Why you need an email on Facebook

Facebook requires at least one email address tied to your account so you can log in, reset your password, and receive notifications. If you created your account with a phone number instead, or if you want to add a second email for backup, you can do that from your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're on a computer or phone.

Having a current email on file also matters because Facebook uses it to contact you about account security issues — if someone tries to log in from a new device, or if your password gets changed, you'll get an alert at that email address. If your email is outdated or missing, you might not know when something suspicious happens.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a second email to Facebook without removing your first one, so you don't have to choose between them.
  • Facebook will send you a confirmation link to any new email you add — you must click that link before the email becomes active on your account.
  • If you forget which email is connected to your account, you can check by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
  • You can set one email as your primary login email and keep others as backups, all from the same settings page.

Adding an email on a computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and log in if you're not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — it's next to your name and profile picture. From the menu that appears, click Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu. Click Personal Information. You'll see a section labeled Email with your current email address listed. Click the pencil icon next to it, or click Add email if you're adding a second one. Type the new email address into the box that appears, then click Add Email or Save depending on what button shows.

Facebook will send a confirmation message to that new email address. Open your email inbox, find the message from Facebook, and click the link inside it. This confirms that you actually own that email and can receive messages there. Once you click the link, the email becomes active on your Facebook account.

Adding an email on your phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to Personal Information and tap it. Tap Email. If you're adding a second email, tap Add Email. If you're changing your primary email, tap the pencil icon next to the current one. Type your new email address and tap Add or Save.

Just like on a computer, Facebook sends a confirmation email to the address you entered. Go to your email inbox, open the message from Facebook, and tap the confirmation link. Your new email is now connected to your account.

What to do if you don't receive the confirmation email

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes get filtered there by mistake. If it's not there, wait a few minutes and check again, because the email can take a moment to arrive.

If you've waited 10 minutes and still don't see it, go back to your Facebook settings and try adding the email again. Make sure you typed it correctly — a single typo will send the confirmation to the wrong inbox. If the email address belongs to a work account or school account, check whether your organization blocks emails from Facebook, which some do.

If you're still stuck, you can remove the unconfirmed email from your account and try a different one. Go back to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Email. Click the X next to the email that didn't confirm, and try again with a different address.

Choosing which email is your primary login

If you have more than one email on your account, you can decide which one is your main login email. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Email. Next to each email address, you'll see a radio button (a small circle). Click the circle next to the email you want to use as your primary login.

This is the email Facebook will use if you ever need to reset your password, and it's the one that will appear in your public profile if you've made your email visible. The other emails stay on your account as backups but won't be your main login email.

Removing an email from your account

You can remove any email except your primary one. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Email. Find the email you want to remove and click the X next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Remove. That email is now disconnected from your account.

If you want to remove your primary email, you must first set a different email as primary. Once you've done that, you can remove the old one. Facebook always requires at least one email on your account, so you can't remove all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same email for multiple Facebook accounts?

No. Each email address can only be connected to one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that's already tied to a different account, Facebook will tell you it's already in use and won't let you add it.

What happens if I add an email but never confirm it?

The email stays unconfirmed and won't work for logging in or receiving notifications. Facebook will keep it on your account for a while, but it won't be active. You can remove it and try again, or confirm it by clicking the link in the confirmation email.

Can I change my login email without losing my account?

Yes. You can add a new email, confirm it, set it as primary, and then remove the old one. Your account stays the same — only the email address you use to log in changes. All your photos, friends, and messages stay on your account.

What if I don't have access to my old email anymore?

Add a new email address that you do have access to, confirm it, and set it as primary. Then you can remove the old one. If you can't confirm a new email because you're locked out of your account, you'll need to use Facebook's account recovery process, which may ask you security questions or require you to identify photos of your friends.