Where to find the email setting on Facebook
Your email address on Facebook lives in your account settings, not in your profile. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You will see your current email address listed under the Email section.
Facebook shows only one email address at a time in this view, even if you have added multiple addresses to your account over the years. The email you see here is the one Facebook uses to send you notifications, password reset links, and security alerts. Changing it means those messages will go to your new address instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your email address is in Settings > Personal information > Email, and you can change it directly from there without needing a password.
- Facebook will send a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within a set time or the change will not go through.
- If you no longer have access to your old email address, you can still change it by using a phone number or other recovery method Facebook has on file.
- You can add multiple email addresses to your Facebook account so you can log in with any of them, but only one will receive notifications.
The step-by-step process to update your email
Click the Edit button next to your current email address. A text box will appear with your existing email highlighted. Delete it and type your new email address. Click Save changes. Facebook will when ready send a confirmation message to the new email address you just entered.
Open your new email inbox and look for a message from Facebook with the subject line "Confirm your email address" or similar wording. Click the link inside that email. This link is usually valid for 24 hours. Once you click it, your email address change is complete, and Facebook will use the new address for all future communications.
If you do not see the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Some email providers filter Facebook messages automatically. If you still cannot find it after 10 minutes, go back to Facebook Settings, click Edit again, and select Resend confirmation email to get a fresh link.
What happens if you cannot access your old email anymore
If your old email address no longer works or you no longer have access to it, you cannot complete the confirmation step using the normal method. Instead, Facebook offers alternative ways to verify your identity. When you try to change your email, Facebook may ask you to confirm using a phone number, a recovery email address you added previously, or answers to security questions you set up.
Go to Settings > Personal information > Email and click Edit. If Facebook detects that your old email is unreachable, it will show you the recovery options available on your account. Choose the one you still have access to and follow the prompts. This process may take longer than a straightforward confirmation email, sometimes requiring a day or two for Facebook to verify your request.
Adding multiple email addresses to your account
You do not have to replace your old email address entirely. Facebook lets you add extra email addresses to the same account, which means you can log in using any of them. In Settings > Personal information > Email, look for the option to Add another email address. Type the new address and click Add email. Facebook will send a confirmation link to that address, just like when you change your primary email.
Once you confirm the new email, it appears in a list below your primary email. You can now use either address to log into Facebook. However, only your primary email address receives notifications and password reset messages. If you want to change which email is primary, click the radio button or checkbox next to the address you prefer, then save.
Removing an old email address from your account
If you have added multiple emails over time and want to clean up your account, you can remove the ones you no longer use. In Settings > Personal information > Email, find the address you want to remove and click the X or Remove button next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm the removal. You cannot remove your primary email address this way — you must change it to a different address first if you want it gone.
Removing an old email does not affect your ability to log in with other addresses you have added. It only deletes that address from your account's list. This is useful if you are cleaning up after switching email providers or if you want to prevent someone from using an old email to access your account.
Troubleshooting common email change problems
If you change your email but Facebook keeps sending messages to your old address, the change may not have been confirmed. Return to Settings > Personal information > Email and check whether your new address shows as confirmed or pending. A pending address means you never clicked the confirmation link. Request a new confirmation email and complete that step.
If you see an error message saying the email is already in use, that address is attached to another Facebook account. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. You will need to either use a different email address or remove it from the other account first. If you own both accounts, log into the other one and change its email address before trying again.
If you cannot find the Settings menu, make sure you are logged into Facebook. Some features are not visible if you are viewing Facebook as a guest or if you are logged out. Log out completely and log back in with your password, then try accessing Settings again.
Why Facebook asks for your email and what it uses it for
Facebook requires an email address to send you important account information. This includes password reset links if you forget your password, security alerts if someone tries to log in from a new device, and notifications about activity on your account. Your email is also how Facebook contacts you about changes to your account or violations of their policies.
The email address you provide is not displayed on your public profile unless you choose to add it there separately. Your friends cannot see it unless you make it visible in your privacy settings. Facebook uses your email primarily for account recovery and security purposes, not for marketing or sharing with third parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email address on Facebook using my phone?
Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then Personal information. The email section works the same way as on a computer. You will still need to confirm the change by clicking a link in your new email inbox.
What if I change my email but forget to confirm it?
Your old email remains active until you confirm the new one. Go back to Settings > Personal information > Email and look for a Resend confirmation email option. Click it to get a fresh confirmation link. You have 24 hours from when the email is sent to click the link.
Can I use the same email address for multiple Facebook accounts?
No. Each email address can only be connected to one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that is already in use, Facebook will show an error. You will need to use a different email for each account or remove the email from the other account first.
Will changing my email address log me out of Facebook?
No. Changing your email does not affect your login status. You will stay logged in on all your devices. The change only affects where Facebook sends notifications and password reset messages.
What should I do if I no longer have access to the email I used to create my account?
Use the recovery options Facebook offers. In Settings > Personal information > Email, click Edit and Facebook will show you alternative ways to verify your identity, such as a phone number or recovery email you added previously. Choose one you still have access to and follow the steps to change your email address.