The basic steps to log in to Facebook

To log into Facebook, go to facebook.com in your web browser or open the Facebook app on your phone. You'll see a login screen with two fields: one for your email address or phone number, and one for your password. Enter the email or phone number you used when you created your account, then enter your password exactly as you set it (passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter). Click the blue "Log In" button.

If you're on a device you use regularly and trust, Facebook will usually remember you after you log in once. The next time you visit, you may already be logged in without having to enter your credentials again. If you're on a shared or public computer, you should always log out when you're done — look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, scroll down, and select "Log Out".

Key Takeaways

  • You can log in using either the email address or phone number you registered with, along with your password.
  • Facebook works the same way on the website (facebook.com) and the mobile app — both use the same login credentials.
  • If you forget your password, click "Forgotten password?" on the login screen and follow the recovery steps using your email or phone number.
  • On shared computers, always log out when finished by clicking the menu icon and selecting "Log Out".
  • Two-factor authentication adds a security layer by requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password.

What to do if you forgot your password

Click the "Forgotten password?" link on the Facebook login screen. Facebook will ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. You'll then receive a link via email or a code via text message (depending on which contact method you choose). Click the link in the email or enter the code on Facebook's website, and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password.

Make your new password something you haven't used before and something that's hard to guess. A strong password includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down in a safe place — like a password manager or a locked notebook — so you don't forget it again.

Logging in on different devices

Your Facebook account works on any device: computers, phones, tablets, and even some smart TVs. You use the same email (or phone number) and password on every device. If you log in on a new device, Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity by sending a code to your email or phone — this is a security check to make sure it's really you.

You can see which devices are currently logged into your account by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. This page shows a list of devices and locations where you're logged in. If you see a device you don't recognize, you can click "Log Out" next to it to end that session immediately.

Using two-factor authentication for extra security

Two-factor authentication (sometimes called 2FA) adds a second security step beyond your password. After you enter your password, Facebook sends a code to your phone via text message or an authentication app. You then enter that code on the login screen before you can access your account. This means someone would need both your password and your phone to log in, even if they somehow learned your password.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login. Scroll down to "Two-Factor Authentication" and click "Edit". Choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Save your backup codes in a safe place — if you lose access to your phone, you'll need these codes to log in.

When you're stuck on the login screen

If you enter your email and password but the login screen doesn't move forward, check that you're typing your password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Make sure Caps Lock is not accidentally on. If you're still stuck, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (on Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (on Mac).

If you see an error message saying your account is locked or that there's suspicious activity, Facebook is protecting your account from unauthorized access. Follow the steps in the error message, which usually involve confirming your identity through email or phone. This process typically takes a few minutes to a few hours.

Logging out safely

To log out of Facebook on a computer, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of any Facebook page. Scroll down and click "Log Out". On a phone or tablet, tap the menu icon at the bottom right (it looks like three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap "Log Out".

Always log out when you're using a shared computer, such as one at a library, school, or internet café. Even if you close the browser window, someone else could reopen it and access your account if you didn't log out. If you forget to log out on a shared device, you can log out remotely from any other device by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login, and clicking "Log Out" next to the device you want to end the session on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in with my phone number instead of my email?

Yes. When you created your Facebook account, you provided either an email address or a phone number (or both). You can use whichever one you registered with to log in. If you registered with both, either one will work.

What if I don't remember which email I used for Facebook?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?". Enter any email address or phone number you think might be connected to your account. If it's linked to a Facebook account, Facebook will show you a partial version of the account (like a profile picture) so you can confirm it's yours. Then follow the password recovery steps.

Is it safe to save my password in my browser?

It's reasonably safe on a personal device you control. However, if you share your computer with others or use a public device, never let your browser save your password. On shared devices, always log out and clear your browser history after you're done.

Why does Facebook keep asking me to confirm my identity?

Facebook sends confirmation codes when you log in from a new device or location to prevent unauthorized access. This is a security feature. If you're logging in from a new phone or computer, expect to receive a code via email or text. Enter it on the login screen to proceed.

Can I have multiple Facebook accounts on the same device?

Yes. You can log out of one account and log into another using the same device. However, Facebook's app and website are designed to work with one account at a time on a single browser or app. If you need to switch between accounts frequently, you might consider using different browsers (like Chrome and Firefox) or using Facebook's "Switch Accounts" feature if available in your region.