You cannot see your current Facebook password, but you can create a new one

Facebook does not show you your existing password for security reasons — the company stores passwords in encrypted form and cannot retrieve them even if you ask. If you need to get back into your account, you will reset your password instead, which means creating a new one that only you know. This takes a few minutes and works whether you remember your old password or not.

The reset process works the same way whether you access Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet. You start from the login page, tell Facebook who you are using your email or phone number, and then follow a verification step before setting a new password.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook stores passwords in encrypted form and cannot show you your current one, so resetting (creating a new password) is the only way forward.
  • You can reset your password from the login page by entering your email address or phone number and verifying your identity through email or text message.
  • If you do not have access to the email or phone number on your account, you can use a trusted contact or a photo ID to regain access.
  • After you reset your password, change it again from your account settings if you think someone else knows it or if you used a temporary password.
  • Turning on two-factor authentication after you regain access makes it much harder for someone else to lock you out again.

How to reset your password from the login page

Go to facebook.com or open the Facebook app and look for the login screen. Below the password field, click or tap "Forgotten password?" This takes you to a page asking for your email address or phone number — the one connected to your Facebook account.

Type in the email or phone number and click "Search." Facebook will show you the account it found and ask you to confirm it is yours. If the email or phone number is partially hidden (like m***@gmail.com), that is normal — Facebook does this for privacy. Click "This is my account" to move forward.

Facebook will then send you a verification code to that email or phone number. Check your email inbox or text messages for a message from Facebook. The code is usually six digits. Enter it on the reset page, and Facebook will let you create a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something only you know.

What to do if you cannot access your email or phone number

If the email or phone number on your account no longer works — because you changed providers, lost your phone, or no longer have access to that email — Facebook offers two other ways to verify who you are.

The first is using a trusted contact. Before you lost access, you may have set up trusted contacts in your Facebook settings. If you did, Facebook can send a special link to one of those people, and they can help you regain access. On the password reset page, look for "No longer have access to these?" and select "I don't have access to these contact methods." Facebook will then ask if you want to use a trusted contact.

The second is uploading a photo ID. Facebook will ask you to take a photo of your driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID and upload it. Facebook reviews the ID to confirm you are the account owner. This can take a few hours or up to a day. Once Facebook confirms your identity, you can set a new password.

Resetting your password on a mobile phone

The process on a phone is nearly identical to a computer. Open the Facebook app or go to facebook.com in your browser. On the login screen, tap "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number, and Facebook will send you a verification code via text or email. Enter the code and create a new password.

If you are already logged into the Facebook app on your phone but forgot your password and want to change it, you can do that from settings instead. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu), scroll down to "Settings & privacy," then "Settings," then "Password." Tap "Change password," enter your current password, and then enter your new password twice.

Creating a strong password you will actually remember

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "MyDog#Runs2024!" is stronger than "password123." Avoid using your name, birth date, or common words that appear in a dictionary.

If you struggle to remember passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone or browser. These tools generate strong passwords and store them securely so you only have to remember one main password. Write your new Facebook password down on paper and store it somewhere safe at home — not in a note on your phone or computer where a hacker might find it.

Changing your password again after you regain access

If someone else may have known your old password, or if you used a temporary password to get back in, change your password one more time from your account settings. This ensures that even if someone guessed or intercepted your first reset, they cannot use it to get in.

Log into Facebook, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Password." Enter your current password, then enter your new password twice and click "Save changes."

Turning on two-factor authentication to prevent lockouts

Two-factor authentication (also called 2FA) adds a second security step when you or someone else tries to log in from a new device. Even if a hacker has your password, they cannot get into your account without also having access to your phone or email.

To turn it on, go to Settings, then "Password and security," then "Two-factor authentication." Choose whether you want to receive codes by text message or through an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Facebook will send you a test code to make sure it works. Save your backup codes in a safe place — you will need them if you lose access to your phone or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Facebook tell me what my old password was?

No. Facebook encrypts passwords so that even Facebook employees cannot see them. If you need to remember what password you used elsewhere, you will have to reset those accounts too. This is actually a good security practice — it means a hacker who breaks into Facebook cannot steal your passwords for other sites.

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you have access to your email or phone number, you can reset your password in about five minutes. If you need to use a trusted contact or upload a photo ID, it can take several hours to a day for Facebook to verify your identity and let you create a new password.

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

Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try logging in again in a private or incognito window. If you are using the Facebook app, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it. If you still cannot log in after resetting your password, go back to the password reset page and try again, or contact Facebook through their help center.

Do I need to change my password if I just forgot it?

No, but you should. If you forgot it, someone else might have guessed it too. Resetting to a new password you have never used before closes that risk. If you use the same password on multiple websites, change those too.

Will resetting my password log me out on other devices?

Yes. When you reset your password, Facebook logs you out of the Facebook app and website on all devices. You will need to log back in with your new password on each device you use.