The quickest way to change your password

Open Facebook on any device and go to Settings and Privacy > Settings. On the left side, click Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click Change Password and you're done — Facebook will log you out of all your other sessions so only your current device stays signed in.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You don't need to know your old password if you're locked out — Facebook can send you a reset link through your email or phone number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings and Privacy > Settings > Password on any device where you're already signed in.
  • Facebook logs you out everywhere except your current device when you change your password, which is a security feature.
  • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it through email or phone.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid words from your profile like your name or birthday.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months makes it harder for someone who may have seen it — whether through a data breach, a public WiFi network, or shoulder surfing — to keep using your account. Each time you change it, old passwords stop working, even if someone wrote them down.

You should change your password immediately if you notice unfamiliar activity on your account, like posts you didn't make or login notifications from places you weren't. If you've used the same password on multiple websites, change it on all of them, because a breach on one site can expose it everywhere.

Making your new password actually secure

A password that's hard to guess has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid anything tied to your public profile — not your name, birthday, hometown, or the names of people you follow. Don't use common patterns like "Password123" or sequences like "12345".

A random string like "Tr0pic@lMango#92" is stronger than a phrase you think is clever, because hackers use dictionaries and common substitutions (like @ for A) to guess passwords. If you struggle to remember a complex password, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it — that's safer than writing it down or reusing the same password across sites.

What happens when you change your password

Facebook immediately logs you out of every device and app except the one you're currently using. This means if someone else had your password and was using your account on their phone, they'll be kicked out. You'll see a notification in your login activity showing when the password was changed.

Any apps or websites you've connected to your Facebook account — like games or photo editors that use "Sign in with Facebook" — stay connected. If you want to disconnect those, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites and remove the ones you no longer use.

If you can't remember your current password

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" below the login box. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in your email or text message, then create a new password.

If you don't have access to the email or phone number on your account, Facebook can walk you through other ways to prove it's yours — like answering security questions you set up, or uploading a photo ID. This process takes longer but protects your account from someone else taking it over.

Protecting your account beyond the password

A strong password is your first line of defense, but two-factor authentication adds a second lock. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Security and Login and turn on "Use two-factor authentication." You'll choose whether to receive codes by text message or through an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy.

With two-factor on, anyone trying to log in from a new device has to enter a code you receive — even if they have your password. You should also review your login activity regularly. In the same Security and Login section, click "Where you're logged in" to see all active sessions and sign out of any you don't recognize.

Changing your password on mobile apps

The Facebook app on iPhone or Android works the same way. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, then tap Password. Enter your current password and your new one twice, then tap Change Password.

If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the same steps as on a computer — the process is identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my messages or photos?

No. Changing your password only affects how you sign in — it doesn't touch any of your account content. Your messages, photos, posts, and friends list all stay exactly as they are.

How often should I change my Facebook password?

Every few months is reasonable if your account hasn't been compromised. If you notice suspicious activity, change it right away. If you use the same password on other sites and one of those sites has a breach, change your Facebook password immediately.

Can I use a password I've used before?

Facebook allows it, but it's not a good idea. If an old password was ever exposed in a breach, reusing it puts your account at risk again. Choose something new each time.

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

Make sure you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password." If you're still stuck, use the "Forgotten password?" link to reset it again. If your account was hacked, Facebook may have locked it temporarily for security.

Does changing my password on one device change it everywhere?

Yes. Your password is tied to your account, not to a specific device. When you change it, the new password works on all devices — and the old one stops working everywhere except the device you changed it on.