Facebook allows users to log in using either their email address or phone number. Both options provide access to your Facebook account, but there are some differences between logging in with email vs phone number.
Logging In With Email
The most common way to log in to Facebook is by using your email address. When you first create your Facebook account, you need to provide an email address that will be associated with your profile. This email serves as your primary login for accessing Facebook across devices and platforms.
To log in with your email:
- Go to www.facebook.com and click “Log In” in the top right corner
- Enter your email address in the “Email or Phone” field
- Enter your Facebook password and click “Log In”
Facebook will send you an email confirmation code the first time you try logging in from a new device. This extra step helps protect your account’s security.
The main benefits of logging in with email are:
- Your email address never changes, so it’s reliable for accessing your account long-term
- Email logins allow you to utilize Facebook’s security features like login approvals and two-factor authentication
- Your email address may autofill on login screens for convenience
Logging In With Phone Number
Facebook also gives you the option to log in using your phone number instead of email address. To do this, you first need to add a confirmed phone number to your Facebook account.
Here are the steps for logging in with a phone number:
- Go to www.facebook.com and click “Log In”
- Enter your phone number in the “Email or Phone” field
- Enter your Facebook password and click “Log In”
Facebook will text you a confirmation code the first time you try logging in from a new device. Entering that code allows you access to your account.
The benefits of using a phone number to log in include:
- Easy access if you don’t remember your email password
- Convenience if you have your phone number memorized
- Option to use SMS-based two-factor authentication
Managing Login Options
You can add both a confirmed email and phone number to your Facebook account. This gives you the flexibility to log in with either method.
Here are some tips for managing your Facebook login options:
- Add a phone number as a backup login method in case you forget your email password
- Use your email address when logging in on a computer
- Use your phone number when logging in on your mobile device
- Set up two-factor authentication using SMS texts for extra security
- Remove old email addresses or phone numbers you no longer use to access your account
Resetting Your Password
If you ever forget your Facebook password, you can reset it using either your email address or phone number on file.
To reset your password with email:
- Click “Forgot Password” on the Facebook login page
- Enter the email address associated with your account
- Facebook will email you a password reset link
- Click the reset link and create a new password
To reset your password with SMS text:
- Click “Forgot Password” on the Facebook login page
- Enter your phone number associated with your account
- Facebook will text you a password reset code
- Enter the code and create a new password
Resetting your password via email or SMS ensures you can get back into your account if you ever get locked out.
Two-Factor Authentication
For extra security, enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account. This requires you to enter a second code in addition to your password when logging in.
You can set up two-factor authentication using either:
- Email – Facebook emails you a login code
- SMS text – Facebook texts you a login code
- Authentication app – Use a third party app like Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile to generate codes
- Security key – Use a physical security key device to authorize logins
Two-factor authentication prevents unauthorized access to your account even if someone knows your password.
Logging Out of All Sessions
A handy Facebook security feature is the ability to log out of all active sessions. This signs you out everywhere you’re currently logged in – on your phone, computer, tablet, etc.
Here are the steps to log out of all sessions:
- Click the account menu (top right) > Settings & Privacy
- Click Security and Login
- Click “Log Out of All Sessions”
Use this if you think your account may be compromised or want to logout everywhere at once. You’ll need to reenter your login details on each device afterwards.
Deactivating vs. Deleting Your Account
If you need an extended break from Facebook, you can temporarily deactivate your account instead of fully deleting it. Here’s the difference:
- Deactivate – Temporarily disables your profile but saves all data. You can easily reactivate.
- Delete – Completely erases your account and all data. Much harder to restore.
Deactivating your account lets you take a break while preserving your info and ability to log back in later. Deleting is permanent and removes all your data.
Conclusion
Facebook offers users the flexibility to log in using either an email address or phone number associated with their account. Email logins are best for convenience and security features. Phone number logins provide mobile-friendly access.
Manage your login methods in your Facebook account settings. Enable two-factor authentication for extra security. Use password reset if you get locked out. Overall, having both email and phone login options ensures reliable access to your Facebook account when needed.