Edit your birthday in Facebook settings

To change your birthday on Facebook, open the app or website, go to your profile, and select the pencil icon next to your birth date. Facebook stores this information in your personal details section, and you can update it the same way you would change your phone number or email address. The change takes effect immediately, though Facebook limits how often you can modify this field.

On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left menu, choose "Personal information," then "Basic information." Find the birthday field and click the pencil icon to edit it. Enter your correct date and click "Save changes."

On the Facebook mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings." Select "Personal information," then "Basic information." Tap the birthday field, update it, and save. The process is identical on iPhone and Android.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birthday through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Basic information on both desktop and mobile.
  • Facebook restricts how many times you can change your birthday per year, so make sure the date is correct before saving.
  • Your birthday visibility is separate from the edit function — you control who sees it through privacy settings in the same Basic information section.
  • If you cannot find the birthday field or the edit option is grayed out, you may have reached Facebook's annual change limit and will need to wait.

Why Facebook limits birthday changes

Facebook restricts birthday edits to prevent fraud and account takeovers. Bad actors sometimes change a birthday to lock the real owner out of their account or to make the account appear to belong to someone else. By limiting changes to once per year (or sometimes less frequently), Facebook reduces the risk that someone with temporary access to your account can cause lasting damage.

This restriction also protects younger users. If you created a Facebook account with a false age to bypass the minimum age requirement, changing your birthday repeatedly could trigger Facebook's automated systems to review your account. Facebook's terms require users to be at least 13 years old, and the platform uses birthday data to enforce this policy.

What happens if you cannot edit your birthday

If the birthday field shows no pencil icon or appears grayed out, you have likely reached Facebook's change limit for the year. Facebook typically allows one birthday change per calendar year, though the exact policy can vary. If you need to change it again, you will have to wait until the next calendar year begins.

If you believe your birthday was changed without your permission, report it to Facebook immediately. Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Settings" > "Personal information" > "Basic information," take a screenshot of the incorrect date, then visit Facebook's Help Center and report the issue. Facebook can investigate unauthorized changes and may reset your limit if fraud occurred.

Controlling who sees your birthday

Changing your birthday and controlling who sees it are two separate settings. After you update your birth date, you can decide whether friends, the public, or only you can view it. In the same "Basic information" section where you edit the date, look for the privacy icon next to your birthday — it usually shows a globe, a group of people, or a lock.

Click that icon to choose your privacy level. "Public" means anyone on or off Facebook can see it. "Friends" means only people on your friends list can see it. "Only me" hides it from everyone except Facebook itself. You can also hide just the year while showing the month and day, which is useful if you want friends to know when to wish you happy birthday without revealing your age.

Updating birthday information on other platforms

If you use Facebook to sign into other apps and websites, those services may have cached your old birthday information. Changing it on Facebook does not automatically update it everywhere. Apps like Spotify, Instagram, or gaming platforms that use Facebook Login will eventually sync the new information, but this can take hours or days.

If you need the change to take effect immediately on another service, log into that app or website directly and update your birthday there as well. Some services do not pull birthday data from Facebook at all and require you to edit it in their own settings.

If you forgot your birthday or need to verify it

If you cannot remember the birthday you used when you created your account, check your email. Facebook sends a birthday reminder email a few days before your birthday each year — the email will show the date Facebook has on file. If you cannot find that email, look through your account creation confirmation messages.

If you need to change your birthday but Facebook has locked you out of edits, you can contact Facebook through their Help Center. Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Help and support" > "Help Center," search for "birthday," and look for the option to report a problem. Explain that you need to correct your birthday and have reached your change limit. Facebook may grant a one-time exception, though this is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my birthday more than once a year?

Facebook typically limits birthday changes to once per calendar year. If you have already changed it this year, you will need to wait until January 1 to change it again. In rare cases, Facebook may allow additional changes if you report fraud or a security issue.

Will my friends be notified if I change my birthday?

No, changing your birthday does not send a notification to your friends. However, if you change it to a date coming up soon, Facebook may send birthday reminders to your friends on the new date. Your friends will not see a post or alert about the change itself.

What if I set the wrong birthday when I created my account?

You can update it now using the steps above. If you set a false birthday to bypass age restrictions and you are actually under 13, Facebook may disable your account when you correct it, since the platform requires users to be at least 13 years old.

Does changing my birthday on Facebook change it on Instagram?

If your Instagram account is linked to the same Facebook account, Instagram will eventually sync the new birthday information. This can take a few hours. You can also edit your birthday directly in Instagram settings if you want the change to take effect immediately there.

Can I hide my birthday completely from Facebook?

You can set your birthday to "Only me" so no one else can see it, but Facebook itself will still have the information on file. You cannot delete your birthday entirely — Facebook requires this data for account security and age verification purposes.