You cannot find your existing Facebook password, but you can reset it in minutes
Facebook does not store your password in a way that lets you look it up. Once you create a password, Facebook keeps only an encrypted version — the company itself cannot see what you typed. This is actually a security feature: if Facebook's systems were hacked, your password would still be protected.
What you can do instead is reset your password, which creates a new one. This works whether you forgot the old one or straightforward want to change it. The reset process takes about five minutes and works from any device with internet access.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook cannot show you your old password because the company stores only an encrypted version, not the actual text you entered.
- You can reset your password on the Facebook login page by clicking "Forgot password?" and following the prompts to your email or phone number.
- The reset link works for 24 hours, so you should complete the process the same day you request it.
- If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, you will need to use Facebook's account recovery process, which takes longer.
How to reset your password from the login page
Start at facebook.com or open the Facebook app. On the login screen, look for the text "Forgot password?" below the password field and click it. Facebook will ask you to enter either the email address or phone number connected to your account.
Type in whichever one you have access to right now. Facebook will send a reset link to that email or a code to that phone number. Check your email inbox (or spam folder if you do not see it) or look for a text message. The link or code works for 24 hours.
Click the link in the email or enter the code in the app, then create a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something you can remember. Facebook will log you out of all devices once you save the new password, so you will need to log back in on your phone, computer, or tablet.
What to do if you cannot access your email or phone number
If the email address or phone number on your account no longer works — because you changed providers, lost the phone, or no longer use that email — Facebook has a longer recovery process. On the "Forgot password?" page, after you enter an email or phone that does not work, Facebook will offer you the option to "No longer have access to these?"
Click that option. Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of your ID and answer security questions about your account, like which email addresses you have used or which friends you added first. This process can take several days because Facebook reviews the information manually.
Once Facebook confirms your identity, you will be able to set a new password. This route is slower but works even if you have completely lost access to the original contact information.
Resetting your password on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen. The process is the same as on a computer: enter your email or phone number, check for the reset link or code, and create a new password.
If you are already logged into Facebook on your phone but forgot your password, you do not need to reset it to keep using the app. You only need a new password if you log out or if you want to log in on a different device.
Why Facebook does not show your old password
When you create a password, Facebook runs it through a mathematical process called hashing that turns it into a long string of characters. Facebook stores that string, not your actual password. Even if someone broke into Facebook's computers, they would see only the hashed versions, not the real passwords.
This means Facebook employees cannot look up your password, and neither can you. It also means that if you forget your password, there is no way to recover the old one — you have to create a new one. This is standard practice across most websites and apps, not something unique to Facebook.
Keeping your new password find
Once you reset your password, write it down somewhere safe or use a password manager — a tool that stores passwords encrypted on your device or in the cloud. Do not use the same password for Facebook that you use for email, banking, or other important accounts. If one site gets hacked, a unique password keeps the others safe.
If you think someone else knows your password or has access to your account, reset it when ready and then check your login activity. In Facebook settings, go to Security and Login, scroll to "Where you are logged in," and log out of any sessions you do not recognize.
What happens after you reset your password
Facebook will sign you out of the app and website on all devices. You will need to log back in on your phone, computer, or tablet using your new password. This is a security measure: if someone else had your old password, they will no longer be able to access your account.
Your account itself does not change. Your friends, messages, photos, and settings stay exactly as they were. Only the password changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my password if I am already logged in?
No. Even when you are logged in, Facebook does not show you your password anywhere in settings. The password field in your security settings only lets you change your password, not view the old one.
How long does the password reset link stay active?
The reset link works for 24 hours. If you do not click it within that time, you will need to request a new one. This time limit is a security feature that prevents someone else from using an old link if they find it.
What if I reset my password but still cannot log in?
Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you still cannot log in after trying several times, wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues, use the "Forgot password?" option again to reset it once more.
Will resetting my password delete my account or my messages?
No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in. Your account, friends, messages, photos, and all other data remain unchanged. You will straightforward need to log back in with the new password.
Can I use the same password I used before?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If your old password was compromised or if you forgot it because someone else was using your account, creating a completely new password is safer. Choose something different from any password you have used on Facebook before.