Change your password from Facebook settings

Open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner (the three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Password and security. You will see a section labeled Change password — click Edit next to it.

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 six characters long, but longer is better — aim for 12 or more characters that mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @.

Click Save changes at the bottom. Facebook will log you out of all your devices and sessions. You will need to log back in with your new password on any device you use regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password anytime from Settings and privacy > Settings > Password and security, without needing to contact Facebook.
  • Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Changing your password logs you out everywhere, so you will need to sign back in on your phone, computer, and any other devices.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from settings.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months makes it harder for someone who has seen it to use your account later. If you use the same password on multiple websites, changing it on Facebook protects your account even if another site gets hacked.

Change your password when ready if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was breached, or if you logged in on a public computer or someone else's device. You do not need to wait for a scheduled change in these cases.

What to do if you forgot your password

Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot password? below the password field. Enter your email address or phone number associated with your account. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password — check your email inbox and spam folder.

Click the link in the email and enter a new password twice. You will be logged back into Facebook automatically. If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, make sure you entered the correct email address or phone number, and check your spam folder.

How to create a strong password you can remember

A strong password does not need to be random gibberish. Instead, think of a phrase you know well — a line from a song, a place you have been, or something from your childhood. Take the first letter of each word and mix in numbers and symbols.

For example, "I moved to Denver in 2015!" becomes ImtDi2015! — 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol. You can remember it because it means something to you, but someone guessing would need to try millions of combinations.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, pet's name, or anything in your Facebook profile. Do not use the same password across multiple websites, because if one site is hacked, attackers will try that password everywhere.

Signing back in after you change your password

After you change your password, Facebook logs you out of every device and app connected to your account. On your phone, you may see a message asking you to log in again the next time you open the Facebook app.

Enter your email address or phone number and your new password. If you use Facebook on a tablet, computer, or in a web browser, you will need to log in there too. This is normal and protects you — it makes sure only you can access your account from each device.

What to do if you cannot change your password

If you see an error message when you try to change your password, make sure you entered your current password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password".

If you still cannot change it, try logging out completely and logging back in, then go to Settings again. If the problem continues, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset your password instead. This often works when the normal change process does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password log me out of Messenger?

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

Can I change my password on the Facebook app instead of the website?

Yes. Open the app, tap the three lines in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then find Password and security. The steps are the same as on the website.

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

Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes time for the change to work across all of Facebook's servers. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try a different browser. If you still cannot log in, use "Forgot password?" to reset it again.

Do I need to change my password if I only use Facebook on my own device?

Changing your password every few months is still a good idea, even if you only log in from home. It protects you if your device gets hacked or if Facebook detects suspicious activity on your account.