You cannot find your old password, but you can create a new one

Facebook does not show you your current password anywhere on the site — not in settings, not in email, nowhere. This is intentional and makes your account safer. Instead, you reset your password by proving you own the account, then creating a brand new one that only you know.

The reset process takes a few minutes and works from any device, even if you are locked out right now. Facebook will send a link to your email or phone number, you click it, and you set a new password when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to facebook.com/login and click "Forgotten password?" to start a reset without needing your old password.
  • Facebook will ask you to confirm your identity using an email address or phone number linked to your account.
  • You will receive a reset link by email or text message within minutes, valid for 24 hours.
  • Create a new password that is at least 6 characters long and different from passwords you use elsewhere.
  • If you cannot access your email or phone number, use Facebook's account recovery tool to regain access through other methods.

Starting a password reset from the login screen

Go to facebook.com/login on any web browser or open the Facebook app. On the login screen, look for the text "Forgotten password?" below the password field and click it. This takes you to the account recovery page.

Facebook will ask you to enter either the email address or phone number connected to your account. Type whichever one you remember and click "Search." If you have multiple email addresses or phone numbers on file, Facebook may show you a list — choose the one you still have access to.

Confirming your identity

Facebook will send a reset link to the email or phone number you provided. Check your email inbox (including spam and promotions folders) or your text messages within a few minutes. The link stays valid for 24 hours.

If you do not see the reset email or text, wait 5 minutes and check again. If nothing arrives after 10 minutes, go back to the recovery page and try a different email address or phone number on your account. Some email providers delay messages, so check your spam folder first before requesting a new link.

Creating your new password

Click the reset link in your email or text message. This opens a page where you can create a new password. Facebook requires at least 6 characters, but a stronger password uses uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueMountain#2024" is much harder to guess than "password123."

Do not reuse a password you have used before on Facebook or on other websites. If someone has your old password from a data breach elsewhere, reusing it gives them access to your Facebook account too. After you type your new password twice to confirm it matches, click the button to save it. You can now log in with your new password.

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

If the email address or phone number on your account no longer works — you changed providers, lost your phone, or closed that email — Facebook has a backup recovery process. From the account recovery page, look for a link that says "No longer have access to these?" or "Need more help?" and click it.

Facebook will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, upload a photo ID, or confirm your identity through other methods. This process can take a few days because Facebook reviews your information manually. Be as specific as possible when answering questions — the more details you provide, the faster the review.

Staying logged in after you reset

After you create your new password and log in, Facebook may ask if you want to stay logged in on that device. If this is your personal computer or phone, click yes — you will not have to type your password every time. If this is a shared device or public computer, click no so other people cannot access your account.

You can also log out of Facebook on all other devices at once. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Scroll to "Where you are logged in" and click "Log out of all sessions." This signs you out everywhere except the device you are currently using, which is useful if you think someone else has been accessing your account.

Preventing lockouts in the future

Add a backup email address and phone number to your account now, while you can still log in. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Click "Email" and "Phone" to add extras. If you ever lose access to your main email, Facebook can send the reset link to a backup instead.

Turn on two-factor authentication as well. This requires a code from your phone or an authentication app every time you log in from a new device, which stops someone from accessing your account even if they have your password. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login, and look for "Two-factor authentication."

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reset my password?

The reset link arrives within minutes of requesting it. Creating your new password is when ready. If you cannot access your email or phone number and need to use Facebook's manual recovery process, that can take several days while they verify your identity.

Can I reset my password on the Facebook app?

Yes. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings." Tap "Security and Login" and then "Edit" next to "Change Password." You will need to enter your current password, or if you do not know it, tap "Forgotten password?" to go through the reset process.

What if someone else is using my account right now?

Reset your password when ready using the steps above. Then go to Settings and Privacy, Settings, Security and Login, and click "Log out of all sessions" to sign out everyone except yourself. Change your password again if you are worried the person knows your new one.

Do I need to remember my old password to create a new one?

No. The entire point of the reset process is that you do not need your old password. You only need access to an email address or phone number connected to your account.

Can Facebook tell me what my old password was?

No. Facebook does not store your old passwords in a way that lets anyone, including Facebook staff, see them. This protects you if Facebook's systems are ever breached. You can only create a new password, not recover the old one.