Change your email in Facebook settings in three steps

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. Next to your email address, click Edit, enter your new email, and click Save changes. Facebook will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.

The entire process takes about five minutes. Your old email stops working to log in when ready after you confirm the new one, but Facebook keeps a record of your previous email for account recovery purposes. You can change your email as many times as you want, and there is no limit to how often you do it.

If you cannot find the Personal information section, you may be using an older version of Facebook's layout. Try clicking Settings directly from the menu, then look for Email in the left sidebar. The steps are the same, just in a slightly different location.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your email through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information, then click Edit next to your email address.
  • Facebook sends confirmation links to both your old and new email, and you must click the new one to finish the change.
  • Your old email stops working for login when ready, but Facebook keeps it on file for account recovery if you forget your password later.
  • The change takes effect right away — you do not need to wait for any processing time or approval from Facebook.

Why you might need to change your email

You may change your email because you no longer use the old one, your email provider shut down your account, or you want to use a work email instead of a personal one. Some people change their email when they switch to a new email provider or when they realize their old email is receiving unwanted messages.

Changing your email does not affect your Facebook friends, messages, photos, or any other content on your account. Your username and profile stay exactly the same. Only the email address you use to log in changes.

What happens to your old email address

Facebook keeps your old email on file permanently, even after you change it. This means you can still use your old email to log in if you forget your new password and need to recover your account. Facebook will send a password reset link to your old email if you ask for it, as long as you can prove you own the account.

Your old email is not visible to other users and does not appear anywhere on your profile. Only you and Facebook can see it. If someone tries to use your old email to create a new Facebook account, Facebook will tell them that email is already associated with an account and ask them to log in instead.

Changing your email on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on phone and computer. On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal information. Tap Email and enter your new address. On a computer, use the menu in the top right corner instead of the bottom right, but the rest is the same.

If you are using Facebook in a web browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the desktop steps — the layout is the same. Some older phones may show a simplified version of Facebook that looks different, but the Settings menu is still in the top right corner.

If you cannot access your old email anymore

If your old email no longer exists or you cannot log into it, you can still change your email address as long as you can log into Facebook itself. You do not need access to your old email to make the change — you only need to be logged into your account. Facebook will still send a confirmation to your old email, but if you cannot access it, you can skip that step and use your new email to log in right away.

However, if you cannot log into Facebook and you cannot access your old email, you will need to use Facebook's account recovery process. Go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps to prove you own the account. Facebook may ask you to identify friends in photos, answer security questions, or provide a government ID. Once you regain access, you can change your email normally.

Using a secondary email address instead

Facebook allows you to add a secondary email address without removing your primary one. This is useful if you want to keep your old email as a backup but log in with a new one. To add a secondary email, go to Settings > Personal information, look for the Email addresses section (not just Email), and click Add email address. Enter the new email and confirm it.

You can have up to three email addresses on your account at once. Any of them can be used to log in. To make a different email your primary one, go back to the same section and click the radio button next to the email you want to use for login. Your primary email is the one Facebook uses to send you notifications and password resets.

Troubleshooting if the change does not go through

If you click Save changes and nothing happens, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you are on the Facebook app, try logging out and logging back in. If the confirmation email does not arrive in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers filter Facebook messages by mistake.

If you see an error message saying the email is already in use, that email is attached to another Facebook account. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. If you created a second account by accident, you can delete it or change its email to something else. If you forgot you had another account, use the account recovery process to log into it and change its email instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email if I do not remember my password?

Yes. You do not need your password to change your email — you only need to be logged into Facebook. If you are already logged in, you can change your email without entering your password. If you are logged out and do not remember your password, use the login recovery process first, then change your email once you are back in your account.

Will my friends see my new email address?

No. Your email address is private and never visible to other users, even if they are your friends. Only you can see your email in your settings. Facebook uses your email only for login and for sending you notifications you have turned on.

How long does it take for the email change to take effect?

The change takes effect when ready after you click the confirmation link in your new email. You can log in with your new email right away. If you do not click the confirmation link, your old email remains active for login.

Can I use the same email for multiple Facebook accounts?

No. Each email address can only be attached to one Facebook account. If you try to use an email that is already on another account, Facebook will ask you to log into that account instead. If you need multiple accounts, each one must have its own unique email address.

What if I change my email and then want to change it back?

You can change your email back to your old one at any time by following the same steps. Go to Settings > Personal information, click Edit next to your email, enter your old email address, and confirm it. Facebook will send a confirmation link to your old email, and once you click it, the change is complete.