How to change your email on Facebook
You can change the email address on your Facebook account in your settings at any time. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to log out or create a new account. Facebook will send a confirmation message to your new email address before the change takes effect.
You need access to both your current email and the new email you want to use. If you no longer have access to your current email, the process is more complicated — Facebook will ask you to verify your identity through other means, like a phone number or ID document.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to find your email address in Facebook.
- Click next to your email address and type your new email, then click Change Email.
- Facebook sends a confirmation link to your new email — you must click it within a set time to complete the change.
- If you cannot access your old email, Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, security questions, or a photo ID.
- Your password does not change when you change your email, but you can use either your old or new email to log in during the transition period.
Step-by-step: changing your email in Facebook settings
Start by logging into Facebook on a computer or the mobile app. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, and tap Settings.
Once you are in Settings, look for the Personal Information section on the left side (computer) or scroll down to find it (mobile app). Click or tap Personal Information. You will see your email address listed there. Click or tap the pencil icon or Edit button next to your email.
Delete your current email address and type your new one. Double-check that you typed it correctly — a typo means the confirmation will go to the wrong place. Click Change Email or the checkmark to save.
Confirming your new email address
Facebook will immediately send a confirmation message to the new email address you entered. Check your inbox (and spam folder, just in case) for an email from Facebook. The email will contain a link or a code you need to use to confirm the change.
Click the confirmation link in the email, or go back to Facebook and enter the code if Facebook asks for one. This step must be completed within a certain time frame — usually within a few days. If you do not confirm, your email address will not change and you will still log in with your old email.
Once you confirm, your new email is now the primary email on your account. You can log in using either your old email or your new email for a short transition period, after which only the new email will work.
What to do if you cannot access your old email
If you no longer have access to the email address currently on your account, you cannot receive the confirmation message. Facebook will not let you change your email without confirming the new one, so you need to prove you own the account another way.
Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using one of these methods: a phone number you added to your account, answers to security questions you set up, or a photo of a government ID. The process varies depending on what information Facebook has on file for you. You may need to wait a few days for Facebook to review your identity proof.
If you set up a phone number on your account, that is usually the fastest route. Go to Settings, Personal Information, and look for the Phone section. If a phone number is listed there, you can use it to verify your identity and proceed with changing your email.
Changing your email on the Facebook mobile app
The mobile app process is nearly identical to the computer version, just with different navigation. Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down, and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Personal Information and tap it.
Tap the email address field, then tap Edit. Delete the old email and type the new one. Tap Done or the checkmark. Facebook will send a confirmation to your new email just as it does on a computer. Tap the link in that email to finish.
Troubleshooting: common problems when changing your email
If you typed your new email wrong, you will not receive the confirmation message. Go back to Settings, Personal Information, and try again with the correct spelling. You can change it as many times as you need before confirming.
If the confirmation email does not arrive within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch messages from Facebook. If it is not there, wait a few more minutes and check again. If you still do not see it after an hour, go back to Settings and request a new confirmation email.
If Facebook says your new email is already in use, that email address is already connected to another Facebook account. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. You will need to choose a different email address, or if that email belongs to you, remove it from the other account first.
What happens to your password and login after you change your email
Your password does not change when you change your email. You log in the same way you always have, except now you can use your new email address instead of your old one. During the transition period (usually a few days), Facebook lets you log in with either email address.
After the transition period ends, only your new email will work to log in. If you forget your password, you can still use the "Forgot Password" link and Facebook will send a reset link to your new email address. Make sure you have access to your new email going forward, or you may have trouble recovering your account if you forget your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email if I do not remember my password?
Yes. You do not need your password to change your email — you only need to be logged into your account. If you are already logged in, you can change your email without entering your password. If you are logged out and cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it first.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
Once you click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends you, the change is usually instant. However, it can take a few minutes for the new email to show up in all parts of your account. If you try to log in immediately after confirming, use your new email address.
What if I change my mind after confirming my new email?
You can change it back anytime. Just go to Settings, Personal Information, and repeat the process with your old email address. Facebook will send a confirmation to that email, and once you confirm it, you are back to using your original email.
Will changing my email affect my Facebook friends or messages?
No. Your friends will not see any change, and your messages will stay the same. Only you will notice that your login email is different. Your profile, photos, and all your account data remain exactly as they were.
Can I use a work email or school email instead of a personal email?
Yes, you can use any email address you have access to. Just make sure it is an email you will still have access to in the future — if your work email gets deleted when you leave a job, you may lose access to your Facebook account unless you change it again before that happens.