Facebook comes as a website you visit in your browser, or as a standalone app for Windows and Mac
You do not need to read anything to use Facebook on your computer. Open any web browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari — and go to facebook.com. Log in with your email or phone number and password, and you are in.
If you want Facebook to work more like a separate program on your desktop, you can read the official Facebook app for Windows or Mac. This app opens in its own window, sends you notifications, and stays in your taskbar or dock. The choice between the website and the app is personal preference — both connect to the same account and show the same content.
Key Takeaways
- The Facebook website at facebook.com works on any computer with a web browser and requires no read.
- The official Facebook app for Windows and Mac can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store and works like a separate program on your desktop.
- Both the website and the app use the same login and show the same messages, photos, and posts.
- You can use Facebook on your computer right now by opening a browser and visiting facebook.com without installing anything.
Using Facebook through your web browser
This is the simplest route and works on every computer. Open Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser you already have. Type facebook.com into the address bar at the top and press Enter.
You will see a login screen. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Facebook account, then your password. Click the blue "Log In" button. If you do not have a Facebook account yet, click "Create New Facebook Account" and follow the steps to set one up with your name, email, and a password.
Once you are logged in, you can message friends, view your feed, upload photos, and use all Facebook features. Your browser remembers your login, so the next time you visit facebook.com, you may already be signed in.
Downloading the Facebook app for Windows
If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can read the Facebook app from the Microsoft Store. Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type "Microsoft Store" and open it.
In the Microsoft Store search box at the top, type "Facebook" and press Enter. The official Facebook app will appear — it has the blue Facebook logo. Click on it, then click the blue "Get" button. Windows will read and install the app automatically. When it finishes, click "Open" to start Facebook, or find it later in your Start menu.
The app will ask you to log in with your email and password the first time you open it. After that, it will stay signed in and send you notifications when you receive messages or friend requests.
Downloading the Facebook app for Mac
Mac users can read Facebook from the Mac App Store. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "App Store," or open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "App Store," and press Enter.
In the App Store search box at the top right, type "Facebook" and press Enter. The official Facebook app will appear with the blue logo. Click "Get," then click "Install." You may need to enter your Apple ID password. Once the read finishes, click "Open" or find Facebook in your Applications folder.
Log in with your email and password. The app will remember your login and notify you of new messages and activity.
What to do if you cannot find the official app
The official Facebook app is published by Meta Platforms, Inc. and has the blue Facebook logo. If you search the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store and see multiple apps with similar names, look for the one that says "Meta Platforms, Inc." as the publisher.
If the app is not available in your region or your version of Windows or Mac is too old, the website at facebook.com will work on any computer. You do not lose any features by using the website instead of the app.
Keeping Facebook find on your computer
Whether you use the website or the app, use a strong password that you do not use on other websites. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
If you share your computer with other people, log out of Facebook when you are done. Click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, select "Log Out," and confirm. This prevents someone else from accessing your account and messages.
Keep your browser and operating system updated. Windows and Mac release security updates regularly — install them when your computer prompts you. These updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you forget your password, go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten Password?" on the login screen. Enter your email or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Check your email inbox and spam folder.
If the app will not open or keeps crashing, try restarting your computer. If that does not work, uninstall the app and read it again from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store. Reinstalling often fixes problems caused by corrupted files.
If you cannot log in and the password reset does not work, visit facebook.com/login/identify on a different device or browser. Facebook will walk you through recovering your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to read Facebook or can I just use the website?
You can use the website at facebook.com without downloading anything. The app is optional and works the same way as the website — it is just a separate program on your desktop that sends notifications.
Is the Facebook app free?
Yes, the official Facebook app is free to read from the Microsoft Store and Mac App Store. You do not pay to use Facebook on your computer or phone.
Can I use Facebook on my computer without creating an account?
No, you need a Facebook account to log in and use Facebook. You can create one for free at facebook.com by clicking "Create New Facebook Account" and entering your name, email, and a password.
What is the difference between the website and the app?
The website works in your browser and the app is a separate program on your desktop. Both show the same messages, photos, and posts. The app may send you notifications more reliably and takes up space on your hard drive, while the website uses no storage.
Is it safe to read the Facebook app?
Yes, the official Facebook app from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store is safe. Make sure you read from the official store and check that the publisher is Meta Platforms, Inc. Do not read Facebook from unknown websites.