Change Your Facebook Email or Phone Number

To change the email address or phone number you use to log into Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. Find the Email or Phone Number section and click next to the address you want to change. Type in your new email or phone number, then click Save Changes. Facebook will send a confirmation code to verify the change — check your email or text messages for it, enter the code on Facebook, and you're done.

You can have multiple email addresses or phone numbers linked to your account at the same time. This means you don't have to remove the old one before adding a new one. If you want to remove an old email or phone number after adding a new one, go back to that same Personal Information section, find the address you no longer need, and click the X next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your login email or phone number through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email or Phone Number.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code to the new email or phone number you enter, and you must enter that code to complete the change.
  • You can keep multiple email addresses or phone numbers on your account, so you don't have to delete the old one right away.
  • If you no longer have access to the email or phone number currently on your account, use the "Find Your Account" tool on the Facebook login page to regain access.
  • Changes take effect when ready once you confirm the code, and you can log in with either the old or new address until you remove the old one.

What Happens When You Confirm the Code

After you enter a new email or phone number, Facebook sends a confirmation code within a few minutes. Open the email or check the text message on the phone number you provided. The code is usually six digits and expires after a set time — typically 24 hours. Copy the code and paste it into the box on Facebook, then click Confirm.

Once you confirm the code, the new email or phone number becomes active when ready. You can log in using either the new address or any other email or phone number linked to your account. The old login still works until you manually remove it from your Personal Information section.

Removing an Old Email or Phone Number

If you want to delete an email address or phone number you no longer use, go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information. Find the email or phone number in the Email or Phone Number section and click the X button next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal — click Remove and it's gone.

You must have at least one way to log in on your account at all times. If you only have one email or phone number linked, Facebook won't let you remove it. Add a new email or phone number first, confirm it, and then you can remove the old one.

If You Can't Access Your Current Email or Phone Number

If the email address or phone number on your account no longer works — because you lost access to that email account, changed phone carriers, or closed that phone line — you can't receive the confirmation code Facebook sends. In this case, use the "Find Your Account" tool on the Facebook login page instead of trying to change your information through Settings.

Click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Enter your name, email, or phone number. Facebook will show you account options and ask how you want to recover access. Choose "No longer have access to these?" and follow the steps to verify your identity using a photo ID or other methods Facebook offers. Once you regain access, you can change your login information normally through Settings.

Changing Your Password at the Same Time

Your password and your login email or phone number are separate things. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to update your password while you're in Settings, click Password in the left menu. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change Password.

A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthday, or common words. If you forget your password later, you can reset it using the email address or phone number you just added to your account, so make sure the new login information is one you can actually access.

What to Do If the Change Doesn't Go Through

If you enter a new email or phone number but never receive the confirmation code, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the code email lands there by mistake. Wait a few minutes and check again, because the code can take up to 10 minutes to arrive. If you still don't see it, go back to Settings and try entering the email or phone number again. Facebook will send a new code.

If you're trying to add a phone number and Facebook says it's already linked to another account, that phone number is registered to a different Facebook profile. You can only use each phone number on one account. Try using a different phone number, or contact Facebook through the Help Center if you believe the other account is not yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my login without confirming a code?

No. Facebook requires you to confirm any new email address or phone number by entering a code sent to that address or number. This protects your account from unauthorized changes. The code arrives within minutes and is valid for 24 hours.

What if I add a new email but want to keep using my old one to log in?

You can keep both. After you confirm the new email, both addresses will work to log in. You only need to remove the old one if you want to stop using it. Go to Personal Information, find the old email, and click the X next to it.

Can I change my login information on the Facebook app instead of the website?

Yes. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then Personal Information. The steps are the same as on the website. You'll still receive a confirmation code by email or text.

How long does it take for a login change to work?

Once you confirm the code, the change is active when ready. You can log in with the new email or phone number right away. If you removed an old login, that takes effect right away too.

What if someone else changed my login information without permission?

Use the "Find Your Account" tool on the login page and follow the recovery steps. You can verify your identity using a photo ID. Once you regain access, change your password when ready and review your Security and Login settings to see where your account was accessed from recently.