Change your password from Facebook settings

To change your Facebook password, open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner (the three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Password and security. You'll see a section labeled Change password — click Edit next to it.

Facebook will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in, then enter your new password twice to confirm it matches. Your new password should be at least 6 characters long, but longer passwords with a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols are harder for someone else to guess. Once you've entered everything, click Save changes.

Facebook will log you out of all your devices after you change your password. This is intentional — it forces anyone who had your old password to log back in with the new one. You'll need to sign back in on any phone, tablet, or computer where you use Facebook.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Password and security to find the change password option.
  • Facebook requires your current password before letting you set a new one, so have it ready.
  • You will be logged out of all devices after changing your password and must sign back in.
  • A strong password uses at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login screen instead.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you don't remember your current password, you cannot change it from Settings — Facebook requires you to know the old one first. Instead, go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot 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 the email (or follow the instructions if you chose to receive a code by text). Facebook will let you create a brand new password without needing the old one. This is a full password reset, not a change, so you don't need to remember anything.

Make sure you're on the real Facebook website

Before you enter your password anywhere, check that you're actually on Facebook.com or using the official Facebook app from Apple's App Store or Google Play. Fake websites that look like Facebook exist specifically to steal passwords. If you arrived at Facebook by clicking a link in an email or text message, type facebook.com directly into your browser instead — don't use the link.

The official Facebook app has a blue icon with a white "f" on it. If you're unsure whether an app is real, delete it and download it fresh from the app store. Scammers sometimes create apps with names that sound official but aren't.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months makes it harder for someone to use a stolen or guessed password for a long time. If a website you use gets hacked and your password leaks, changing it on Facebook means the leaked password no longer works. You don't need to change it constantly — a few times a year is reasonable — but it's a simple step that reduces risk.

If you ever see a login from a place you don't recognize, or if Facebook sends you a security alert, change your password immediately. You can also check which devices are currently logged into your Facebook account by going to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Where you're logged in. If you see a device you don't recognize, click it and select Log out.

Use a password manager to remember strong passwords

A password manager is a program that stores your passwords securely so you don't have to remember them. Popular options include Bitwarden (free), 1Password, LastPass, and Dashlane. Once you set up a password manager, it can create a random strong password for Facebook and remember it for you. When you visit Facebook, the password manager fills in your login automatically.

This means you only need to remember one master password — the one that unlocks the password manager itself. Your Facebook password can be something like "7kR#mQ2$vLp9xW" that you would never remember on your own, but the password manager handles it. If Facebook's password changes, you just update it in the password manager once, and you're done.

What happens if someone else knows your password

If you think someone else has your Facebook password, change it right away using the steps above. After you change it, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Where you're logged in. Look through the list of devices and locations. If you see a login from somewhere you don't recognize — a different city, a device you don't own, or a time when you weren't using Facebook — click it and select Log out.

You can also turn on Login alerts in the Password and security section. This makes Facebook send you a notification whenever someone logs into your account from a new device or location. If you get an alert for a login you didn't make, you'll know immediately and can change your password and log out that device.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the password change to take effect?

The password change takes effect immediately. You'll be logged out of all devices right away, and the old password stops working. When you log back in on each device, use your new password.

Can I change my password on the Facebook app instead of the website?

Yes, the steps are the same on the app. Open the menu (three lines at the bottom right on iPhone, three lines at the top right on Android), go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Password and security, and click Edit next to Change password.

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

Make sure you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you're still stuck, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it again. If that doesn't work, Facebook may have temporarily locked your account for security reasons, and you may need to wait a few hours.

Do I need to change my password if I just changed it last month?

No, you don't need to change it again so soon. Changing your password a few times a year is enough. Only change it sooner if you think someone else knows it, if you see a suspicious login, or if a website you use announces a data breach.

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No, changing your password does not affect any of your photos, messages, posts, or other account data. It only changes how you log in. Everything on your account stays exactly the same.