The fastest way to access Facebook
Go to facebook.com in your web browser or open the Facebook app on your phone. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your account, then your password. If you remember both, you are in — Facebook takes you to your feed.
If you are already logged in on a device, you may not need to do this at all. Your phone or computer may stay signed in automatically, and you will see your feed the moment you open the app or website.
The confusion usually starts when one of three things happens: you forgot your password, you cannot remember which email you used, or Facebook is asking for extra verification because it does not recognize your device or location.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook stores your account under the email address or phone number you signed up with, so you need that exact address or number to log back in.
- If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen to reset it through your email or phone.
- If Facebook asks for a code when you log in from a new device, check your email or text messages for a six-digit number and enter it on the screen.
- If you cannot remember which email you used, try every email address you have owned — Facebook will tell you if an account exists under that address.
When you forgot your password
On the Facebook login page, click or tap "Forgot Password?" below the password box. Facebook will ask you to enter the email address or phone number tied to your account. Type it in and click "Search" or "Next".
Facebook will then show you options to reset your password. The most common route is "Send Code via Email" — Facebook emails you a link you click to create a new password. Check your email inbox (and spam folder, in case it landed there) for a message from Facebook. The link usually works for a few hours.
If you do not have access to that email anymore, Facebook offers other routes: you can receive a code by text message if you added a phone number to your account, or you can answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Pick whichever one you can actually complete.
When Facebook asks for a security code
If you log in from a new device, a new location, or after a long time away, Facebook may ask "Where are you logging in from?" or request a six-digit code. This is Facebook trying to make sure it is actually you, not someone else using your password.
Check your email inbox or text messages for a code from Facebook. It is usually a six-digit number. Enter it on the screen where Facebook asked for it. After you do, Facebook remembers that device and usually will not ask again the next time you log in from there.
If you do not see a code in your email or texts within a few minutes, ask Facebook to send it again — there is usually a "Resend Code" or "Send Code Again" button on the same screen.
When you cannot remember your email address
If you created your Facebook account years ago and forgot which email you used, try logging in with every email address you have ever owned. Go to facebook.com, enter an old email in the login box, and click "Log In". Facebook will tell you right away if an account exists under that address — either by letting you in or by asking for your password.
If Facebook says "We could not find the account associated with this email," that email is not connected to an account. Try the next one. Most people used their main email at the time they signed up, so start with whichever email you used most often five to ten years ago.
If you have tried every email and none of them work, you may have signed up with a phone number instead. Try entering your phone number in the login box the same way you would enter an email.
When you are locked out or cannot reset your password
If you have tried to reset your password but the email never arrives, or if Facebook keeps rejecting your reset attempts, your account may have a security issue. Facebook sometimes locks accounts temporarily if it detects unusual activity.
Go to facebook.com/login/identify — this is Facebook's account recovery page. Enter the email or phone number for your account. Facebook will walk you through steps to confirm you own the account, which may include identifying photos you posted, confirming friends, or answering security questions. After you prove ownership, you can set a new password.
This process can take a few minutes to an hour. Facebook is slower here on purpose — it is making sure someone with bad intentions cannot take over your account.
Staying logged in across devices
Once you log in on a device, Facebook usually keeps you logged in. You do not have to enter your password every time you open the app or website. If you want to stay logged in on multiple devices — your phone, tablet, and computer — log in on each one once, and Facebook will remember you on all of them.
If you share a device with someone else and do not want them to see your account, log out before you hand it over. On the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap "Log Out". On the website, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Log Out".
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not remember my password and cannot access my email?
Use Facebook's account recovery page at facebook.com/login/identify. You can prove you own the account by identifying photos you posted, confirming friends, or answering security questions you set up. This takes longer than a password reset but does not require email access.
Can I log in with my phone number instead of my email?
Yes, if you added a phone number to your account when you created it or later. Enter your phone number on the login screen the same way you would enter an email. If Facebook does not recognize it, you may have signed up with email only.
Why does Facebook keep asking me for a code?
Facebook asks for a code when you log in from a new device, a new location, or after a long time away. It is a security check. Once you enter the code, Facebook usually remembers that device and will not ask again for a while.
What if someone else knows my password?
Change your password when ready by going to facebook.com, logging in, clicking your profile picture, selecting "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings," then "Password" under the Security section. You can also log out of all devices at once on that same page to force anyone else to log in again.