Change your email in account settings

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. You will see your current email listed under the contact information section.

Click the pencil icon next to your email address. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type your new email in the field that appears, then click Change email. Facebook sends a confirmation link to the new email address you entered.

Check the inbox of your new email account for a message from Facebook. Open the email and click the confirmation link. Your email address is now updated on your account. If you do not see the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder.

Key Takeaways

  • You must confirm your new email address by clicking a link Facebook sends to that address before the change takes effect.
  • Facebook requires your password before allowing you to change your email, so have it ready.
  • The confirmation email may arrive in your spam folder, so check there if you do not see it in your inbox within a few minutes.
  • You can use either an email address or a phone number as your login method after the change is complete.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to use account recovery options instead of the standard email change process.

What happens to your old email address

Once you confirm your new email, your old email address is no longer connected to your Facebook account. You can use that old email to create a new Facebook account if you want, or leave it unused.

Facebook keeps a record that the old email was once associated with your account, but only you and Facebook can see this. Other people on Facebook cannot see your email address at all — it is private information used only for account recovery and login.

If you cannot access your old email

If your old email no longer works or you do not have access to it, you cannot use the standard email change process because Facebook will not be able to send you the confirmation link. Instead, use Facebook's account recovery tool.

Go to facebook.com/login/identify and enter your name or phone number. Facebook will show you accounts that match and ask you to confirm your identity. You can verify who you are by answering security questions, uploading a photo ID, or confirming trusted contacts. Once Facebook confirms your identity, you can set a new email address without needing access to the old one.

Using a phone number instead of email

Facebook allows you to log in using either your email address or a phone number. If you want to add a phone number as a login option, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and look for the phone number field. Click the pencil icon and enter your phone number.

Some people prefer to use their phone number for login and keep their email private. You can have both on file — Facebook will let you log in with either one. If you later decide to remove your email entirely, you must have a phone number set up first, because you need at least one way to log in to your account.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed change

If you clicked Change email but never received a confirmation email, wait at least 15 minutes before trying again. Check your spam folder and any other email folders you use. If the email still does not arrive, try the process again from the beginning.

If Facebook shows an error message saying the email is already in use, that email address is connected to another Facebook account. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. If the email belongs to you, log into that other account and change its email first, then try again on your main account.

If you are locked out of your account and cannot reach the email you used to sign up, use the account recovery process described above. Facebook's recovery tool can help you regain access even if you have lost your email.

Keeping your account secure after changing email

After you change your email, review your login activity to make sure no one else accessed your account. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Security and login and scroll to Where you are logged in. You will see a list of devices and locations that have accessed your account recently. If you see anything unfamiliar, click it and select Log out.

Consider turning on Login alerts in the same section. This tells Facebook to notify you whenever someone logs into your account from a new device or location. You can also set up two-factor authentication, which requires a code from your phone in addition to your password when you log in from an unfamiliar device.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the email change to go through?

The change is instant once you click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends you. If you do not confirm within a certain time, the request expires and you will need to start over. Most confirmation links work for several days, but Facebook does not publish the exact timeframe.

Can I change my email on the Facebook mobile app?

Yes, the process is the same on mobile. Open the menu (three lines at the bottom right), tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Personal information and tap the pencil icon next to your email. Enter your new email and password, then confirm the link sent to your new address.

What if I want to use a different email but keep my old one active?

Facebook only allows one primary email per account. When you change your email, the old one is removed. However, you can add a secondary email by going to Personal information and looking for an option to add contact information. Some accounts allow multiple emails, though only one serves as your login email.

Will changing my email affect my Facebook Messenger or other connected apps?

No. Your email change only affects how you log into Facebook. Messenger, Instagram, and other apps connected to your Facebook account will continue to work normally. You do not need to update anything in those apps.

Can I change my email back to the old one later?

Yes. You can change your email as many times as you want by following the same process. If your old email is no longer in use by another account, you can switch back to it whenever you choose.