Why Facebook asks for your email and what it's used for
Facebook requires an email address to let you recover your account if you forget your password, to send you login alerts when someone tries to access your account from a new device, and to notify you about activity on your account. The email you add becomes one of the ways you can log in — you can use either your email or your phone number instead of your username.
When you add an email to Facebook, that address is stored on Facebook's servers. Facebook uses it to contact you about account security, password resets, and activity notifications. The email itself is not shared with advertisers or third parties by default, but it is linked to your profile and the data Facebook collects about you.
You can add more than one email address to your account. Many people add a backup email so they have another way to recover their account if they lose access to the first one.
Key Takeaways
- You add or change your email through Facebook Settings under "Personal Information," not through a separate page or app.
- Facebook will send a confirmation link to any new email address you add, and you must click that link before the address becomes active.
- You can have multiple email addresses on one Facebook account, and you can remove old ones after you add a new one.
- Changing your email does not change your login username or affect your friends, messages, or posts.
- If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, you can use a phone number or another email to recover it instead.
Steps to add a new email address to your Facebook account
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 "Personal information." You will see a section labeled "Email" with your current email address listed.
Click "Add email" or the pencil icon next to your email. Type the new email address you want to add. Facebook will send a confirmation message to that address. Open your email inbox, find the message from Facebook, and click the confirmation link inside it. Once you click the link, the new email is added to your account.
If you do not see a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Some email providers filter Facebook messages. If the email still does not arrive, go back to Facebook Settings, try adding the email again, and request a new confirmation link.
How to make a different email your primary email
Your primary email is the one Facebook uses to send you notifications and password reset links. If you have added multiple emails, you can choose which one is primary. Go to Settings, then "Personal information," then "Email." You will see all the email addresses on your account listed.
Next to each email address is a radio button or selection option. Click the button next to the email you want to use as your primary. Facebook will update this when ready — you do not need to confirm it again. From that point on, notifications and recovery emails will go to the new primary address.
Removing an old email address from your account
You can remove any email address from your account except the primary one. Facebook requires you to keep at least one email address active at all times. Go to Settings, then "Personal information," then "Email." Find the email you want to remove and click the X or delete button next to it.
Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to remove it. Click confirm, and the email is deleted from your account. You will no longer be able to use that email to log in, and Facebook will no longer send messages to it. This does not affect your account security or your ability to log in with your primary email or phone number.
What happens if you add an email that's already used on another Facebook account
Facebook does not allow the same email address to be the primary email on two different accounts. If you try to add an email that is already a primary email on another account, Facebook will tell you the email is already in use and will not let you add it.
However, you can add an email as a secondary (non-primary) email on multiple accounts. For example, you could have one account where the primary email is john@gmail.com and a second account where the primary email is john.work@gmail.com, and you could add john@gmail.com as a secondary email on the second account. This is useful if you manage multiple accounts and want to keep track of them, but be aware that Facebook's terms of service limit most people to one personal account.
Recovering your account if you no longer have access to your email
If you forget your password and no longer have access to the email address on your account, you can still recover it. Go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your username, email, or phone number. Facebook will show you a list of recovery options — usually a phone number you added to your account, or a trusted friend you set up as a recovery contact.
If you have a phone number on your account, Facebook can send you a code by text message. If you set up a trusted friend, Facebook can send them a special code that they can give to you. Once you receive the code and enter it, you can create a new password and regain access to your account. Then you can add a new email address that you do have access to.
If you have no recovery options set up and cannot access your email, contact Facebook through their help center. You may be asked to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions about your account.
Privacy considerations when adding an email to Facebook
The email address you add to Facebook is visible to you and to Facebook, but it is not displayed on your public profile by default. Other users cannot see your email address unless you change your privacy settings to show it, which is not recommended.
Facebook uses your email address to match you with other data it collects — your location, your browsing history on other websites, your purchase history, and your activity on Facebook. This combined profile is used to target advertisements to you. Adding an email does not increase this tracking; Facebook collects this data whether or not you add an email. However, the email is one more piece of information linked to your profile.
If you are concerned about how Facebook uses your data, you can review your privacy settings by going to Settings, then "Privacy," and adjusting who can see your profile, posts, and contact information. You can also limit which apps and websites can access your Facebook data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a fake email address on Facebook?
Technically you can type any email address into the field, but Facebook will send a confirmation link to that address. If the email does not exist or you do not have access to it, you cannot confirm it, and it will not be added to your account. Facebook requires a working email address so you can recover your account later.
What if I added an email by mistake and want to remove it before confirming it?
If you have not clicked the confirmation link yet, the email is not actually added to your account. You can straightforward ignore the confirmation email and it will expire. If you want to remove it from the process, go back to Settings and look for an option to cancel or delete the pending email.
Will changing my email address log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing or adding an email address does not log you out or affect your current login. You will stay logged in on all your devices. The email change only affects how you recover your account and where Facebook sends notifications.
Can I use the same email for Facebook and Instagram?
Yes. Since Facebook owns Instagram, you can use the same email address on both accounts. In fact, if you have both accounts, linking them with the same email makes it easier to recover both accounts if you forget your password.
Does Facebook sell my email address to other companies?
Facebook does not directly sell your email address to advertisers or data brokers. However, Facebook uses your email to build a profile about you that is used for targeted advertising. Third-party apps and websites that connect to Facebook may receive your email if you give them permission when you log in with Facebook.