Where to find the email setting and what you need before you start

You change your Facebook email in the Settings menu, which takes about two minutes. Before you begin, have your current password ready — Facebook will ask for it to confirm the change. You will also need access to the new email address you want to use, because Facebook sends a confirmation link there.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone, though the menu looks slightly different. Either way, you are not deleting anything or creating a new account — you are straightforward updating which email address is tied to your existing account.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your email in Settings by clicking Personal Information, then Email, then Edit.
  • Facebook requires your current password to confirm any email change for security reasons.
  • You must click a confirmation link sent to your new email address before the change takes effect.
  • Your old email stops working for Facebook login once the new one is confirmed, so write down your new email if you are switching to something you rarely use.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use a phone number or other recovery method instead.

Steps to change your email on a computer

Open Facebook and look for the downward-pointing arrow or circle with your name in the top right corner. Click it and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you will see a menu — click Personal information.

Find the row that says Email and click the word Edit next to it. A box will appear with your current email address. Click Add email below it. Type your new email address into the field that appears, then click Add email again. Facebook will ask for your password — type it in and click Confirm.

Check the new email address you provided. Facebook sends a message with the subject line "Confirm your email address on Facebook" — look for it in your inbox or spam folder. Open the message and click the blue Confirm your email address button or link. Once you click it, your new email is active and your old one no longer works for logging in.

Steps to change your email on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap Email.

Tap Add email. Type your new email address and tap Add email again. When Facebook asks for your password, type it in and tap Confirm. Then open your email app or go to your email in a web browser, find the confirmation message from Facebook, and tap or click the confirmation link inside it.

What happens if you do not confirm the new email

If you add a new email but do not click the confirmation link within a few days, Facebook removes the new email from your account automatically. Your old email stays active. You can try again whenever you are ready — there is no penalty for starting over.

This safety feature exists because someone could try to add an email address that is not theirs. By requiring confirmation, Facebook makes sure only you can change which email is attached to your account.

Changing your email if you cannot access your old one

If your old email account no longer exists or you have lost access to it, you cannot use the normal process because Facebook will not let you confirm the change. Instead, use a recovery method. On the Settings page where you would normally see your email, look for a link that says No longer have access to this email? Click it.

Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, a photo ID, or answers to security questions you set up in the past. Once you verify, you can add a new email without needing to confirm the old one. This process takes longer — sometimes a few hours — because Facebook reviews it manually.

Using a phone number instead of an email

You do not have to use an email address to log into Facebook at all. You can add a phone number to your account and use that instead. Go to Settings, then Personal information, then Phone, and click Add phone number. Type in your number and confirm it the same way you would confirm an email.

Once your phone number is confirmed, you can log in using either your email or your phone number. This is useful if you are switching email providers and want a backup way to get into your account. You can have both an email and a phone number active at the same time.

Troubleshooting: the confirmation email did not arrive

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes end up there by mistake. If you still do not see it after checking spam, wait a few minutes and try again. Facebook sometimes takes a moment to send the message.

If you have waited 10 minutes and still see nothing, go back to your Facebook Settings, find the email you just added, and look for a link that says Resend confirmation email. Click it and check your inbox again. If the email arrives this time, click the confirmation link right away. If it still does not arrive after a second attempt, try using a different email address or contact Facebook through their help center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two email addresses on my Facebook account at the same time?

Yes. You can add a second email address without removing the first one. Both will work for logging in. This is useful if you are switching providers slowly or want a backup. To add a second email, follow the same steps but do not delete the original one.

What if I forget my password when trying to change my email?

Click Forgot password? on the login screen and follow the steps to reset it. Facebook will send a link to your current email address. Once you reset your password, you can log back in and change your email normally.

Does changing my email log me out of Facebook on my phone or other devices?

No. Changing your email does not log you out anywhere. You stay logged in on all your devices. The next time you log in on a new device, you can use either your old email or your new email — whichever one you prefer.

Can I change my email back to the old one if I change my mind?

Yes. Follow the same process to add your old email address back. Facebook treats it like any other email change and sends a confirmation link to that address. Once you confirm it, you can use the old email again.

What if someone else has my old email address now?

Change your Facebook email to a new one you control, and remove the old email from your account entirely. Once it is removed, the new owner of that email address cannot use it to log into your Facebook account. You can remove an email by going to Settings, Personal information, Email, and clicking the X next to the address you want to delete.