Why and when to change your Facebook email

You can change the email address linked to your Facebook account at any time. Most people do this when they switch to a new email provider, stop using an old email account, or want to use a work email instead of a personal one. Facebook uses your email to send you login codes, password reset links, and notifications, so keeping it current matters — if your email is outdated and you get locked out, recovering your account becomes much harder.

The process takes about two minutes and doesn't affect your profile, friends, photos, or any other account data. You'll need to know your current Facebook password, and you should have access to both your old email and your new email during the change, though Facebook will send a confirmation link to your new address before the switch is final.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your email in Facebook Settings under "Personal Information," not in a separate security section.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within a set time for the change to take effect.
  • Your old email stops being linked to your account only after you confirm the new one, so you won't lose access during the process.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you can still change your primary email by using a phone number or other recovery method instead.

Steps to change your email on a computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and log in if you aren't already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page (next to your profile picture), then select "Settings and privacy" from the menu that appears. On the left side of the page, click "Settings."

Look for the section labeled "Personal Information" on the left sidebar and click it. You'll see a row that says "Email" with your current email address next to it. Click the pencil icon or the word "Edit" next to your email. A box will appear with your current email already filled in. Below it, there's a field labeled "New email address" — click in that field and type your new email address carefully, checking for typos.

Enter your Facebook password in the field that appears below (Facebook asks for this to confirm you're the account owner). Click the "Add email" or "Change email" button. Facebook will send a confirmation link to your new email address. Go to that email inbox, find the message from Facebook, and click the confirmation link inside it. Once you click that link, your new email becomes your primary email for the account.

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 tap "Settings." Scroll down to find "Personal Information" and tap it.

Tap the row that shows your current email address. A screen will open showing your email. Tap "Edit" or the pencil icon next to it. In the field that appears, delete your old email and type your new one. Tap the field below to enter your Facebook password, then tap "Change email" or "Add email" depending on what your version shows.

Facebook will send a confirmation link to your new email address. Open that email on your phone or computer, tap or click the confirmation link from Facebook, and the change will be complete. You can then close the app and log back in using your new email if you want to test it.

What to do if you can't access your old email

If your old email account no longer exists or you've lost access to it, you can still change your primary email. Instead of following the steps above, go to Settings and Personal Information, then look for other recovery options Facebook shows you — these might include a phone number you've added to your account or a recovery email you set up previously.

Click "Edit" next to your email and look for a link or option that says something like "Don't have access to this email?" or "Use a different recovery method." Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity using a phone number or by answering security questions you set up before. Once you've confirmed who you are, you can enter your new email address and complete the process the same way.

Confirming the change worked

After you click the confirmation link in your new email, return to Facebook and go back to Settings > Personal Information > Email. You should see your new email address listed there. If you still see your old email, the confirmation didn't go through — check your new email inbox again (including spam or promotions folders) for the Facebook confirmation message, or request that Facebook send it again.

To test that everything is working, you can log out of Facebook completely, then try logging back in using your new email address and your password. If you can log in successfully, the change is complete. Your old email is no longer connected to your account, and Facebook will use your new email for all future communications.

Keeping your recovery options current

While you're in your Personal Information settings, take a moment to check your other recovery options. Facebook lets you add a phone number and a recovery email (different from your primary email) so that if you ever lose access to your main email, you have another way back into your account. These are optional but worth setting up, especially if your email situation might change again.

You can add a phone number by clicking "Phone" in the Personal Information section and entering a number you check regularly. You can add a recovery email by clicking "Recovery email" and entering a second email address. Neither of these replaces your primary email — they're backup ways to recover your account if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my email affect my Facebook friends or posts?

No. Your email is only used for logging in and receiving notifications. Your profile, friends list, photos, messages, and everything else on your account stays exactly the same. The change is invisible to everyone but you.

How long does the confirmation link stay valid?

Facebook typically gives you 24 to 48 hours to click the confirmation link in your new email. If the link expires, go back to Settings > Personal Information > Email and request a new confirmation link. You may need to enter your password again.

Can I change my email back to the old one later?

Yes, anytime. Follow the same steps and enter your old email address as the new one. Facebook will send a confirmation link to that old email, so you'll need access to it to complete the change.

What if I enter the wrong email by mistake?

If you notice the mistake before clicking the confirmation link, go back to Settings > Personal Information > Email and edit it again to the correct address. If you already clicked the confirmation link, you'll need to change it again using the correct email this time.

Do I need to tell Facebook why I'm changing my email?

No. Facebook doesn't ask for a reason, and you don't need to provide one. The change is straightforward and doesn't require any explanation or additional steps beyond confirming your password and clicking the confirmation link.