The three most common changes on Facebook
Facebook lets you change your name, email address, and password from your account settings. Each change takes a different path and has different rules — your name can be changed once every 60 days, your email can be updated anytime, and your password should be changed if you think someone else knows it. You do not need to leave Facebook or create a new account to make any of these changes.
All three changes happen in the same place: your settings menu. The steps are straightforward and take less than five minutes total. If you get stuck, Facebook shows you what to do at each step.
Key Takeaways
- Your name can be changed once every 60 days, and Facebook may ask you to use your authentic name rather than a nickname or business name.
- Your email address can be changed anytime and does not affect your login — you can keep using your old email or phone number to sign in.
- Your password should be at least six characters and can include numbers, letters, and symbols for stronger security.
- All three changes are made through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
How to change your name on Facebook
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. Find the line that says Name and click Edit next to it.
Type your new name in the box that appears. Facebook will show you how your name will look to other people. Click Review Change to see it one more time, then click Save Changes. Your new name appears on your profile right away.
Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days. If you try to change your name and see a message saying you have already changed it recently, you will need to wait until the 60 days have passed. Facebook may also reject names that look like business names, numbers only, or repeated characters — if this happens, try a name that looks more like a person's actual name.
How to change your email address on Facebook
Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Find the line that says Email and click Edit. You will see your current email address listed.
Click the X next to your old email to remove it, or leave it there if you want to keep it on file. Type your new email address in the empty box. Facebook will send a confirmation link to that new email — open your inbox, find the message from Facebook, and click the link inside it. Once you confirm, your new email is active.
You can keep using your old email or phone number to log in even after you change your email address. Your login does not change unless you choose to change it. If you want to use only your new email to log in, you can remove the old one after confirming the new one, but this step is optional.
How to change your password on Facebook
Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Scroll down and find Password, then click Edit. Facebook will ask you to type your current password first — this confirms it is really you making the change.
Type your current password, then type your new password twice (once to enter it, once to confirm). Your new password should be at least six characters long. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # to make it harder for someone else to guess. Click Save Changes when you are done.
You will be logged out of Facebook on all your devices after you change your password. You will need to log back in using your new password. This is normal and happens for security reasons. If you see a notification that someone else tried to log into your account, change your password right away and consider turning on two-factor authentication in the same settings menu.
What to do if you cannot find the settings menu
If you are using Facebook on a phone or tablet, the menu might look different. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down until you see Personal Information and tap it. The steps for changing your name, email, or password are the same from there.
If you are using Facebook in a web browser on a computer, make sure you are logged in. The downward arrow should appear in the top right corner next to your profile picture. If you do not see it, refresh the page or try a different browser.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not try to change your name more than once every 60 days — Facebook will block the change and you will have to wait. If you need to change it sooner because of a legal name change, contact Facebook's support team and explain the situation with a photo of your new ID.
When you change your email, make sure you have access to the new email account before you confirm the change. If you confirm an email address you cannot access, you will have trouble logging back in later. Write down your new password somewhere safe after you change it, or use a password manager to store it.
If you change your password and then cannot remember it, click Forgot Password on the login page. Facebook will send you a link to reset it using your email address or phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to change it back, you will need to wait until the 60-day period is over. After that, you can change it to any name you want, including your old one.
What happens to my old email address after I change it?
Your old email address stays on your account unless you remove it. You can still use it to log in. If you want to stop using it, click the X next to it in your email settings. Removing it does not affect your account — you can always add it back later.
Do I need to tell my friends when I change my name?
No. Your friends will see your new name on your profile right away. Facebook does not send them a notification about the change, but they will notice it the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed.
What if I forgot my password and cannot access my email?
Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot Password. If you cannot access your email, Facebook will let you use your phone number instead. If you cannot access either one, you may need to contact Facebook support with a photo ID to prove you own the account.
Can I change my password on the Facebook app?
Yes. Open the app, tap the three lines in the bottom right, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Personal Information. The password change works the same way as on a computer.