You can create a second Facebook account using a different email address or phone number

Facebook allows you to create multiple accounts as long as each one uses a separate email address, phone number, or both. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way as creating your first account — you provide a name, contact information, birthdate, and password, then confirm your identity through email or text message.

The main limitation is that Facebook's rules require each account to represent one real person using their authentic name. You cannot create accounts for fictional characters, businesses (those need a Facebook Page instead), or other people. If you create a second account for yourself, both accounts must be registered under your real name, though you can use different variations — for example, "James Rodriguez" and "James M. Rodriguez".

Before you start, decide what you want the second account for. Some people create a separate account to keep work contacts away from personal friends, others to manage a hobby or interest group separately, and some straightforward want a fresh start without deleting their original account. Your reason affects which email address you should use and what information you put in the profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Facebook account needs its own email address or phone number, and both accounts must be registered under your real name.
  • You can create a second account by going to facebook.com, clicking "Create New Facebook Account", and filling in your information with a different email than your first account uses.
  • Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — you must enter this code before the account becomes active.
  • You can log in and out of both accounts on the same device, but you cannot be logged into both at the same time on the same browser.
  • If you want to keep the accounts separate, use different passwords and avoid linking them to the same phone number or recovery email.

Step-by-step process to create your second account

Go to facebook.com on any web browser or open the Facebook app. If you are already logged into your first account, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right on mobile, or the downward arrow at the top right on desktop. Select "Log Out" to sign out completely.

Once you are logged out, look for the link that says "Create New Facebook Account" — on the website it appears near the login button, and in the app it is at the bottom of the login screen. Click or tap it to open the account creation form.

Fill in the form with your information: first name, last name, email address (this must be different from the one linked to your first account), phone number (optional but recommended for security), birthdate, and gender. Use your real name, as Facebook requires. Click "Sign Up" when you are finished.

Facebook will send a confirmation code to the email address you provided. Check your inbox (and spam folder if you do not see it when ready) and enter the code into the box that appears on screen. If you provided a phone number, you can choose to receive the code by text instead. Once you enter the correct code, your account is created and ready to use.

Choosing the right email address for your second account

You need a different email address for each Facebook account. If you only have one email address, you can create a free second one through Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other email provider in about two minutes. Many people create a second email specifically for their second Facebook account so the two accounts stay completely separate.

Write down which email goes with which account and store this information somewhere you can find it later. If you forget which email is linked to which account, you can recover the information by going to facebook.com/login/identify on any device and entering your name — Facebook will show you the email addresses associated with your accounts.

Avoid using the same recovery email or phone number for both accounts if you want to keep them truly separate. If someone gains access to your recovery email, they could potentially access both accounts. Using different recovery methods for each account adds a layer of protection.

Setting up passwords and security for both accounts

Create a strong, unique password for your second account — do not reuse the password from your first Facebook account. A strong password has at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write your passwords down in a find location, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store them.

After you create your second account, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Password to confirm your password is saved correctly. You can also turn on two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification) for added security. This means Facebook will ask for a code from your phone or an authentication app every time you log in from a new device.

To set up two-factor authentication, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Scroll down to "Two-Factor Authentication" and choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an app like Google Authenticator. This step is optional but recommended if you want to protect your second account from unauthorized access.

Logging in and out of multiple accounts on the same device

You can switch between your two accounts on the same phone or computer, but you can only be logged into one account at a time in a single browser window. On mobile, open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon, scroll down, and tap "Log Out". Then log in with your second account's email and password. To switch back, repeat the process.

On a desktop computer, click the downward arrow at the top right of Facebook, select "Log Out", and then log in with your second account. If you want to avoid logging out each time, you can use a different browser for each account — for example, use Chrome for your first account and Firefox for your second account. Both browsers can stay logged in at the same time on the same computer.

Another option is to use Facebook's account switcher if you have a mobile device. After you create your second account, log into it once. Then log back into your first account. Tap the menu icon and scroll to the bottom — you should see both account names listed. You can tap between them to switch without logging out, though this only works on the mobile app, not on the website.

What information to include in your second account profile

Your second account must have your real name, just like your first account. However, you can choose how much additional information to share. If you are creating a second account to keep work separate from personal life, you might add your job title and workplace to this account but not to your first one. If you are creating it for a hobby or interest, you might add information related to that interest instead.

You do not have to add a profile picture, cover photo, or biographical information if you do not want to. You can leave these blank or fill them in later. The only required fields are your name, email, birthdate, and gender. Everything else is optional and can be changed or deleted at any time.

Consider whether you want your second account to be discoverable by other people. In Settings & Privacy, go to Settings, then Privacy, and adjust who can search for you by name and who can see your friends list. You can make your account more private by limiting who can send you friend requests or see your posts.

Keeping your accounts separate and avoiding problems

Facebook's rules prohibit using multiple accounts to pretend to be different people, to harass someone, or to evade a ban. If you create a second account for yourself, both accounts should follow Facebook's Community Standards just like your first account. Do not use one account to message someone from multiple accounts, impersonate another person, or circumvent a restriction placed on your first account.

If your first account was disabled or restricted, creating a second account to get around that restriction violates Facebook's terms. Facebook can disable both accounts if it detects this behavior. If your first account was disabled, you can request a review through facebook.com/help/contact, but creating a new account will not solve the underlying problem.

Keep your two accounts separate by using different passwords, different recovery emails if possible, and different friend lists. Do not link them to the same phone number or use the same recovery email for both. The more separation between the accounts, the easier it is to manage them independently and the less likely a problem with one account will affect the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same phone number for both accounts?

You can use the same phone number as a recovery method for both accounts, but it is not recommended. If someone gains access to your phone number, they could potentially access both accounts. It is safer to use different phone numbers or to use one phone number for one account and an email address for the other.

What happens if Facebook thinks my second account is fake?

Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. This happens when the account looks suspicious — for example, if you create it and when ready add hundreds of friends or post repeatedly in a short time. Provide accurate information and Facebook will usually restore access within a few days.

Can I merge my two accounts back together later?

No, Facebook does not offer a way to merge two separate accounts. If you decide you no longer need your second account, you can delete it permanently through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion. Choose "Delete Account" and Facebook will remove it after 30 days.

Will my friends from the first account automatically be friends on the second account?

No, your friend lists are separate for each account. You will need to send friend requests from your second account to anyone you want to connect with there. You can choose to add the same people to both accounts or keep different friend groups on each one.

Can I use a business name or nickname instead of my real name?

Facebook requires both accounts to be registered under your authentic name. You cannot use a business name, nickname, or stage name as your primary name on either account. If you need a business presence, create a Facebook Page instead of a second personal account — Pages do not count toward the account limit and can be named anything.