Change your password from Facebook's settings menu

Open Facebook on any browser or the mobile app and go to Settings & Privacy (the three horizontal lines in the top right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop). Select Settings, then find Password in the left menu under "Access". Click or tap Edit next to Password.

Facebook will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in, then enter your new password twice to confirm you typed it correctly. Your new password should be at least 6 characters long, though longer passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols are harder to guess. Click Save Changes when you're done.

Facebook will log you out of all your devices after you change your password. You'll need to sign back in on each device you use — your phone, tablet, computer, or any other place where you stay logged in. This logout happens automatically and is a security feature, not a problem.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Facebook password through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Password, then click Edit and enter your current password followed by your new one twice.
  • Changing your password logs you out everywhere, so you will need to sign back in on your phone, computer, and any other devices where you use Facebook.
  • A strong password is at least 6 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — the longer and more mixed, the harder it is to crack.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen instead of the Settings menu.
  • Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another site that was hacked, or every few months as a routine precaution.

When to change your password

Change your Facebook password if you suspect someone else knows it — for example, if you typed it in front of someone, shared it with a friend who no longer has access, or used it on another website that was later hacked. You should also change it if you logged into Facebook on a public computer or a borrowed device.

Many people change their passwords every few months as routine maintenance, even if nothing has happened. This limits the window of time that a stolen or guessed password could be used. You do not have to do this, but it is a low-effort way to reduce risk if you use Facebook for important things like staying in touch with family or managing a business page.

Create a password that is hard to guess

A strong password uses uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, BlueMoon#42River or Coffee$2024&Cream. The longer your password, the harder it is to crack, so aim for at least 12 characters if you can remember it. Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, pet's name, or other information someone could find on your Facebook profile or social media.

Do not use the same password on multiple websites. If one site is hacked, someone with your password can try it on Facebook, email, banking, and everywhere else you use it. If you struggle to remember different passwords, consider using a password manager — a program like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you.

Sign back in after changing your password

After you change your password, Facebook logs you out of every device. Open Facebook again on your phone, computer, or tablet and sign in with your new password. You will need to do this on each device separately — changing your password on your computer does not automatically sign you back in on your phone.

If you have Facebook open in multiple browser tabs or windows on the same computer, you may need to refresh the page or close and reopen your browser for the logout to take effect. Once you sign back in, you stay logged in as usual until you manually log out or change your password again.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings menu to change it. Instead, go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot Password? below the password box. Enter your email address or phone number associated with your account.

Facebook will send you a link to reset your password via email or text message, depending on which contact method you chose. Click the link in that message, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password without entering your old one. This process takes a few minutes and works the same way on mobile and desktop.

Recover your account if you cannot access your email or phone

If you forgot your password and cannot access the email address or phone number on your account, Facebook has a recovery process. Go to the login page, click Forgot Password?, and enter your username or any email address you remember using. Facebook will show you the email and phone number on file, partially hidden — for example, j***@gmail.com or 555-***-7890.

If you do not recognize either one, or if you cannot access them, click No longer have access to these? Facebook will ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions you set up in the past. This can take a few days, but it is the way back into your account if you are locked out.

Turn on two-factor authentication for extra security

Two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification) adds a second layer of protection beyond your password. After you sign in with your password, Facebook asks you to enter a code from your phone before you can access your account. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without that code.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication. Choose whether you want codes sent to you by text message, generated by an app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, or both. Facebook will walk you through the setup, and you will need to enter a code the first time you log in after turning it on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my photos, messages, or other data?

No. Changing your password only changes how you sign in. All your photos, messages, friends, and everything else on your account stays exactly the same. The only thing that happens is you get logged out and need to sign back in with your new password.

Can I change my password on the Facebook app, or do I have to use a browser?

You can change your password in the app. Open the three horizontal lines menu, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll down to Password, and tap Edit. The steps are the same as on a browser.

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 uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If you are still stuck, use the Forgot Password? link to reset it again. If your account has been hacked, Facebook may lock it temporarily; check your email for messages from Facebook about suspicious activity.

Do I need to change my password if I use Facebook login to sign into other apps?

Changing your Facebook password does not automatically log you out of apps that use Facebook login, but those apps may stop working until you sign in again with your new password. You do not need to do anything special — just sign in again the next time you open one of those apps.

How often should I change my password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you think it has been compromised, if you used it on another site that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several months. Changing it every three to six months is a reasonable middle ground between security and convenience.