How to Change Your Facebook Email Address: A Step-by-Step Guide
Changing your email address on Facebook is a straightforward process, whether you’re doing it for security reasons, switching to a new email provider, or simply wanting to update your contact information. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps involved, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. We’ll cover everything from accessing your account settings to verifying your new email address.
## Why Change Your Facebook Email?
There are several reasons why you might want to change the email address associated with your Facebook account:
* **Security:** If you suspect your current email address has been compromised, changing it on Facebook adds an extra layer of security.
* **New Email Provider:** Switching from one email service (e.g., Yahoo) to another (e.g., Gmail) necessitates updating your Facebook account.
* **Professionalism:** Using a more professional-sounding email address (e.g., from a personal domain) can be beneficial, especially if you use Facebook for networking.
* **Privacy:** You might want to use a separate email address specifically for social media accounts to better manage your online presence and reduce spam.
* **Account Recovery:** Ensuring your email address is current and accessible is crucial for account recovery purposes, should you ever forget your password or lose access to your account.
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
* **Access to Your Facebook Account:** You need to be logged into the Facebook account you want to update.
* **A Valid New Email Address:** The email address you want to use must be active and accessible. You’ll need to verify it during the process.
* **Your Facebook Password:** You’ll likely need your password to confirm the changes.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Facebook Email
This guide provides detailed instructions for changing your Facebook email address on both desktop and mobile devices.
### Method 1: Changing Your Email on a Desktop Computer
This is generally considered the easier method, as the larger screen provides more space and a clearer layout.
**Step 1: Log in to Your Facebook Account**
Open your web browser and go to [www.facebook.com](www.facebook.com). Enter your current email address (or phone number) and password to log in.
**Step 2: Access the Settings Menu**
Once you’re logged in, look for the downward-facing arrow icon in the top-right corner of the page. Click on it to open a dropdown menu. From the menu, select “Settings & Privacy,” and then click on “Settings.”
**Step 3: Navigate to Contact Information**
In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings page, you’ll see various options. Click on “Contact” (or “Contact Information”). This will display the current email address and phone number associated with your account.
**Step 4: Add Your New Email Address**
Under the “Email Address” section, you should see your current email address. Click on the “Add another email or mobile number” link. A popup window will appear.
**Step 5: Enter Your New Email Address**
In the popup window, enter the new email address you want to use for your Facebook account in the provided field. Click the “Add” button.
**Step 6: Verify Your New Email Address**
Facebook will send a verification email to the new email address you provided. Open your email inbox and look for the email from Facebook. It will contain a confirmation link or a verification code.
* **If you received a confirmation link:** Click on the link to verify your email address. This will redirect you back to Facebook and confirm your new email.
* **If you received a verification code:** Return to Facebook (you may still be on the Contact Information page). You might see a prompt to enter the code. If not, look for a “Confirm” or “Resend Code” option next to the newly added email address and enter the verification code there. Click “Confirm” to verify.
**Step 7: Make Your New Email Address Primary (Optional)**
Once your new email address is verified, you can make it your primary email address. This means it will be the default email used for notifications, password resets, and other communications from Facebook.
* Go back to the “Contact Information” section in your Facebook settings.
* Next to your newly verified email address, click on the “Manage” button (or a similar option like “Make Primary”).
* Select “Make Primary” from the dropdown menu. You may be prompted to enter your Facebook password to confirm the change.
**Step 8: Remove Your Old Email Address (Optional)**
If you no longer want to use your old email address with Facebook, you can remove it. However, it’s generally recommended to wait a few days to ensure everything is working correctly with your new email before removing the old one.
* Go back to the “Contact Information” section in your Facebook settings.
* Next to your old email address, click on the “Remove” button.
* Facebook may ask you to confirm that you want to remove the email address. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the removal.
### Method 2: Changing Your Email on a Mobile Device (Android/iOS)
The process for changing your email address on the Facebook mobile app is slightly different, but still relatively easy.
**Step 1: Open the Facebook App**
Launch the Facebook app on your Android or iOS device and log in to your account.
**Step 2: Access the Menu**
Tap on the three horizontal lines (often referred to as the “hamburger menu”) located in the top-right corner (on Android) or the bottom-right corner (on iOS) of the screen. This will open the app’s menu.
**Step 3: Scroll Down and Select “Settings & Privacy”**
In the menu, scroll down until you find “Settings & Privacy.” Tap on it to expand the options. Then, tap on “Settings.”
**Step 4: Navigate to Personal and Account Information**
On the Settings screen, look for the section titled “Account.” Tap on “Personal and Account Information.”
**Step 5: Select “Contact Info”**
On the “Personal and Account Information” screen, you’ll see various options related to your account details. Tap on “Contact Info.”
**Step 6: Add Your New Email Address**
You’ll see your current email address listed. Tap on “Add Email Address.”
**Step 7: Enter Your New Email Address**
Enter the new email address you want to use for your Facebook account in the provided field. Then, enter your Facebook password in the designated field. Tap “Add Email.”
**Step 8: Verify Your New Email Address**
Facebook will send a verification email to the new email address you provided. Open your email inbox on your mobile device and look for the email from Facebook. It will contain a confirmation link or a verification code.
* **If you received a confirmation link:** Tap on the link to verify your email address. This will likely open the link in your mobile browser and redirect you back to the Facebook app, confirming your new email.
* **If you received a verification code:** Return to the Facebook app (you may still be on the Contact Info page). Look for a “Confirm” or “Resend Code” option next to the newly added email address and tap on it. Enter the verification code there and tap “Confirm” to verify.
**Step 9: Make Your New Email Address Primary (Optional)**
Once your new email address is verified, you can make it your primary email address.
* Go back to the “Contact Info” section in your Facebook settings.
* Tap on the newly verified email address. You might see an option to “Make Primary.” If so, tap on it. Otherwise, look for a “Manage Contact Info” or a similar option.
* On the next screen, you should see an option to set the new email as primary. Select it. You may need to enter your Facebook password to confirm.
**Step 10: Remove Your Old Email Address (Optional)**
As with the desktop method, it’s best to wait a few days before removing your old email address.
* Go back to the “Contact Info” section in your Facebook settings.
* Tap on the old email address you want to remove.
* You should see a “Remove” option. Tap on it.
* Confirm that you want to remove the email address when prompted.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the process of changing your Facebook email is usually straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot some common problems:
* **Verification Email Not Received:**
* **Check Your Spam Folder:** The verification email might have been mistakenly filtered into your spam or junk folder.
* **Double-Check the Email Address:** Ensure you entered the correct email address without any typos.
* **Request a New Verification Email:** On Facebook, look for an option to resend the verification email. Use this option if you haven’t received the email after a reasonable amount of time (e.g., 15 minutes).
* **Contact Your Email Provider:** If you still haven’t received the email, there might be a temporary issue with your email provider. Contact their support for assistance.
* **Unable to Confirm Email Address:**
* **Ensure the Verification Code is Correct:** Double-check that you’ve entered the verification code correctly. Codes are case-sensitive, so pay attention to capitalization.
* **The Code Has Expired:** Verification codes usually have a limited lifespan. Request a new verification code if the original one has expired.
* **Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:** Sometimes, cached data can interfere with the verification process. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies and try again.
* **Password Issues:**
* **Forgotten Password:** If you can’t remember your Facebook password, use the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.
* **Password Incorrect:** Make sure you’re entering the correct password. Double-check that Caps Lock is off.
* **Two-Factor Authentication Issues:**
* **Recovery Codes:** If you have two-factor authentication enabled and are having trouble accessing your account, use your recovery codes to log in.
* **Contact Facebook Support:** If you’ve lost your recovery codes or are unable to access your account through two-factor authentication, you’ll need to contact Facebook support for assistance.
## Security Best Practices After Changing Your Email
After successfully changing your Facebook email address, it’s a good time to review and enhance your account security:
* **Enable Two-Factor Authentication:** If you haven’t already, enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. This requires a code from your phone (or another device) in addition to your password when logging in from an unfamiliar device.
* **Review Login Locations:** Check the list of devices and locations from which you’ve recently logged into Facebook. If you see any suspicious activity, log out of those sessions and change your password immediately.
* **Strengthen Your Password:** Use a strong, unique password that is difficult to guess. A good password should be at least 12 characters long and include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
* **Be Wary of Phishing Scams:** Be cautious of emails or messages that ask you to click on links or provide personal information. Always verify the sender’s authenticity before taking any action.
* **Review App Permissions:** Regularly review the apps and websites that have access to your Facebook account and remove any that you no longer use or trust.
## Conclusion
Changing your Facebook email address is a simple yet important step in maintaining control over your online presence and ensuring the security of your account. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily update your email address on both desktop and mobile devices. Remember to verify your new email address promptly and consider implementing additional security measures to protect your account. Regularly reviewing your account settings and staying vigilant against potential threats will help you keep your Facebook account safe and secure.