You can create a new Facebook account by using a different email address or phone number

Facebook lets you run more than one account at the same time, but each one needs its own login. The simplest way is to use a different email address or phone number for each account. You cannot use the same email or phone number twice — Facebook's system will recognize it and either merge the accounts or block the second one.

The process takes about five minutes. You will need a working email address or phone number you can access, a name you want to use, and a password. Facebook will ask you to confirm your identity by clicking a link in an email or entering a code sent by text, so make sure you can reach whichever method you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Facebook account requires a unique email address or phone number — you cannot reuse the same login credential for two accounts.
  • You will need to verify your identity through email or text message before the account becomes fully active.
  • You can switch between accounts on the same device without logging out and back in each time using the account switcher menu.
  • Facebook's rules about real names explore to every account you create, and using a fake name on any account can result in that account being disabled.
  • If you forget which email or phone number belongs to which account, you can recover it through Facebook's account recovery tool.

Step-by-step: Creating a new account from scratch

Go to facebook.com on a web browser or open the Facebook app. On the login screen, look for the text that says "Create new Facebook account" (on the app) or "Create a Page" link at the bottom (on the website). Click it. Facebook will open a small window asking for basic information.

Enter your first and last name exactly as you want them to appear. Facebook requires you to use your real name on your account — this is their policy across all accounts. Enter your email address or phone number in the next field. Use an email or phone number you have not connected to any other Facebook account. Choose a strong password: at least eight characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Select your birth date and gender. Facebook uses this to show you age-appropriate content and ads. Click "Sign Up." Facebook will send a verification code to your email or phone number. Check your email inbox (or text messages) and enter the code into the window Facebook shows you. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder.

Once you enter the code, your account is created. Facebook may ask you to add a profile picture and find friends, but you can skip these steps and do them later.

Using a different email address you already own

If you have multiple email addresses, use one you check regularly. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and most other email providers work. The email does not have to be new — it just has to be one you have not already connected to a Facebook account.

If you are not sure whether an email is already linked to Facebook, go to facebook.com/login/identify and enter the email address. Facebook will tell you whether an account exists under that email. If it does, you will need to use a different email instead.

Some people create a new email address specifically for a second Facebook account. This takes a few extra minutes but gives you a clean separation. If you use Gmail, you can add a plus sign and any text to your existing email — for example, if your email is yourname@gmail.com, you can use yourname+facebook2@gmail.com as a separate login. Gmail treats these as different addresses, but they both send messages to your main inbox.

Using a phone number instead of email

You can use a mobile phone number instead of an email address to create and log into a Facebook account. This works well if you have a second phone line, a prepaid phone, or a Google Voice number. Facebook will text a verification code to that number, so you must be able to receive text messages on it.

Enter the phone number in the format Facebook requests — usually with the country code and area code. After you create the account, you can add an email address later in your settings if you want a backup way to log in. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email to add one.

Switching between accounts on the same device

Once you have created a second account, you can log into both on the same phone or computer without constantly signing out and back in. On the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap "Log Out." At the login screen, tap "Add Account." Enter the email or phone number and password for your second account.

Now both accounts are saved on your device. To switch between them, open the app and tap the three lines again. Scroll to the very bottom and you will see both account names listed. Tap the one you want to use. You will switch to that account when ready without entering your password again.

On a web browser, click the profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear. At the bottom, click "Switch Account" and then click the account you want to use. If you do not see your second account listed, click "Add Account" and log in with its credentials.

Keeping your accounts separate and find

Use a different password for each account. If someone guesses or steals the password to one account, they should not be able to access the other. Write your passwords down in a find place — a locked drawer, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a notebook you keep at home. Do not use the same password across multiple accounts, even if they are both yours.

Use different security questions and recovery methods for each account if possible. When you create the second account, Facebook may ask you to set up a recovery email or phone number. Use a different one than your first account uses. This way, if someone tries to break into one account, they cannot use the recovery method to access the other.

If you are creating a second account for a specific purpose — such as a business page, a hobby group, or keeping work separate from personal life — consider what information you share on each one. Do not copy your friend list from one account to the other unless you have a reason to. The more different your accounts are, the harder it is for someone to connect them or use one to compromise the other.

What to do if you forget which email belongs to which account

If you have created multiple accounts and cannot remember which email or phone number you used for each one, Facebook's account recovery tool can help. Go to facebook.com/login/identify. Enter any information you remember — a name, email, or phone number. Facebook will show you any accounts associated with that information.

If you remember the password to one account, log into it and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email and Phone. You will see which email and phone number are connected to that account. Write them down so you do not lose track again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same phone number for two Facebook accounts?

No. Each Facebook account must have a unique phone number or email address. If you try to use the same number for a second account, Facebook will either merge the accounts or prevent you from creating a new one. You will need a different phone number or email for each account.

What happens if I use a fake name on my second account?

Facebook can disable the account. Their policy requires all accounts to use your real name, regardless of whether it is your first, second, or tenth account. If Facebook suspects the name is fake, they may ask you to upload a government ID to confirm your identity. If you cannot or will not provide one, the account may be permanently disabled.

Can I have two Facebook accounts on one phone?

Yes. You can log into both accounts on the same phone using the account switcher. Both accounts will be saved on your device, and you can switch between them when ready without logging out. Just make sure you use a different email or phone number for each account when you create them.

If I delete one account, will it affect my other account?

No. Each account is separate. Deleting one account will not affect the others. However, Facebook takes 30 days to fully delete an account after you request it. During that time, you can cancel the deletion if you change your mind. After 30 days, the account and all its data are permanently removed.

Can I use the same password for both accounts if I am the only one who knows it?

It is not recommended. If someone discovers the password, they can access both accounts at once. Using different passwords means that if one account is compromised, the other remains find. A password manager can store multiple passwords so you do not have to remember them all.