How To Change Your Facebook Password

Let’s face it – your Facebook account is probably connected to more parts of your online life than you realize. From photo memories to messenger conversations to numerous apps and websites you’ve logged into with your Facebook credentials, that password is protecting a lot of personal data.

Whether you’ve spotted some strange activity on your account, received a security alert, or just haven’t updated your password since 2017 (no judgment here), changing your Facebook password is a smart move that only takes a minute.

I’ve put together this straightforward guide to walk you through the process on any device – whether you’re already logged in or locked out of your account. Let’s get your Facebook account locked down with a fresh, secure password.

How to Change Your Facebook Password on Different Devices

Desktop/Laptop (Windows, Mac)

Changing your password on your computer takes just a few clicks:

1. Click your profile picture in the top right corner
2. Select Settings & privacy
3. Click Settings
4. Select Password and security (or go to Accounts Center first, then Password and security)
5. Click Change password
6. Enter your current password
7. Type your new password twice
8. Click Save changes

Once you hit save, your new password applies immediately across all your devices.

iPhone and iPad

If you’re using the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Facebook app
2. Tap the Menu (three lines) in the bottom right
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy
4. Tap Settings
5. Tap Password and security (or Accounts Center first, then Password and security)
6. Tap Change password
7. Enter your current password
8. Type your new password twice
9. Tap Update password

Android Devices

The process on Android is nearly identical to iOS:

1. Open the Facebook app
2. Tap the Menu (three lines) in the top right
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy
4. Tap Settings
5. Tap Password and security (or Accounts Center first, then Password and security)
6. Tap Change password
7. Enter your current password
8. Type your new password twice
9. Tap Update password

Facebook Lite App

For those using Facebook Lite on older phones or with limited data:

The path is slightly different. Tap the Menu icon, scroll to Settings, tap Security, then select Change password. The process then mirrors the standard app experience.

Changing Facebook Password Through the Accounts Center

If you use multiple Meta products like Facebook and Instagram, the Accounts Center gives you a single place to manage your security settings.

You can find Accounts Center by going to Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center. From there, tap Password and security, select Facebook from your connected accounts, and choose Change password.

The beauty of using Accounts Center is that you can manage security across multiple Meta platforms at once, ensuring all your connected accounts stay equally protected.

How to Reset Your Forgotten Facebook Password

We’ve all been there – trying to log in and realizing you can’t remember which password you used. Don’t worry, getting back into your account is straightforward.

When you can’t log in, look for the Forgot password? link on the login page. Click it, then enter either your email, phone number, full name, or username. Facebook will then offer recovery options, usually sending a code to your email or phone.

Once you receive and enter the code, you’ll be able to create a new password and regain access to your account.

What if you no longer have access to the email or phone on your account? This makes things trickier, but not impossible. Visit facebook.com/login/identify, enter whatever account information you can remember, and look for the No longer have access to these? option. Facebook will walk you through alternative verification steps.

If you’re still having trouble, try these troubleshooting tips:

When recovery codes aren’t arriving, check your spam folders or try an alternate recovery method. If Facebook can’t find your account, try searching with different information like an old email or phone number. And sometimes, if you’ve made too many attempts, you might need to wait 24 hours before trying again.

Why You Should Regularly Update Your Facebook Password

Think of your Facebook password as the key to your digital home. Just like you might change your locks after losing a house key, updating your Facebook password helps keep your information secure.

You should definitely consider changing your password if you notice posts you didn’t create, friend requests you didn’t send, or login notification emails from unfamiliar locations. Even without these warning signs, refreshing your password every few months is simply good digital hygiene.

The strongest approach to password security includes changing your Facebook password regularly, never reusing it across different websites, and always logging out when using public computers. These simple habits dramatically reduce your risk of account compromise.

Setting Up Recovery Options to Prevent Future Lockouts

Once you’ve successfully accessed your account, take a few minutes to set up recovery options that will make any future password issues much easier to resolve.

Adding a secondary email address gives you a backup recovery option. Go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Contact info to add an alternative email.

Facebook also offers a trusted contacts feature, where you can designate friends who can help you regain access to your account. You’ll find this option under Security and login in your settings.

Adding a phone number is equally helpful, following similar steps to adding an email. With these recovery options in place, you’ll have multiple ways to verify your identity if you ever get locked out again.

Advanced Facebook Security Features

While updating your password is important, Facebook offers additional security tools worth enabling.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a special code whenever you (or anyone else) tries to log in from an unfamiliar device. Even if someone somehow got your password, they couldn’t access your account without this second verification step. Set this up through Security and login or Password and security in your settings.

You can also enable login alerts, which notify you when someone logs into your account from a device you haven’t used before. This early warning system can help you spot unauthorized access attempts immediately.

Facebook also offers a security checkup tool at that walks you through reviewing recent logins, strengthening your password, and enabling alerts.

Password Best Practices for Facebook

Creating a strong password doesn’t have to be complicated. The most secure passwords are actually phrases rather than single words. For example, something like “CoffeeShop$Reading2Books!” is both memorable for you and extremely difficult for hackers to crack.

Aim for at least 12 characters, mix uppercase and lowercase letters, include numbers and special characters, and avoid using personal information like birthdays or names.

Using a password manager can make handling complex passwords much easier. These tools generate and store strong passwords for you, so you don’t have to remember them all. Popular options include LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, and the password managers built into Chrome and iOS.

The biggest password mistakes to avoid are reusing the same password across multiple sites, sharing your password with others, writing it down in plain text, and keeping the same password for years on end.

What to Do If Your Facebook Account Gets Hacked

If you notice unfamiliar activity on your account, act quickly. Facebook has a dedicated recovery site at facebook.com/hacked specifically for compromised accounts.

After reporting the hack and regaining access, immediately change your password, review your recent account activity, and log out of all active sessions. Also check if any personal details like your email or phone number have been changed, and review which apps have permission to access your account.

To better protect yourself in the future, enable two-factor authentication and login alerts, use a unique password for Facebook, and be cautious about clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

Conclusion

Taking a few minutes to update your Facebook password and security settings today can save you from the headache of a compromised account tomorrow. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your digital life is well-protected is absolutely worth the small effort.

Remember to use a unique, complex password, enable additional security features like two-factor authentication, and keep your recovery options up to date. With these steps, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your Facebook account.

Securing your Facebook account doesn’t require technical expertise – just a few simple steps and good habits. By following this guide, you’ve taken important steps to protect your personal information and online presence.