You cannot find your existing password, but you can reset it

Facebook does not show you your password anywhere — not in settings, not in email, not anywhere. This is intentional. If Facebook stored passwords in a way that employees could read them, hackers who broke into Facebook's systems could read them too. Instead, Facebook stores only a scrambled version that cannot be reversed.

What you can do is reset your password to something new. This takes a few minutes and works whether you remember your old password or not. You will need access to either the email address or phone number connected to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook does not store passwords in a readable form, so you cannot retrieve your old password no matter what.
  • You can reset your password using the login page if you remember your email or phone number.
  • If you cannot remember your email or phone number, you can use a trusted contact or a photo ID to regain access.
  • After you reset your password, check your login activity to see if anyone else accessed your account while you were locked out.
  • Turning on two-factor authentication prevents someone from logging in even if they have your new password.

Reset your password from the Facebook login page

Go to facebook.com and look for the login boxes at the top. Below the password field, click "Forgotten password?" This takes you to a page that asks for your email address or phone number.

Type in the email or phone number you use to log in. Facebook will send a link to that email or a code to that phone. Click the link in the email or enter the code on the page. You will then see a screen where you can type a new password twice to confirm it matches.

Make your new password something you have not used before and something that is hard to guess. A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is stronger than a simple word. Write it down somewhere safe — a notebook at home, a password manager app, or a locked drawer — until you have memorized it.

What to do if you cannot access your email or phone number

If the email address or phone number on your account no longer works, you have two options: use a trusted contact or verify with a photo ID.

A trusted contact is someone you added to your account ahead of time — a friend or family member Facebook can contact to confirm you are the real account owner. If you set one up before, click "No longer have access to these?" on the password reset page, then select your trusted contact's name. Facebook will send them a special link they can share with you. You click that link to reset your password.

If you did not set up a trusted contact, you can verify with a photo ID instead. On the same page, select "I do not have access to these" and then choose the ID option. Take a photo of your ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card — and upload it. Facebook reviews the photo and usually responds within a few days. Once approved, you can reset your password.

Check your login activity after you reset

After you create your new password, log in and go to Settings. Click "Security and login" on the left side. Scroll down to "Where you are logged in" and look at the list of devices and locations.

You should recognize all of them. If you see a login from a place you have never been or a device you do not own, click the three dots next to it and select "Log out." This removes whoever was using that login. If many unfamiliar logins appear, someone may have had access to your account. Change your password again and turn on two-factor authentication right away.

Turn on two-factor authentication to prevent future lockouts

Two-factor authentication means Facebook asks for two pieces of proof before letting anyone log in: your password and a code from your phone. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot get in without that second code.

Go to Settings, click "Security and login," and find "Two-factor authentication." Choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. An app is slightly more secure because text messages can sometimes be intercepted, but either one is much better than no two-factor authentication.

Facebook will ask you to confirm a code to turn it on. Save the backup codes it gives you in a safe place — a notebook, a password manager, or a locked drawer. If you lose your phone, these codes let you log in while you get a new one.

Prevent password problems before they happen

The easiest way to avoid being locked out is to keep your recovery email and phone number current. If you change your email address or phone number in real life, update it in Facebook Settings under "Personal information." Check it every few months to make sure it still works.

Use a password manager — a program like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane that stores your passwords encrypted — so you do not have to remember your Facebook password or write it down by hand. Password managers fill in your login automatically and generate strong passwords for you.

If you use Facebook on a shared computer or a borrowed phone, always log out when you are done. Do not check "Keep me logged in" on devices that other people use. This prevents someone else from accessing your account by simply opening the browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Facebook tell me what my old password was?

No. Facebook cannot show you your old password because it does not store it in a readable form. Even Facebook employees cannot see it. You can only reset to a new password.

What if I reset my password but still cannot log in?

Try logging in from a different browser or device. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. If you still cannot log in, go back to the password reset page and reset it a second time. If the problem continues, use the trusted contact or photo ID method to regain access.

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you use email or phone, it takes a few minutes. If you use a trusted contact, it depends on how quickly they respond — usually within hours. If you use a photo ID, Facebook typically reviews it within a few days.

Do I need to change my password if I just forgot it?

No. If you reset it yourself and recognize all the logins in your activity, you are fine. You only need to change it again if you see logins from places you do not recognize, which means someone else may have accessed your account.

Will resetting my password log me out on my phone?

Yes. After you reset your password, you will be logged out on all devices. You will need to log back in on your phone, tablet, and computer using your new password.