Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2.9 billion monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2022. With so many users, security and privacy are common concerns, especially when people access Facebook from multiple devices. Fortunately, Facebook provides tools to restrict account access across devices. Implementing these tools allows you to protect your account if a device becomes compromised.
Why Restrict Access on Multiple Devices?
There are a few key reasons you may want to restrict Facebook access on some devices:
- Prevent access if a device is lost or stolen – If your phone, tablet, or computer gets lost or stolen, you likely don’t want a stranger having full access to your Facebook account.
- Limit use on shared devices – If you access Facebook from a shared or public computer, like at a library, restricting access prevents others from getting into your account after you’re done.
- Control access for kids and others – You may want to limit Facebook use for children or others who share your devices. Restricting access lets you control when and how they can use Facebook.
Without the proper restrictions, anyone with access to one of your devices could potentially access your Facebook account and pretend to be you. Restricting access helps prevent improper use and potential security risks.
Require Login Approvals
One of the best ways to restrict Facebook access on your various devices is to require login approvals. This adds an extra step when logging in from new devices to confirm it’s really you.
Here’s how to set up login approvals:
- Click on the arrow in the top right and go to “Settings”.
- Select “Security and Login” from the left menu.
- Under “Use two-factor authentication”, click “Edit”.
- Toggle the setting to “On” to enable requiring a code to login.
- Choose your confirmation method such as text message or authentication app.
Once enabled, you’ll need to enter a code sent to your confirmation method in addition to your password when logging into a new device for the first time. This adds extra account protection.
Login Notifications
Another helpful security feature is login notifications. This sends you a notification whenever your Facebook account is accessed from a new device. Here’s how to turn it on:
- Go to “Settings” and select “Security and Login”.
- Under “Use two-factor authentication”, select “Edit”.
- Toggle “Get alerts about unrecognized logins” to “On”.
With login notifications enabled, Facebook will alert you immediately if an unrecognized device signs into your account. You’ll know right away if an unauthorized person accesses your account.
Trusted Contacts
For extra security, add trusted contacts who can help you regain access to your account if needed. Here’s how it works:
- Go to “Settings” and select “Security and Login”.
- Under “Trusted Contacts” select “Edit”.
- Enter the names or email addresses of people to add as trusted contacts.
- If you ever get locked out of your account, Facebook will give your trusted contacts a special one-time code to send you to regain access.
Having trusted contacts set up gives you a backup option if you encounter login problems. Just make sure you pick trusted individuals for this role.
Limit Which Devices Are Logged In
You can also proactively manage which devices stay logged into your Facebook account over time. Here are two useful options:
Log out of specific sessions
- Go to “Settings” and choose “Security and Login”
- Select “See All” under “Active Sessions”
- Review the list of devices and locations currently logged into your account
- Click “Log Out” next to any sessions you want to terminate access for
Logging out specific sessions is an easy way to revoke access to devices you no longer use or recognize.
Log out of all sessions
If you want a clean slate, you can log out of Facebook on all devices simultaneously:
- Go to “Settings” and select “Security and Login”
- Under “Active Sessions” click “Log Out Of All Sessions”
- Enter your password to confirm you want to log out everywhere
This logs you out of every phone, tablet, computer, and any other device that’s logged into your account. You’ll have to log back in on every device again later. Only use this if you really want to reset everything.
Use the Facebook Mobile App
The Facebook mobile app provides additional tools to restrict and manage account access. Here are some useful options:
App-based two-factor authentication
You can require a special code generated from the Facebook mobile app any time your account is accessed from a new device. Just go into your User Settings, select Security and Login, and turn on Login Approvals. Then edit your approval method and switch to using codes from the Facebook app instead of text messages or other methods.
Get alerts about unrecognized logins
Similar to website login notifications, you can set up the Facebook app to alert you whenever your account is accessed from a new device. Go into User Settings, Security and Login, Use Two-Factor Authentication, and toggle on alerts for unrecognized logins.
Manage where you’re logged in
See all the places your account is active and log out of specific sessions directly from the Facebook app. Just go into the app’s Settings & Privacy menu.
Set Up Device Passwords
For mobile devices you use regularly, like your smartphone, you can assign a special device password. This allows the device to access your Facebook account without constantly re-entering your main account password.
Here’s how to set up a device password:
- Open the Facebook app on the mobile device
- Go to More Options > Settings & Privacy
- Tap “Device Passwords” and enter your account password
- Toggle on “Create Device Password”
- Name the device and tap “Create Password”
Once set up, you can log into Facebook on that device just using the special password. This makes accessing Facebook quick and convenient on your regular personal devices.
Limit Access to Specific Data
If you want to restrict access to certain Facebook data and features, there are options to do so:
Disable platform access
You can disable platform integration so third-party apps and websites can’t access your Facebook info. Go to Settings > Apps and Websites to revoke their access.
Limit old posts visibility
Use the “Limit Past Posts” tool to restrict visibility of old posts to just yourself. Go to Settings > Privacy to set this up.
Unfollow friends or Pages
If you don’t want certain connections seeing your posts, unfollow those friends or Pages. They won’t see your updates while staying connected.
List Restrictions
Custom friend lists let you share specific posts with just certain connections. Create Lists under Friends > Lists.
Block users
Completely block specific people from interacting with you or seeing your profile content. Just go to their profile and select Block.
Secure Your Account After Changes
After making major changes to restrict account access, it’s smart to take a few additional steps to lock down your account.
Change your password
Update your Facebook password to something secure and unique. This prevents anyone who previously had the password from access.
Review privacy settings
Double check that your security and privacy settings are configured the way you want. Tighten settings for sharing, visibility and data access.
Check login activity
Review recent account logins under Security & Login to spot any unauthorized access. Make sure you recognize all recent sessions.
Taking these extra steps helps ensure your changes take full effect after restricting device access.
Special Cases
There are a few special scenarios that require tailored solutions:
Restricting kids’ access
For younger Facebook users, set up a child account connected to yours. This allows monitoring and restricting permissions.
Shared devices
On truly shared devices, maintain separate user accounts and log out fully after each Facebook session.
Compromised account
If you believe your account was compromised, change the password, enable two-factor authentication, review sessions and alert friends of unauthorized activity.
Lost phone
If you lose your phone, use Find My Mobile to remotely erase data. Also change your Facebook password.
Abusive account access
If someone is improperly accessing your account, report the issue to Facebook right away for help regaining sole access.
Conclusion
Restricting Facebook access on multiple devices takes a bit of effort, but is worth it to protect your account. The key steps include:
- Requiring login approvals
- Using login notifications
- Adding trusted contacts
- Logging out of specific sessions
- Leveraging the Facebook mobile app
- Setting device passwords
- Limiting access to data
- Securing your account after making changes
Paying close attention to where and how your account is accessed, and limiting permissions, will help keep your Facebook profile secure. Take advantage of all the tools Facebook provides and implement these best practices for restricting device access.