What "changing your Facebook user" means and your options

Changing your Facebook user can mean three different things, and which one you need depends on what you're trying to do. You might want to switch to a different account you already own, change the name or email tied to your current account, or hand over your account to someone else. Facebook handles each of these differently, and some are easier than others.

If you have multiple Facebook accounts and want to use a different one, you can log out and log back in with different credentials. If you want to update your name, email address, or phone number on your current account, you can do that in your settings without losing anything. If you're trying to give someone else control of your account — say, after you pass away — Facebook has a specific process for that too.

Key Takeaways

  • Switching between your own accounts means logging out of one and logging in with the credentials for another; Facebook allows you to stay logged into multiple accounts at once on the same device.
  • Changing your name, email, phone number, or username on your current account happens in Settings and does not affect your account history, friends, or messages.
  • You cannot transfer your account to another person, but you can designate a legacy contact who can memorialize or manage your account after you die.
  • If you've lost access to your account, Facebook's account recovery tool can help you regain it by confirming your identity through email, phone, or trusted contacts.

Switching between multiple accounts you own

If you have more than one Facebook account and want to use a different one, the simplest method is to log out of your current account and log in with the username and password of the account you want to use. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select "Log Out," and then enter the login details for your other account.

On a phone or tablet, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu), scroll down, and tap "Log Out." Then log in with your other account's email or phone number and password. You do not lose any data or messages when you switch accounts this way — each account remains separate and intact.

Facebook also lets you stay logged into multiple accounts at the same time on the same device. After you log in to one account, you can tap the menu and select "Add Account" to log into another without logging out of the first. You can then switch between them by tapping the menu and selecting the account name you want to use. This is useful if you manage more than one account regularly.

Changing your name, email, or phone number on your current account

To change the name, email address, or phone number tied to your account, go to Settings on your computer or phone. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right, select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines, scroll down, and tap "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings."

Once you're in Settings, look for "Personal Information" or "Account." From there, you can edit your name, email address, phone number, or username. Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity by entering your password or a code sent to your email or phone. After you make changes, they take effect right away, but your account history, friends list, and messages stay exactly as they were.

If you want to change your username (the part that appears in your profile URL), go to Settings, find "Username," and enter a new one. You can change your username once every 14 days. If you change your email or phone number, make sure you still have access to at least one of them so you can recover your account if you forget your password later.

Recovering access if you've lost your password or been locked out

If you cannot log in because you've forgotten your password or your account has been locked, Facebook's account recovery tool can help. Go to the login page, click "Forgotten Password?" or "Forgot Account?", and enter the email address, phone number, or username associated with your account.

Facebook will show you a list of email addresses or phone numbers connected to that account. Select one you still have access to, and Facebook will send you a link or code to reset your password. If you no longer have access to any of those email addresses or phone numbers, you can use the "No Longer Have Access to These?" option to confirm your identity another way — usually by answering security questions or uploading a photo ID.

The recovery process can take a few minutes to a few days depending on which method you use. If you set up trusted contacts in your account settings beforehand, you can also ask them to help you regain access. A trusted contact can receive a special link that lets them help you reset your password without needing to know it themselves.

Designating a legacy contact for after you pass away

Facebook does not let you transfer your account to another person while you're alive, but you can designate a legacy contact — someone who can manage your account after you die. A legacy contact can memorialize your profile, respond to new friend requests, update your cover photo, and read a copy of your photos and posts. They cannot log in as you, read your private messages, or remove posts you made.

To set up a legacy contact, go to Settings, find "Deactivation and Deletion" or "Account," and look for "Legacy Contact." Click "Assign a Legacy Contact," search for the person you want to choose, and send them the request. They will receive a notification and can accept or decline. You can change or remove your legacy contact at any time.

If you do not choose a legacy contact and your account is memorialized after your death, Facebook will not let anyone manage it unless they can prove they are a family member and provide a death certificate. Having a legacy contact set up in advance makes the process much simpler for the people you leave behind.

What happens if your account is hacked or compromised

If you think someone else has logged into your account without permission, change your password right away. Go to Settings, find "Security and Login," and click "Change Password." Make sure your new password is strong — at least 8 characters long, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

After you change your password, scroll down to "Where You're Logged In" and review the list of devices and locations. If you see a login you do not recognize, click the three dots next to it and select "Log Out." This will sign that person out of your account on that device. You can also click "Log Out All Sessions" to sign out everywhere at once, though you will need to log back in on your own devices.

If you cannot access your account or change your password because someone has already locked you out, use the account recovery tool described above. Facebook will ask you to confirm your identity before letting you reset your password. If you think your account has been used to send spam or scam messages, report it to Facebook through the help center so they can investigate.

Deactivating or permanently deleting your account

If you want to stop using Facebook entirely, you have two options: deactivation or deletion. Deactivating your account hides your profile, messages, and posts from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data. You can reactivate your account anytime by logging back in. Deleting your account permanently removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages after about 30 days. After that, the data cannot be recovered.

To deactivate your account, go to Settings, find "Deactivation and Deletion," and click "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask you to confirm and may offer you the option to read your information first. To permanently delete your account, click "Delete Account" instead of "Deactivate Account" and follow the same steps.

If you deactivate your account, your friends will not be able to see your profile or send you messages, but your name may still appear in their chat history or in comments you made before deactivation. If you delete your account, those traces disappear after the 30-day waiting period. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two Facebook accounts with the same email address?

No. Each Facebook account must have its own unique email address or phone number. If you try to create a second account with an email already tied to another account, Facebook will not let you. You can, however, have multiple accounts as long as each one uses a different email address or phone number.

What if I want to change my Facebook username but it's already taken?

If the username you want is already in use, you cannot have it. Try a variation — add numbers, underscores, or periods to make it unique. You can change your username once every 14 days, so if you pick one you do not like, you can try again in two weeks.

Will changing my email address on Facebook affect my other accounts?

No. Your Facebook email is separate from your email address for other services. Changing it on Facebook does not affect your Gmail, Outlook, or any other email account. However, make sure you update your recovery email or phone number so you can regain access if you forget your password.

Can I recover my account if I do not remember my password or have access to my email?

Yes. Use the account recovery tool and select "No Longer Have Access to These?" You can then confirm your identity by answering security questions, uploading a photo ID, or asking trusted contacts to help. The process may take several days, but Facebook can restore your access.

What is the difference between deactivating and deleting my Facebook account?

Deactivation is temporary — your profile hides but your data stays, and you can reactivate anytime by logging in. Deletion is permanent — after 30 days, your account, photos, posts, and messages are gone for good. You can cancel deletion during the 30-day window by logging back in, but after that, recovery is not possible.