Change Your Email Through Facebook Settings
To change the email Facebook has on file for your account, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, select Personal Information. Under Email, you will see the email address currently linked to your account. Click next to it to edit.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type your current password, then enter the new email address you want to use. Facebook sends a confirmation link to that new email address — you must click the link within a set time to complete the change. Until you confirm, your old email remains active on the account.
The confirmation email may take a few minutes to arrive. Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it in your inbox. Once you click the link in the confirmation email, the new address becomes your primary email for the account.
Key Takeaways
- You change your email in Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information under the Email section.
- Facebook requires your password before allowing any email change for security reasons.
- A confirmation link is sent to your new email address, and you must click it to complete the change.
- Your old email stays active until you confirm the new one, so you can still receive messages at the old address during the process.
- If the confirmation email does not arrive within a few minutes, check your spam folder or request a new confirmation link.
What Happens to Your Old Email Address
Once you confirm your new email, the old one is removed as your primary contact address. However, Facebook may still have a record of it in your account history. You can add your old email back as a secondary email if you want to keep it linked to your account for recovery purposes.
If you no longer have access to your old email account, you can still change your primary email without it. You only need access to the new email address to confirm the change. The old address does not need to be active or monitored.
If You Cannot Access Your Confirmation Email
If the confirmation link does not arrive, first check your spam, junk, and promotions folders. Email providers sometimes filter Facebook messages into these sections. Wait at least five minutes before assuming the email did not send.
If you still do not see it, go back to Settings and Personal Information and try entering the new email address again. Facebook will send another confirmation link. If you do not have access to the new email address you entered, you will need to use a different email address that you can actually check.
If you cannot access any email address linked to your account, you may need to use Facebook's account recovery process. This typically involves answering security questions or providing a phone number associated with your account.
Adding a Secondary Email Address
Facebook allows you to add more than one email address to your account. A secondary email can be used to log in and receive notifications, but only one email is marked as primary. To add a secondary email, go to Settings and Personal Information, then click Add Email under the Email section.
Enter the new email address and confirm it the same way you would for a primary email change. You can have up to four email addresses on one Facebook account. Secondary emails are useful if you want to keep an old email linked for recovery purposes or if you use multiple email accounts.
Removing an Email Address From Your Account
If you have multiple emails on your account and want to remove one, go to Settings and Personal Information. Find the email you want to remove and click the X or delete option next to it. You cannot remove your primary email unless you first set a different email as primary.
Once removed, that email address can no longer be used to log into your account. If you think you might need it later, consider keeping it as a secondary email instead of deleting it entirely.
Changing Email on Mobile Devices
The process on Facebook's mobile app is similar to the desktop version. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap Email. Enter your password and follow the same confirmation steps as on a computer.
The confirmation email still goes to your new email address, and you still need to click the link to complete the change. Make sure you have access to the new email on a device or computer before you start the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
Once you click the confirmation link in the email Facebook sends, the change is usually instant. The confirmation email itself may take a few minutes to arrive. If you do not see it within 10 minutes, request a new confirmation link from the Settings page.
Can I change my email if I do not remember my password?
No, Facebook requires your current password to change your email for security. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page. Facebook will send a password reset link to your current email address, or you can use your phone number if you have one on file.
What if someone else has access to my email account?
Change your email password immediately, then change your Facebook email to a different address you control. If you think your Facebook account itself has been compromised, change your Facebook password as well. You can also review active sessions in Settings to see where your account is being accessed from.
Can I use the same email for multiple Facebook accounts?
No, each email address can only be linked to one Facebook account. If you try to add an email that is already in use, Facebook will not allow it. You must use a different email for each account you create.
Will changing my email affect my Facebook friends or messages?
No, changing your email does not affect your friends list, messages, photos, or any other content on your account. Only the email address Facebook uses to contact you and let you log in will change. Your friends will not be notified of the change.