The basic steps to set up a Facebook account

Creating a Facebook account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number, your name, and a password you choose. Go to facebook.com on any web browser or open the Facebook app on your phone, then look for the option to create a new account — it is usually a button labeled "Create New Facebook Account" on the login page.

Facebook will ask you to enter your real first and last name, the email address or phone number you want to use, your birth date, and your gender. After you fill in these fields and create a password, Facebook sends a confirmation code to your email or phone. You enter that code back into Facebook to prove you own the email or phone number, and your account is active.

Once your account is confirmed, you can start adding a profile picture, writing a bio, and searching for friends. None of these steps are required to use Facebook — you can skip them and come back to them later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a working email address or phone number, your real name, a birth date, and a password to create an account.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation code to your email or phone to verify you own it — check your spam folder if you do not see it.
  • Your account is ready to use as soon as you confirm the code, even if you have not added a photo or filled out your profile yet.
  • You can create a new account on facebook.com using a web browser or through the Facebook mobile app.
  • If you already have a Facebook account and want a second one, you will need a different email address or phone number for each account.

What information Facebook requires and why

Facebook requires your real name because the platform is built around connecting people to their actual friends and family. If you use a fake name, Facebook may disable your account if someone reports it. Your birth date is required partly to verify your age — Facebook does not allow accounts for anyone under 13 — and partly because it helps Facebook show you age-appropriate content and ads.

The email address or phone number is how Facebook contacts you if you forget your password or if the company suspects someone else is using your account. This is also the login method you will use every time you open Facebook, so choose something you will remember or have straightforward access to. If you use a phone number, make sure it is one you still have access to — if you change phone carriers or lose that number, you may have trouble getting back into your account later.

Choosing a strong password

Your password is the only thing standing between someone else and your account, so it should be something only you know. A strong password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid using your birth date, your name, or words from a dictionary — these are the first things someone will try if they want to break in.

Write your password down somewhere safe, like a notebook you keep at home, or use a password manager — a program that stores passwords for you and fills them in automatically. Do not share your password with anyone, including friends, family, or Facebook staff. Facebook employees will never ask you for your password.

Confirming your email or phone number

After you create your account, Facebook sends a confirmation code to the email address or phone number you provided. If you gave an email address, check your inbox for a message from Facebook. If you gave a phone number, you will receive a text message with a code. Open the Facebook app or website and enter this code into the box that appears — this proves you own the email or phone number and completes your account setup.

If you do not see the confirmation code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers mistake Facebook messages for spam. If it is still not there, go back to the account creation page and ask Facebook to send the code again, or choose a different email address or phone number. You can only use each email address or phone number for one Facebook account.

Setting up your profile after account creation

Once your account is confirmed, Facebook shows you a series of prompts to add a profile picture, write a bio, and find friends. You do not have to do any of this right away — you can skip these steps and come back to them whenever you want. Many people add a profile picture first because it makes their account look more real to other people and helps friends recognize them.

To add a profile picture, click on the silhouette icon in the top right corner of Facebook (on a phone) or top left (on a computer), then select "Profile." Look for the camera icon over the blank profile picture and click it to upload a photo from your device or take a new one with your camera. You can change your profile picture anytime by clicking on it and selecting a new photo.

Creating a second Facebook account

If you already have a Facebook account and want to create another one, you will need a different email address or phone number for the second account. Facebook does not allow one email or phone number to be linked to multiple accounts. You can use a second email address you already own, create a new free email address through Gmail or Outlook, or use a different phone number if you have one.

The process is exactly the same as creating your first account — go to facebook.com, click "Create New Facebook Account," and fill in the information for the new account using the different email or phone number. You can log out of one account and log into the other by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Log Out," then logging in with the other account's email and password.

Troubleshooting common problems during account creation

If Facebook tells you the email address or phone number is already in use, it means that address is linked to another account. If it is your own old account that you forgot about, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page to get back into it instead of creating a new one. If you genuinely cannot remember the password or access the email, you may be able to recover the account by answering security questions or uploading an ID — Facebook will guide you through this process.

If Facebook rejects your name as "fake," try entering it exactly as it appears on your ID or official documents. Some names with special characters, accents, or non-Latin letters can cause problems — if this happens, contact Facebook's support team through the help menu in your account settings. If you cannot create an account because you are under 13, you will need to wait until your birthday to try again — Facebook's age requirement is enforced by the platform and cannot be bypassed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name on Facebook?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life, which is usually your real name. If you use a nickname or a name different from your legal name, Facebook may ask you to provide ID to prove it is the name people actually call you. Using a completely fake name risks your account being disabled.

What happens if I forget my password?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Facebook will send a reset link to your email address or a code to your phone number. Click the link or enter the code, then create a new password. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, you can answer security questions or upload an ID to regain access.

Can I create a Facebook account without an email address?

No, you need either an email address or a phone number to create an account. If you do not have an email address, you can create a free one through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo in about two minutes, then use it to set up Facebook. A phone number works just as well if you prefer that method.

How old do I have to be to have a Facebook account?

Facebook requires you to be at least 13 years old. You enter your birth date during account creation, and Facebook uses this to enforce the age limit. If you are under 13, you cannot create an account until your 13th birthday.

Is it safe to use my real phone number for Facebook?

Using your real phone number is generally safe because Facebook keeps it private — other users cannot see your phone number unless you choose to share it. Your phone number is mainly used by Facebook to send you security codes and help you recover your account if you forget your password.