Change your password from your account settings

To change your Facebook password, go to the Settings & Privacy menu, select Settings, then find the Password option under Security. Click Edit, enter your current password, type your new password twice, and click Save Changes. The whole process takes about two minutes and logs you out of all other devices once it's complete.

Facebook will send you a confirmation email to the address on your account. Check that email to make sure the change went through. If you don't see it within a few minutes, check your spam folder — sometimes confirmation emails land there by mistake.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password anytime from Settings & Privacy > Settings > Password, and you'll need your current password to do it.
  • Your new password should be at least six characters long and different from passwords you use on other sites.
  • Changing your password logs you out everywhere, so you'll need to sign back in on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  • If you forget your current password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen instead of trying to change it from settings.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation email after you change your password, so check your inbox to verify the change went through.

Step-by-step walkthrough on desktop

Open Facebook and look for the downward-facing arrow or menu icon in the top right corner of the screen. Click it and select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, you'll see a menu — scroll down until you find Security and Login. Click that section to expand it.

Under Security and Login, find the line that says Password. To the right of it, click Edit. Facebook will ask you to enter your current password for security reasons — type it in and click Continue. Now type your new password in the first blank, then type it again in the second blank to confirm you didn't make a typo. Click Save Changes and you're done.

Step-by-step walkthrough on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Security and Login and tap it. Find Password in that section and tap Edit next to it.

Enter your current password when Facebook asks for it, then tap Continue. Type your new password in the first field and again in the second field. Tap Save Changes. You'll be logged out of the app, so you'll need to sign back in with your new password.

What happens after you change your password

Facebook automatically logs you out of every device and browser where you were signed in. This includes your phone, tablet, computer, and any other place you use Facebook. You'll need to sign back in with your new password on each device. This is a security feature — it makes sure that if someone else had access to your account, they can't use it anymore.

The logout happens right away, but it can take a few minutes to take effect on all your devices. If you're still signed in somewhere after ten minutes, try closing and reopening the app or browser. You should see a login screen asking for your password.

Creating a strong password Facebook will accept

Facebook requires passwords to be at least six characters long, but longer is better. A strong password mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueMoon#42River" is stronger than "password123." Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or anything else someone could guess if they know you.

Don't reuse a password from another site. If that other site gets hacked, someone could try your password on Facebook. Use a different password for each important account — your email, banking, social media, and work accounts should all be different. If you have trouble remembering multiple passwords, consider using a password manager, which is a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you.

If you can't remember your current password

You can't change your password from settings if you don't know your current one. Instead, go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten 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 that email and create a new password.

The reset link usually arrives within a few minutes. If you don't see it, check your spam folder. If you still can't find it after ten minutes, try the process again — sometimes the email system delays messages. Once you've reset your password this way, you can change it again anytime using the steps above.

Keeping your account secure after changing your password

Changing your password is one part of account security, but there are other steps worth taking. Turn on two-factor authentication, which requires a code from your phone in addition to your password when you sign in from a new device. You can set this up in Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication.

Check the "Where You're Logged In" section in your security settings to see all the devices and browsers signed into your account. If you see a device you don't recognize, click it and select "Log Out." Review this list every few months to catch unauthorized access early. If you think someone has hacked your account, change your password immediately and turn on two-factor authentication right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No. Changing your password only changes how you sign in. All your photos, messages, friends, and posts stay exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is that you'll be logged out everywhere and need to sign back in.

Can I change my password on someone else's computer?

Yes, but it's not recommended. If you change your password on a shared or public computer, make sure to log out completely when you're done. Better yet, change your password on a device only you use. If you did change it on a shared computer, consider changing it again from your personal device to be safe.

How often should I change my password?

There's no set rule, but changing it every few months is reasonable. Change it sooner if you think someone might have seen it, if you used the same password on another site that got hacked, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. You don't need to change it constantly — that can actually make you more likely to forget it or reuse old passwords.

What if I change my password but still can't sign in?

Make sure you're typing your new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password." If you're sure you're typing it right, try resetting your password again using the "Forgotten password?" link. If that doesn't work, Facebook may have temporarily locked your account for security reasons, and you may need to wait a few hours before trying again.

Does changing my password affect my Instagram or other Meta accounts?

No. Facebook and Instagram have separate passwords. If you want to change your Instagram password, you'll need to do that in Instagram's settings. However, if you use the same password on both sites, changing one won't change the other.