The quickest way to change your email on Facebook

Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to Settings and Privacy, then select Settings. Click Personal Information on the left side, then Email. You'll see your current email listed. Click next to it, type your new email address, and click Change Email. Facebook will send a confirmation link to your new email — click that link within a few hours to finish the change.

On a phone, the steps are the same but the menu names look slightly different. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, then Personal Information, then Email. The confirmation process works the same way.

Your old email will stop working for Facebook login as soon as you confirm the new one. If you use your Facebook email to reset passwords on other accounts, update those services with your new email first, or keep your old email active long enough to update them afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your email through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email on any device.
  • Facebook sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it to complete the change.
  • Your old email stops working for Facebook login once the new email is confirmed.
  • If other accounts use your Facebook email for password recovery, update those services before or immediately after changing your email.
  • You can add multiple email addresses to your Facebook account so you have backup login options.

Adding a backup email instead of replacing your current one

If you want to keep your old email active on Facebook while adding a new one, you can add a second email address instead of replacing the first. Go to Settings > Personal Information > Email, and look for an "Add Email" or "Add Another Email" option below your current email. Type the new address and confirm it the same way — Facebook sends a confirmation link to that new email.

Once both emails are confirmed, you can log into Facebook using either one. This is useful if you're switching email providers but want a grace period where both work, or if you want a backup way to get into your account. You can remove the old email later once you're certain the new one is working everywhere you need it.

What happens if you don't have access to your old email anymore

If your old email account is closed or you no longer have access to it, you can still change your Facebook email — you just won't be able to confirm the change through that old account. Go to Settings > Personal Information > Email and enter your new email address. Facebook will try to send a confirmation link to your old email, but since you can't access it, look for an alternative verification option on the same screen.

Facebook may ask you to verify your identity another way, such as through a phone number on your account, a government ID, or by answering security questions you set up previously. Follow the prompts to complete whichever verification method Facebook offers. This process takes longer than a simple email confirmation but will let you change your email without access to the old one.

Changing the email you use to receive notifications

Your login email and your notification email can be different. If you want Facebook to send notifications (like friend requests or comments) to a different address than the one you use to log in, go to Settings > Notifications. Look for Email Notifications or a similar option, and you'll find a field to enter a separate email address for those messages.

This is helpful if you use one email for logging into accounts but prefer notifications to go to a work email or a different personal address. You'll still log into Facebook with your primary email, but alerts will arrive at whichever address you set in the notifications section.

Recovering your account if you've lost access to both emails

If you change your email and then lose access to both the old one and the new one, you can still recover your account. Go to the Facebook login page, click "Forgotten Password?", and enter your username, phone number, or any email address associated with your account. Facebook will show you recovery options, which may include a phone number you added to your account, a trusted contact you set up, or a government ID verification.

Set up a trusted contact before you need it — this is a real person you know who can help you regain access if you're locked out. Go to Settings > Personal Information > Trusted Contacts and add one or more friends. If you ever can't log in, you can ask Facebook to send a special code to one of these people, and they can give it to you to unlock your account.

Why Facebook asks you to confirm your new email

The confirmation step protects your account from being taken over. If someone else had access to your Facebook password, they could change your email to lock you out. By requiring you to click a link in the new email address, Facebook makes sure you actually own that email before switching it over.

The confirmation link usually works for a few hours. If you don't click it in time, go back to Settings > Personal Information > Email and request a new confirmation link. You don't have to start the whole process over — just ask Facebook to send the link again to the same new email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same email for multiple Facebook accounts?

No. Each Facebook account must have its own unique email address. If you try to add an email that's already connected to another account, Facebook will reject it. You'll need a different email for each account you want to maintain.

How long does it take for the email change to go through?

The change is instant once you click the confirmation link in your new email. If you don't click the link, the old email stays active. There's no waiting period after confirmation — you can log in with your new email right away.

Will changing my email affect my Facebook friends or messages?

No. Your email address is only for logging in and receiving notifications. Your friends won't see it, and changing it won't affect your messages, photos, or any other part of your account. Everything stays the same except how you sign in.

What if I change my mind and want to switch back to my old email?

You can change your email as many times as you want. Just go back to Settings > Personal Information > Email and enter your old email address. You'll need to confirm it the same way you did the first time. There's no limit to how often you can make this change.

Do I need to update my password when I change my email?

No. Your password stays the same. The email is only used for logging in and notifications, not for security. You can change your password separately if you want to, but it's not required when you change your email.