Change your Facebook password from settings

To change your Facebook password, open Facebook on any browser or the mobile app, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll down to Security and login. Click "Change password" and enter your current password once, then your new password twice. Facebook will log you out of all other devices once you save the change.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need to know your old password if you have already forgotten it — Facebook can send you a reset link by email instead, which is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings and Privacy > Settings > Security and login > Change password on any device where you are already logged in.
  • Facebook will ask you to enter your current password before letting you create a new one, so have it ready.
  • After you save a new password, Facebook automatically logs you out everywhere except the device you are using right now.
  • If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it by email instead of changing it.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Step-by-step: changing your password on desktop

Start by logging into Facebook on a computer. In the top right corner, click the downward arrow next to your profile picture. A menu will drop down — click "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings" again.

On the left side of the page, you will see a menu. Scroll down until you find "Security and login" and click it. On the right side, you will see a section called "Login" with several options. Find the line that says "Change password" and click it.

Facebook will ask you to enter your current password in the first box. Type it in carefully — if you make a mistake, you will have to start over. Then type your new password in the second box and type it again in the third box to confirm it. Click "Change password" at the bottom.

You will see a message saying your password has been changed. Facebook will log you out of the app on your phone and any other devices, but you will stay logged in on the computer you are using right now.

Step-by-step: changing your password on mobile

Open the Facebook app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll all the way down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings."

Scroll down to find "Security and login" and tap it. You will see "Change password" listed under the Login section. Tap it, then enter your current password in the first field and your new password in the second and third fields. Tap "Change password" to save.

The process is identical on iPhone and Android. If you are using the mobile web version of Facebook instead of the app, follow the desktop steps above — the layout is the same.

What to do if you have forgotten your password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the "Change password" option because Facebook will ask for it first. Instead, go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgot password?" below the password box.

Facebook will ask you to enter the email address or phone number connected to your account. Enter it and click "Search." Facebook will show you a list of email addresses and phone numbers associated with your account — click the one you want to use to reset your password.

Facebook will send a link to that email address. Open your email, find the message from Facebook, and click the link. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Type your new password twice and click "Continue." You will then be able to log in with your new password.

How to make sure your new password is strong

A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Facebook does not require a specific format, but security experts recommend making your password at least 12 characters long and mixing in uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

For example, "BlueSky#2024River" is stronger than "password123" because it is longer and uses a mix of character types. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or information that appears on your Facebook profile. Do not reuse a password you have used on other websites.

If you have trouble remembering a long password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in automatically. Popular password managers include Bitwarden, 1Password, and LastPass.

Why Facebook logs you out after changing your password

When you change your password, Facebook automatically logs you out of the app on your phone, your tablet, and any other devices you use. This is a security feature. If someone else had access to one of your devices or had logged into your account on a computer at a library or internet café, logging you out everywhere prevents them from using your account.

You will stay logged in only on the device you used to change your password. On all other devices, you will see a login screen the next time you open Facebook. straightforward enter your new password and you will be logged back in.

If you see a device logged in that you do not recognize, you can remove it without changing your password. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Security and login > Where you are logged in, find the device, and click "Log out."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing my current password?

No, the "Change password" option requires your current password. If you have forgotten it, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page instead. Facebook will send you a reset link by email, and you can create a new password without entering the old one.

Will changing my password log me out of Facebook Messenger?

Yes. Messenger uses the same login as Facebook, so changing your password will log you out of Messenger on all devices except the one you used to make the change. You will need to log back in with your new password.

What if I change my password but still cannot log in?

Make sure you are typing your new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning "Password" is different from "password." If you are still stuck, use "Forgot password?" again to reset it. If that does not work, Facebook may have temporarily locked your account for security reasons, and you may need to wait a few hours before trying again.

Can I change my password on someone else's computer?

Yes, but it is not recommended. If you change your password on a shared or public computer, make sure to log out completely when you are done. Better option: use "Forgot password?" to reset it instead, then log in with your new password and log out. This way, your old password is not entered on that computer.

How often should I change my Facebook password?

You do not need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. If you reuse passwords across multiple sites, change your Facebook password right away — that is the biggest security risk.