Change your password from Facebook settings

Open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow or three horizontal lines depending on your device. Tap or click "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Look for "Password" in the left sidebar (on desktop) or scroll down to find it (on mobile). Click or tap "Edit" next to your current password.

Facebook will ask you to enter your current password first as a security check. Type it in, then create a new password in the next field. Your new password should be at least six characters long, and Facebook recommends mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to guess. Type the new password again in the "Re-enter password" field to confirm you did not make a typo.

Click or tap "Save changes" at the bottom. Facebook will log you out of all your devices and sessions, then ask you to log back in with your new password. This logout happens on purpose — it closes any sessions someone else might have opened with your old password.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password anytime from Settings by clicking "Password" and then "Edit," even if you remember your current one.
  • Facebook requires you to enter your old password before creating a new one, so you must know your current password to change it this way.
  • Changing your password logs you out everywhere, which closes any unauthorized sessions someone else may have started.
  • A strong password uses a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should be at least six characters long.
  • After you save your new password, you will need to log back in on all your devices using the new one.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method above. Instead, go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten password?" below the password field. Facebook will ask you to enter the email address or phone number connected to your account.

Facebook will send a link to that email or a code to that phone number. Open the email or check your text messages, then click the link or enter the code. Facebook will let you create a new password without needing the old one. Once you set a new password, log in and follow the steps in the section above to change it again if you want something different.

Change your password on the Facebook app

The process on the mobile app is nearly identical to the website. Open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on Android or the top right on iPhone. Tap "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down until you see "Password" and tap "Edit" next to it.

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice — once in the first field and again to confirm. Tap "Save changes." Like the website version, this will log you out of all sessions, and you will need to log back in with your new password on every device where you use Facebook.

Why Facebook logs you out everywhere when you change your password

When you change your password, Facebook automatically logs you out of every device and browser where you were signed in. This happens because your old password no longer works, so any open sessions become invalid. It is a safety feature — if someone else had your old password and was using your account without permission, that logout closes their access when ready.

After the logout, you will see a notification telling you that your password was changed and that you have been signed out. You can then log back in on each device with your new password. If you see a logout notification but did not change your password yourself, that is a sign someone else may have accessed your account — change your password right away and review your login activity.

Check which devices are logged into your account

Before or after changing your password, you can see every device and browser where you are currently logged in. Go to Settings, then look for "Where you are logged in" or "Active sessions" depending on your device. This page shows the device type, location, and the last time that session was active.

If you see a device or location you do not recognize, click or tap "Log out" next to it to close that session when ready. You do not have to change your password to log out a single device — this button closes just that one session. If you see many unfamiliar devices, change your password afterward to make sure the person using them cannot log back in with the old password.

Create a password you can actually remember

A strong password is useless if you write it on a sticky note or forget it after two weeks. Consider using a passphrase — a string of random words strung together, like "BluePiano7Sandwich" — instead of a single complicated word. Passphrases are easier to remember and just as hard for someone to guess.

If you use the same password across multiple websites, change that habit starting now. If one website gets hacked, someone with your password can try it on Facebook, your email, your bank, and everywhere else. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone can store different passwords for each site so you only have to remember one master password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password regularly?

No. Facebook does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password somewhere else and that site was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. Changing it just because time has passed does not make your account significantly safer.

What happens if I change my password and then forget the new one?

Go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number, and Facebook will send you a reset link or code. You can then create another new password without knowing the previous one. You can repeat this process as many times as you need.

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No. Changing your password only changes how you log in. All your photos, messages, friends, and posts stay exactly where they are. The only thing that changes is that you will need to log in again on all your devices.

Can I change my password on someone else's device?

Yes, but be careful. If you change your password on a shared or public computer, log out completely when you are done — do not just close the browser. Better yet, change your password on your own device, then log out of the shared device from your Settings under "Where you are logged in" to close that session remotely.

What should I do if I think someone else changed my password?

Go to the login page and click "Forgotten password?" to reset it using your email or phone number. Once you are back in, go to Settings and check "Where you are logged in" to see if there are unfamiliar devices. Change your password again if needed, and consider turning on two-factor authentication so someone cannot log in even if they learn your new password.