You cannot see your current Facebook password, but you can reset it in minutes

Facebook does not show you your password for security reasons — the company stores an encrypted version that even their own staff cannot read. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it by proving you own the account. The fastest way is through the login page itself, which takes about five minutes if you have access to your email or phone number.

If you are locked out of your email too, or if you suspect someone else changed your password, the process takes longer but still works. Facebook has built-in recovery steps that do not require you to remember anything except how to identify yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook passwords cannot be viewed or retrieved — they can only be reset by proving you own the account through email or phone.
  • The standard reset takes five minutes and works from the login page without needing to contact anyone.
  • If you cannot access your email or phone, you can use a trusted contact or government ID to prove your identity instead.
  • If you think someone else changed your password, report it as a compromised account rather than a forgotten password — Facebook treats these differently.
  • After you reset your password, check your login activity and remove any sessions you do not recognize.

Reset your password from the Facebook login page

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" below the login box. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your account. Facebook will send a reset link to that email or a code to that phone number.

If you use email, click the link in the message Facebook sends. If you use a phone number, enter the code on the screen. Either way, you will then create a new password. Use something you have not used before and that is at least 6 characters long — longer is better, and mixing in numbers and symbols makes it harder to guess.

After you reset, Facebook logs you out of all devices. You will need to sign in again on your phone, computer, or tablet using the new password. This is normal and protects you if someone else had access.

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

If the email address on your account no longer works or you no longer have that phone number, click "No longer have access to these?" on the password reset screen. Facebook will ask you to enter an email address you can use right now — this does not have to be the one on your account.

Facebook will send a link to this new email. Click it and you can set a new password. You should then add this email to your account so you can reset again in the future if needed. Go to Settings, then Personal Information, then Email, and add the address you just used.

If you also cannot access any email address, you have a second option: add a trusted contact before you need it. A trusted contact is someone you know in person — a friend or family member — who can help you get back in if you are locked out. You set this up in Settings under Security and Login. If you did not set one up before, you can still use your government ID to prove who you are, though this takes longer.

If you think someone else changed your password

Do not use the "Forgotten password" option. Instead, go to facebook.com/login/identify and tell Facebook you think your account was hacked. This triggers a different process that treats the situation as a security problem rather than a lost password.

Facebook will ask you to prove your identity using a photo of your government ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. Take a clear photo of the front and back, upload both, and Facebook will review them. This usually takes a few hours to a few days.

Once Facebook confirms who you are, you can set a new password and review which devices have access to your account. Go to Settings, then Security and Login, then "Where you are logged in" to see all active sessions. Remove any you do not recognize.

Prevent this from happening again

After you reset your password, spend five minutes on security. Go to Settings, then Security and Login. Turn on two-factor authentication — this means Facebook will ask for a code from your phone whenever someone tries to log in from a new device, even if they have your password.

You can choose to receive these codes by text message or through an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. An app is more secure than text because text messages can be intercepted, but text is better than nothing.

Also check "Where you are logged in" and remove any sessions from computers or phones you no longer use. If you see a device you do not recognize, remove it immediately and change your password again.

What happens if you cannot prove your identity

If Facebook cannot verify your identity using your government ID, or if you do not have one, the process takes longer. Facebook may ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account, or to identify photos of your friends.

In rare cases, Facebook may not be able to confirm you are the account owner. If this happens, you will not be able to recover the account. This is why setting up a trusted contact and two-factor authentication before you need them matters — they are your backup plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Facebook tell me what my password is?

No. Facebook stores passwords in a way that even Facebook employees cannot read them. If you forget your password, the only option is to reset it. There is no way to retrieve the old one.

How long does a password reset take?

If you have access to your email or phone, you can reset in five to ten minutes. If you need to use your government ID to prove your identity, it usually takes a few hours to a few days while Facebook reviews your documents.

Will resetting my password log me out everywhere?

Yes. When you reset your password, Facebook logs you out of all phones, computers, and tablets. You will need to sign in again with your new password. This protects you if someone else had access to your account.

What if I set up two-factor authentication and then lost my phone?

Go to facebook.com/login/identify and tell Facebook you cannot access your authentication app or phone number. You can use your government ID to prove your identity and turn off two-factor authentication, then set it up again with a new phone.

Is it safe to use the same password on Facebook as on other websites?

No. If one website gets hacked and your password is stolen, hackers can try that same password on Facebook, email, and your bank. Use a different password on each important account. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store them safely so you only have to remember one master password.