The steps to change your email on Facebook

Open Facebook and go to the settings menu in the top right corner. Click the downward arrow, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You will see your email address listed there. Click Edit next to the email field.

Type your new email address into the box. Facebook will send a confirmation link to both your old email and your new email. Check your new email inbox for a message from Facebook. Click the confirmation link in that email. Once you confirm, your email address changes immediately.

If you do not see the confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Some email providers filter Facebook messages automatically. If the link expires before you use it, go back to your Facebook settings and request a new confirmation email.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the email change option through Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information on the left menu.
  • Facebook sends confirmation links to both your old and new email addresses, and you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.
  • The change takes effect immediately after you confirm, but your old email remains tied to your account for a short period in case you need to undo it.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use a recovery phone number or other recovery methods instead of the email confirmation.

What happens to your old email address

Your old email address does not disappear from Facebook right away. For a short time after you change it, Facebook keeps your old email on file as a recovery option. This means if you change your mind or made a mistake, you can switch back without losing access to your account.

After several days, your old email is removed from your account entirely. At that point, someone else could use that email address to create a new Facebook account or to recover a different account. This is normal and does not affect your account security.

Changing your email if you cannot access the old one

If you no longer have access to the email address currently on your Facebook account, you cannot use the standard confirmation method. Instead, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information. Click Edit next to your email. Facebook will ask you to confirm your identity.

You can confirm your identity using a phone number on file, a recovery email address you set up previously, or by answering security questions. Once Facebook verifies who you are, you can enter your new email address without needing to confirm it through your old email. This process takes longer than the standard method and may take a few hours to complete.

Adding a backup email to your account

Facebook lets you add more than one email address to your account. This is useful if you want to keep your old email connected while adding a new one, or if you want a backup way to recover your account. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information. Next to your email field, click Add email.

Type in the additional email address. Facebook will send a confirmation link to that email. Click the link to confirm it. You can now use either email address to log in to Facebook. Only one email can be your primary email — that is the one Facebook uses to send you notifications and password reset links — but you can switch which one is primary anytime from the same Personal information page.

Troubleshooting email change problems

If Facebook says your new email is already in use, that email address is attached 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, or remove the email from that account. If the email belongs to someone else, choose a different email address.

If you do not receive the confirmation email after 10 minutes, check your spam folder first. Then go back to your Facebook settings and request a new confirmation email. If you still do not receive it, the email address you entered may be incorrect — go back and check for typos. If the problem continues, try using a different email address instead.

Changing your email on mobile devices

The process is the same on Facebook's mobile app as on a computer. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Personal information. Tap Email, then Edit. Enter your new email and follow the confirmation steps the same way you would on a computer.

If you use Facebook through a mobile web browser instead of the app, the steps are identical to the computer version. The confirmation email works the same way on mobile — tap the link in the email to confirm your new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email without confirming it through my old email?

Only if you cannot access your old email. In that case, Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, recovery email, or security questions. If you can access your old email, Facebook requires you to confirm through it for security reasons.

Will changing my email affect my Facebook password?

No. Your password stays the same. You can still log in with your old email and password until the change is complete. After you confirm the new email, you can log in using either the new email or your password.

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 happens immediately. If you use the identity verification method instead of email confirmation, it may take a few hours for Facebook to process the change.

Can I use a work email or school email instead of a personal one?

Yes. Facebook accepts any email address that can receive messages. Work emails, school emails, and personal emails all work the same way. Just make sure you have access to whichever email you choose, because you will need it to recover your account if you forget your password.

What if I want to change my email back to the old one?

You can change it back anytime using the same process. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, and click Edit next to your email. Enter your old email address and confirm it. Facebook treats it like any other email change.