Let's be real. Trying to figure out how to change password on Facebook often happens for one of two reasons: either you've forgotten your current password (we've all been there!), or you got that nagging feeling someone else might have it.

Ugh. That feeling sucks. Maybe you logged in on a friend's phone once and forgot to log out. Maybe you used a simple password that's easy to crack. Or worse, maybe you got a weird notification or an email suggesting unusual activity. Suddenly, changing your Facebook password shoots to the top of your mental to-do list.

Good news: It's usually pretty straightforward. Bad news? Facebook loves shuffling where they hide things. What worked last year might be buried under three menus now. And doing it on your phone feels different than on your laptop. Plus, what if you do forget your password? Total panic mode.

I've been through this myself more times than I care to admit – once after a sketchy phishing email had me scrambling. That experience showed me exactly where people get stuck. This guide walks you through every single way to change your Facebook password, whether you remember your old one or not, on any device. I'll also throw in some crucial security steps most people skip and tackle those annoying "why won't this work?!" moments.

Before You Start Changing Your Password: The Prep Work

Jumping straight into changing your password can sometimes cause more headaches. Take these two minutes first:

Getting this stuff sorted upfront makes the whole password change process way less stressful and ensures you have backup options if things get messy. Seriously, don't skip the email/phone check!

How to Change Password on Facebook When You Know Your Current Password (Step-by-Step)

Alright, let's get to the main event. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using the Facebook website on a computer or the app on your phone (Android or iOS).

Changing Password on the Facebook Website (Desktop/Laptop)

This is generally the simplest method:

1. Log into Facebook using your current credentials.
2. Look at the top right corner of Facebook. Click on your profile picture.
3. In the dropdown menu, click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
4. On the left sidebar menu, click Meta Accounts Center. This is relatively new.
5. Inside the Meta Accounts Center, look under the Account Settings section and click Password and Security.
6. Find the specific Facebook profile you want to change the password for and click Change password.
7. You'll be prompted to enter your Current password.
8. Now, enter your New password in both fields provided.
9. Click Save Changes.

Facebook will usually ask you to log in again on that browser with your new password as a security step. Annoying? Maybe. Helpful? Definitely.

How to Change Facebook Password on the Mobile App (Android & iPhone)

Doing it on your phone feels a bit different:

1. Open the Facebook app and log in.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu button) – usually in the bottom right corner on iOS or top right corner on Android.
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
4. Scroll down to the Accounts Center section and tap Password and Security.
5. Under the Login & Recovery heading, tap Change password.
6. Select the specific Facebook profile if you manage multiple accounts.
7. Enter your Current password.
8. Enter your New password in both fields.
9. Tap Save Changes or the checkmark.

Just like on the web, you might get logged out and need to log back in with your new password.

What Makes a Good Facebook Password?

Choosing "password123" or your kid's name plus birth year isn't cutting it anymore. Hackers are lazy, but their tools are smart. Here's what Facebook requires and what you should aim for:

Honestly, Facebook's minimum requirements feel way too low for 2024. Aim high. Think of a random sentence or use a password manager to generate and store a truly strong, unique password. LastPass, Bitwarden, 1Password – pick one. It makes life infinitely easier and safer.

Help! I Forgot My Password: How to Reset Facebook Password

Okay, deep breath. This is why we checked your recovery info earlier! If you can't remember your current password, here’s how to reset it:

1. Go to the Facebook login page (on web or app).
2. Below the login fields, click/tap Forgotten password?
3. You'll be asked to identify your account. Enter your email address, phone number, username, or full name associated with the account. Click/Tap Search.
4. Facebook will show the profile picture associated with the matching account. Confirm it's yours.
5. Now, you'll see your recovery options. This is where that prep work pays off:
   • Email Address: Facebook will send a code to the email address(es) on file. Check your inbox (and spam folder!).
   • Phone Number: Facebook will send a code via SMS to the phone number(s) on file.
   • Trusted Contacts: If you set these up, you can choose to contact them. Facebook will send codes to your friends; you need to contact them (call, text, meet in person!) to get the codes and enter them back on Facebook.
6. Select your preferred recovery method (email or phone is usually fastest).
7. Enter the code you receive via email or text.
8. If the code is accepted, you'll be prompted to create a new password. Enter a strong, new password twice (see the table above!).
9. Click/Tap Continue or Save Changes.
10. You should now be logged in with your new password. Facebook will usually offer to log you out of other devices – say yes to this!

Why Reset Might Fail & How to Fix It

Things don't always go smoothly. Here's the common reset password on Facebook headaches:

Honestly, if you get the "no recovery options" error and you're sure you entered everything possible, it feels defeating. Prevention (keeping recovery info updated!) is truly the only foolproof solution here.

What Happens After You Change or Reset Your Facebook Password?

Alright, you've successfully updated your password. Here's the aftermath:

• Logout Everywhere (Usually): As a security measure, changing your password will typically log you out of Facebook on all browsers and devices except the one you used to make the change. You'll stay logged in where you changed it. You'll need to log back in everywhere else (your phone, your laptop, your mom's iPad) using the new password. This is a good thing!
• App Passwords Might Break: If you use email apps (like Outlook or Apple Mail) linked to your Facebook email address using an older method, or some third-party apps that log in via Facebook, they might stop working. You'll likely need to re-enter your new Facebook password in those apps.
• Security Alerts: If you have alerts set up (highly recommended!), you might get an email or notification saying "Your Facebook password was changed." This is normal confirmation. If you get this alert and didn't change your password, act immediately – your account might be compromised!

Locking It Down: Essential Security Steps After Changing Your Password

Changing your password is a great start, but it's not the whole security picture. Do these next:

Turn On Login Alerts & Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This is non-negotiable in 2024. 2FA adds a second layer of security. Even if someone steals your password, they can't get in without the second factor.

How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login.
2. Scroll down to Two-Factor Authentication and click Edit.
3. Choose your preferred method:
   • Text Message (SMS): Simpler, but less secure than Authenticator apps (phone number hijacking is possible).
   • Authentication App (Best Choice): Apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator generate codes. More secure than SMS. You'll need to install the app and scan a QR code from Facebook.
   • Security Key (Most Secure): Physical USB keys like YubiKey. Very secure, but less convenient.
4. Follow the prompts to set up your chosen method.
5. Generate Backup Codes: This is crucial! When setting up 2FA, Facebook will offer you a set of 10 one-time-use backup codes. PRINT THEM OUT or save them somewhere incredibly safe (like a password manager). If you lose your phone or security key, these codes are your only way back in. Do NOT skip this!

How to Set Up Login Alerts:

1. In the same Security and Login settings section.
2. Find Get alerts about unrecognized logins and click Edit.
3. Choose how you want alerts: Email, Notifications (in the Facebook app), or both.
4. Click Save Changes.

Now, if someone tries to log into your account from a new device or browser, you'll get notified instantly. Gives you a chance to react fast.

Review Active Sessions & Logged-In Apps

1. Go back to Security and Login.
2. Look for Where You're Logged In or See All under active sessions.
3. Review the list of devices and locations. Pay attention to:
   • Devices you don't recognize (weird model names, brands)
   • Locations you haven't been to (different city, state, country)
   • Dates/times that don't make sense (like logins while you were definitely asleep)
4. For any suspicious session, click the three dots (...) and select Log Out or Not you?.
5. Also, check Apps and Websites (lower down in settings). Review which third-party apps have access via Facebook. Remove any you don't recognize or use anymore. Old quizzes and games are notorious security holes!

Facebook Password Change F.A.Q.: Answering Your Real Questions

Here are the questions people actually ask when trying to manage their Facebook password:

How often should I change my Facebook password?

This is a big shift! The old advice was "change every 3 months." Now, major security organizations like NIST say: Don't change your password regularly just for the sake of it. Why? Because people tend to make minor, predictable changes ("Password1" becomes "Password2") or write them down unsafely. The best approach today is:

• Create one incredibly strong, unique password (like we discussed earlier).
• Only change it if:
  • You believe it's been compromised (you see suspicious activity, you shared it accidentally).
  • You used it accidentally on a phishing site.
  • You suspect malware on your device.
  • It pops up in a public data breach (check sites like haveibeenpwned.com).

Focus more on strong unique passwords and enabling 2FA than arbitrary changes.

Why won't Facebook let me change my password? Common errors & fixes

Hitting a wall trying to change password on Facebook? Here's the usual suspects:

How do I change my password on the Facebook Lite app?

The Lite app has a much simpler interface. Here's how:

1. Open the Facebook Lite app.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right.
3. Scroll way down to the bottom and tap Settings & Privacy > Settings.
4. Tap Security and Login.
5. Tap Change password.
6. Enter your current password and your new password twice.
7. Tap Save Changes.

How long does it take to reset a Facebook password?

If you remember your current password? Literally less than a minute once you navigate through the settings.

If you need to reset because you forgot it? It depends:

• SMS/Email Recovery: Usually instantaneous. You get the code within seconds/minutes, enter it, set new password – total time under 5 minutes if everything works smoothly.
• Trusted Contacts: Can take much longer – you have to wait for your friends to see the message, get the codes, and send them to you. Could be minutes, could be hours or even days. Not ideal in an emergency.
• Recovery Form: If you have no recovery options, submitting forms can take days or weeks for Facebook to review, with no guarantee of success. Avoid this scenario at all costs.

Does changing my Facebook password log everyone out?

Yes, except for the specific device and browser you used to change the password.

So, if you change it on your iPhone using the app, you'll stay logged in on that iPhone app. But you'll get logged out of:

• Facebook on your laptop browser.
• The Facebook app on your iPad.
• Messenger on another device.
• Anywhere else you were logged in.

You'll need to log back in on those other devices using your new password.

Can I see my old Facebook passwords?

No. Facebook (like any reputable service) does not store your password in plain text. They only store a hashed version, which is mathematically impossible to reverse back to your actual password. Once you change it, the old hash is discarded. You cannot retrieve or view your previous Facebook passwords.

This is why it's crucial to use a password manager – *it* remembers your old passwords securely, Facebook doesn't.

Why does Facebook ask for my old password when changing to a new one?

This is a fundamental security check. It proves that you are the legitimate account owner who knows the current credentials. Without this step, anyone who momentarily accessed your device (like if you left your laptop unlocked at a coffee shop) could simply set a new password and lock you out of your own account. Annoying but necessary.

Beyond the Basics: Proactive Facebook Security Habits

Changing your password is reactive. Here's how to stay ahead:

• Password Manager is Your Best Friend: Seriously, use one. It generates strong, unique passwords for every site (including Facebook), stores them securely, and auto-fills them. You only need to remember one strong master password. It solves the reuse problem and the complexity problem instantly.
• Regularly Review Account Settings: Every few months, pop into:
  • Security and Login: Check active sessions, confirm 2FA is on, verify login alerts.
  • Personal Details: Ensure your recovery email and phone are current and correct.
  • Apps and Websites: Remove permissions for apps you no longer use.
• Beware of Phishing: Never enter your Facebook password on a site that isn't facebook.com or within the official app. Don't click "change password" links in emails claiming to be from Facebook – go directly to the site/app yourself. Look for the padlock icon in the browser bar (meaning HTTPS). Facebook will NEVER ask for your password via email.
• Keep Software Updated: Ensure your device's operating system (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) and your web browser are always up-to-date. Updates often patch security holes hackers exploit.

Wrapping Up: Changing Your Facebook Password Shouldn't Be Scary

Look, I know security stuff can feel overwhelming. But knowing how to change password on Facebook confidently – whether you remember the old one or need a full reset – is a core digital skill nowadays. It's your first line of defense.

The key takeaways?

• Keep Recovery Info Updated: Email AND phone number. Do it now if you haven't.
• Use a Strong, Unique Password: Length and complexity matter. No reuse.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Preferably with an Authenticator app. Generate and save those backup codes!
• Act Quickly if Compromised: Change password immediately + log out everywhere + check settings.
• Don't Change Regularly Without Cause: Focus on strength and uniqueness first.

Taking these steps massively reduces your risk of being hacked. It gives you peace of mind. And honestly, once you've done it a couple of times following this guide, changing your Facebook password becomes a quick, almost boring task – which is exactly what you want. Stay safe out there!