and Android as they are on a computer, but the menu layout differs slightly. Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) at the bottom right on iPhone or top right on Android. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". Scroll to "Access" and choose "Email" or "Password".
Enter your current password, then type your new email or password as you would on a computer. Tap the confirmation button. If you are changing your email, check the new email address for a confirmation link from Facebook and tap it to complete the change.
What Happens After You Change Your Login Details
Your new email or password takes effect when ready. If you changed your password, you will be logged out of all devices and will need to log back in with the new password. If you changed your email, your old email will no longer work as a login method, but the change does not affect anything else on your account — your friends, messages, photos, and settings all stay the same.
If you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps (the "Log in with Facebook" button), those connections keep working. You do not need to update them separately. However, if any app or website has saved your old Facebook password, it may fail to log in until you update it there as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Facebook email without knowing my current password?
No. Facebook requires your current password to change your email or password through Settings as a security measure. If you do not remember it, use the "Forgotten password?" link on the login screen to reset it first, then go to Settings to make your change.
Will changing my password log me out of the Facebook app on my phone?
Yes. When you change your password, Facebook logs you out of all devices and sessions for security. You will see a login screen on your phone, tablet, and computer and will need to enter your new password to log back in.
What if I change my email but forget to confirm it?
If you do not click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends, your old email remains your login email. The new email will not become active. Check your inbox and spam folder for the confirmation message and click the link inside.
Can I use a phone number instead of an email to log into Facebook?
Yes, but only if you have registered a phone number in your account settings. Go to Settings > Personal Information > Mobile Phone and add or update your number. You can then log in using that phone number and your password instead of your email.
Does changing my password affect my Facebook Messenger login?
No. Messenger uses the same password as your main Facebook account, so when you change your Facebook password, Messenger updates automatically. You will log out of Messenger on all devices and will need to log back in with your new password.