You can change your birthdate on Facebook, but only certain parts of it, and only a limited number of times
Facebook lets you edit your birthdate in your profile settings, but with restrictions. You can change the month and day as many times as you want, but you can only change the year (your age) once every 60 days. If you made a mistake when you first created your account, or your information was wrong, you can fix it — but Facebook limits how often you can do this to prevent people from hiding their real age or evading age-based restrictions.
The process takes about two minutes and requires you to be logged into your account. You do not need to contact Facebook support unless your account has been restricted or you cannot access your settings for another reason.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your month and day of birth anytime, but the year (your age) can only be changed once every 60 days.
- Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to find your birthdate field.
- Only you can see your birthdate unless you change your privacy settings to make it visible to friends or the public.
- If you cannot edit your birthdate because your account is too new or restricted, wait a few days or contact Facebook support.
How to change your birthdate step by step
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your screen. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Basic Information — your birthdate appears there.
Click on the birthdate field to edit it. A calendar or date entry box will appear. Change the month, day, or year as needed, then click Save Changes. Facebook will confirm the update when ready. If you are changing the year, note that you will not be able to change it again for 60 days.
If you do not see a birthdate field, or if the field is grayed out, your account may be too new or temporarily restricted. Facebook sometimes locks new accounts from editing certain information for a few days. Wait three to five days and try again, or contact Facebook support if the problem continues.
Who can see your birthdate
By default, your birthdate is visible only to you. Facebook does not show it on your public profile or to your friends unless you change your privacy settings. This is the safest default, especially if you are concerned about identity theft or do not want your age visible to people browsing your profile.
If you want to let friends see your birthdate so they can wish you a happy birthday, go back to Personal Information, click the privacy icon next to your birthdate (it looks like a lock or a person), and select Friends. You can also choose Public if you want everyone to see it, though this is not recommended for security reasons.
Why Facebook limits how often you can change your age
Facebook restricts age changes to once every 60 days because the platform uses your birthdate to enforce age-based rules. Accounts for people under 13 have different privacy settings and restrictions than adult accounts. People under 18 have limited advertising targeting. If someone could change their age freely, they could hide their real age and bypass these protections.
The 60-day waiting period also helps prevent account takeovers. If a hacker gains access to your account, they cannot when ready change your age to hide their activity or lock you out of age-restricted features. The delay gives you time to notice unauthorized changes and regain control of your account.
What to do if you cannot change your birthdate
If you see an error message or the birthdate field will not let you edit it, check whether you are within the 60-day window for changing your year of birth. If you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the 60 days have passed. You can still change the month and day anytime.
If the field is completely locked or grayed out, your account may be new (less than a few days old), or Facebook may have temporarily restricted your account for security reasons. Log out, wait a few hours, and try again. If the problem persists after three to five days, go to the Facebook Help Center and select Report a Problem to contact support. Explain that you cannot edit your birthdate and provide the date you last changed it if you remember.
Changing your birthdate on mobile devices
The process is nearly identical on the Facebook app for iPhone or Android. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap your birthdate to edit it. Make your changes and tap Save.
Mobile sometimes shows the date picker differently than the website — you may see a scrolling wheel instead of a calendar — but the result is the same. If you have trouble seeing the birthdate field on mobile, try switching to the Facebook website on your phone's browser, where the layout may be clearer.
Protecting your account after changing personal information
Whenever you edit your birthdate or other personal details, take a moment to review your recent account activity. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Scroll to Where You are Logged In and check whether all the devices listed are ones you recognize. If you see a device or location you do not recognize, click it and select Log Out.
You should also check your login alerts. In the same Security and Login section, make sure Get Alerts About Unrecognized Logins is turned on. This way, if someone tries to access your account from a new device or location, Facebook will send you a notification and ask you to confirm it is really you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my birthdate back to what it was before?
Yes, but only if you are within the 60-day window for changing your year of birth. If you changed your year more than 60 days ago, you will have to wait until the 60 days have passed since your last change. You can change the month and day back anytime without waiting.
What happens if I put in the wrong birthdate when I created my account?
You can fix it by following the steps above. If you entered a birthdate that makes you appear to be under 13, Facebook may have restricted your account. Contact Facebook support and explain that you entered your age incorrectly when you signed up. They may be able to unlock your account once you provide your real birthdate.
Does changing my birthdate affect my Facebook birthday reminders to friends?
Yes. If you change your month or day, your birthday will move to the new date on your friends' birthday calendars. If you change only the year, the month and day stay the same, so the birthday reminder date does not change.
Can someone else change my birthdate if they have my password?
Yes, which is why protecting your password is important. If you think someone has accessed your account, change your password when ready and review your recent login activity in Settings and Privacy under Security and Login. If you see logins you do not recognize, log out all other sessions.
Why does Facebook need my real birthdate at all?
Facebook uses your birthdate to enforce age restrictions (accounts under 13 have limited features), to target age-appropriate ads, and to show your birthday to friends if you allow it. You are required to provide a birthdate when you create an account, but you control who sees it through your privacy settings.