You cannot retrieve a forgotten Facebook password, but you can reset it in minutes

Facebook does not store your password in a way that lets anyone — including Facebook staff — see it again. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it by proving you own the account. The reset process takes about five minutes and works from any device with internet access.

If you still remember your password but want to change it for security reasons, you can do that directly from your account settings without proving ownership. Both paths are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook passwords cannot be retrieved once set, so you must reset your password if you have forgotten it.
  • Password reset works by proving you own the account through email, phone number, or a trusted contact you set up in advance.
  • The reset link arrives in your email inbox within minutes, and you create a new password immediately after clicking it.
  • If you remember your current password, you can change it directly from Settings without proving ownership.
  • Two-factor authentication makes your account harder to break into, but also makes password reset slightly slower if you lose access to your phone.

Reset your password using your email address

This is the fastest method if you have access to the email address connected to your Facebook account. Go to facebook.com on any device and click "Forgotten password?" below the login box. Type in the email address or phone number linked to your account, then click "Search."

Facebook will show you a list of email addresses and phone numbers associated with the account. Click the one you recognize. Facebook then sends a password reset link to that email address. Open your email, find the message from Facebook (check your spam folder if you do not see it), and click the link inside.

You will be taken to a page where you create a new password. Type a password you have not used before on this account, then click "Continue." You are now logged in with the new password. Write it down or save it in a password manager so you do not lose it again.

Reset your password using your phone number

If you no longer have access to your email address, you can reset using the phone number on your account instead. Follow the same first steps: go to facebook.com, click "Forgotten password?", and type in your phone number. Click "Search" and confirm the phone number when Facebook shows it to you.

Instead of an email link, Facebook will send a code to your phone as a text message. Open the text, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the Facebook page. Click "Continue." You will then create a new password the same way as the email method.

This method only works if the phone number on your account is still active and you can receive text messages on it. If you have changed phone numbers and cannot receive texts, move to the trusted contacts method below.

Reset your password using a trusted contact

If you cannot access your email or phone number, Facebook lets you name trusted contacts in advance — friends or family members who can help you regain access. If you set this up before losing your password, you can use it now.

Go to facebook.com, click "Forgotten password?", type your email or phone, and click "Search." Look for the option that says you cannot access your email or phone. Click it. Facebook will show you a list of your trusted contacts. Choose one and Facebook will send them a special code.

Contact that person and ask them to give you the code. They will see a message on their Facebook account with the code — they do not need to do anything except read it to you. Once you have the code, type it into Facebook's page and create a new password.

If you have not set up trusted contacts and cannot access your email or phone, you will need to use Facebook's identity verification process, which takes longer. Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of your ID to confirm you own the account.

Change your password if you still remember it

If you know your current password but want to change it for security reasons, you do not need to reset anything. Log into Facebook normally, then click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."

On the left side, click "Password and security." Under the "Password" section, click "Change password." Type your current password, then type your new password twice. Click "Save changes." You are done — your new password takes effect immediately.

You will be logged out of all other devices and browsers where you were signed in. This is normal and a security feature. Log back in on those devices with your new password if you use them regularly.

What to do if you cannot access email, phone, or trusted contacts

If none of the methods above work, Facebook has a slower verification process. Go to facebook.com, click "Forgotten password?", enter your email or phone, and look for the option "No longer have access to these?" Click it and select "I don't have access to these contact methods."

Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of a government ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. Take a clear photo where your face and the ID details are readable, and upload it. Facebook reviews the ID to confirm you are the account owner, which usually takes a few hours to a few days.

Once Facebook confirms your identity, you will be able to reset your password. This method is slower than the others, but it is the most secure way to regain access if you have lost contact with your email, phone, and trusted contacts.

Protect your new password so you do not lose it again

After you reset your password, write it down in a safe place or save it in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone. A password manager stores passwords securely and fills them in automatically when you log in, so you do not have to remember them.

If you use the same password on multiple websites, change that now. Each account should have its own unique password so that if one website is hacked, the others stay safe. You can also turn on two-factor authentication to make your account harder to break into, even if someone learns your password. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then "Password and security," and look for "Two-factor authentication."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Facebook tell me what my old password was?

No. Facebook stores passwords in an encrypted form that cannot be reversed or read, even by Facebook employees. This is intentional — it protects your account if Facebook's systems are ever hacked. You must reset your password instead.

How long does the password reset email take to arrive?

Usually one to five minutes. If you do not see it after ten minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, go back to facebook.com and request a new reset link — you can request as many as you need.

What if I reset my password but still cannot log in?

Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are still stuck, try resetting again. If Facebook says your account does not exist, the email or phone number you entered may not be connected to any account.

Will resetting my password log me out of the Facebook app on my phone?

Yes. After you reset your password, you will be logged out of the Facebook app and the website on all devices. Open the app, tap "Forgotten password?" and use the same reset process, then log back in with your new password.

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

No. If one website is hacked and your password is stolen, hackers will try that same password on Facebook, email, and banking sites. Use a different password for each account. A password manager makes this easier by remembering all of them for you.