Change your password from Facebook's settings menu
To change your Facebook password, go to the Settings & Privacy menu, select Settings, then find the Password section under Security. Click Edit, enter your current password, type your new password twice, and click Save Changes. The whole process takes about two minutes.
Facebook will ask you to confirm your current password before letting you set a new one. This is a security check — it means someone who has access to your account but not your email can't lock you out by changing the password remotely.
After you save, Facebook logs you out of all other devices and browsers where you were signed in. You'll need to sign back in with your new password on each device. This happens automatically on the device you used to make the change.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your password anytime from Settings & Privacy > Settings > Password, and the change takes effect immediately.
- Facebook requires your current password before accepting a new one, which protects your account if someone else gains access.
- After you change your password, you are logged out everywhere except the device you used to make the change.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it using your email or phone number.
- A strong password includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not be a word from the dictionary.
Where to find the password settings on different devices
On a computer or laptop, log into Facebook, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Security and Login, and you'll see the Password option with an Edit button next to it.
On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then scroll to Security and Login. The Password option appears in the same place as on desktop.
If you're using Facebook through a web browser on your phone instead of the app, the steps are the same as on a computer — just tap the menu icon instead of looking for a corner button.
What makes a strong password Facebook will accept
Facebook requires passwords to be at least six characters long, but a strong password is much longer. Aim for at least 12 characters that mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or words that appear in the dictionary.
Do not reuse a password you've used on other websites or accounts. If one site gets hacked, attackers will try that same password on Facebook, Gmail, banking sites, and everywhere else. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the one built into your phone can store unique passwords so you don't have to remember them.
Facebook will reject a password if it's too similar to one you've used recently on the same account. This is to prevent you from cycling through a few passwords and ending up back where you started.
How to reset your password if you forget it
If you can't remember your current password, go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgot Password?" below the password field. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in the email or text message, and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password.
The reset link usually works for 24 hours. If it expires, go back to the login page and request a new one. You don't need to know your old password to reset it this way — you only need access to the email address or phone number connected to your account.
If you can't access the email or phone number on your account, Facebook has a recovery process. Click "No longer have access to these?" on the password reset page, and follow the steps to verify your identity using other information associated with your account.
Why Facebook logs you out after a password change
When you change your password, Facebook automatically signs you out of every browser, app, and device where you were logged in. This is a security feature. If someone else had access to your account, logging them out everywhere stops them from seeing your messages, photos, or personal information.
The device you used to change the password stays logged in so you don't have to sign back in immediately. On all other devices, you'll see a login screen the next time you try to use Facebook. Just enter your email or phone number and your new password.
If you see a device or location in the list of active sessions that you don't recognize, you can log out of just that session without changing your password. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In, find the device, and click "Log Out."
Checking which devices have access to your account
After you change your password, you can see which devices are still logged in by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In. This list shows every browser, app, and device currently signed into your account, along with the location and the last time it was active.
If you see a device you don't recognize or no longer use, click on it and select "Log Out." You can also log out of all devices at once by clicking "Log Out of All Sessions" at the bottom of the page, though this will sign you out everywhere including the device you're using right now.
Check this list regularly, especially after changing your password or if you think someone else might have had access to your account. Removing old devices you no longer use keeps your account more secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my password if I think someone else accessed my account?
Yes, change your password immediately, then go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In and log out of any devices you don't recognize. If you see posts or messages you didn't make, report them to Facebook and consider changing the password on any other accounts that use the same or similar password.
Will changing my password affect my saved login information on my phone or computer?
Your phone or computer will ask you to sign in again with your new password the next time you open Facebook. Once you enter it, the device will ask if you want to save the new password, and you can choose yes or no. This doesn't affect passwords saved in other apps or browsers.
Can I change my password without using email or a phone number?
No, you need either the email address or phone number connected to your account to change your password. If you don't have access to either, use the account recovery process on the password reset page to verify your identity another way.
How often should I change my Facebook password?
There's no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable for most people. Change it sooner if you use the same password elsewhere, if you think someone accessed your account, or if you haven't changed it in several years.