It can be concerning when you get a notification that your Facebook account has been logged into from another device or location. This often happens when you log in from a new phone, computer, or location for the first time. Thankfully, Facebook has steps you can take to secure your account and approve the new login.
What does the login from another device notification mean?
When you get a notification that your Facebook account has been logged in from a new device or location, it simply means that your account was accessed from a device or IP address that Facebook did not recognize. Some common reasons for this include:
- You got a new phone, computer, or tablet and logged into Facebook from it for the first time
- You logged into Facebook from a public computer or a friend’s device
- You logged in while traveling or using a new internet connection
- Someone else logged into your account from a new device
The notification is Facebook’s way of alerting you to an unusual login, in case it was not authorized. You will then have the option to secure your account by approving or rejecting the new login attempt.
Should I be worried about a login from a new device?
In most cases, a login from an unknown device is nothing to worry about. As long as you recognize that you did recently log in from a new phone, computer, or location, the notification can be safely ignored. Just approve the login attempt.
However, if you do not remember logging in from a new location recently, it could mean someone else is attempting to access your account. In this case, you may want to take precautionary steps like rejecting the login and resetting your password.
How do I approve a new login from another device?
Approving a new login attempt from another device is easy. Just follow these steps:
- When you receive the notification, tap or click “See Recent Login Activity”. This will take you to your Facebook Security settings page.
- Review the list of recent logins. If you recognize the new device, location, or IP address, tap or click “This was me”.
- You may be asked to confirm it was you by entering a code sent to your email or phone number on record.
- Once confirmed, the new device/location will be approved and remembered by Facebook as familiar.
What if I don’t recognize the new login device?
If you receive a notification about a new device login and you do not recognize or remember accessing your account from that device, take the following steps:
- Do not click “This was me”. You want to reject the unfamiliar login attempt.
- Click the “Secure Account” button instead. This will walk you through some extra security precautions.
- You may be prompted to change your Facebook password to lock out the potential unauthorized user.
- Review your login history and remove any unknown sessions. This fully logs out anyone else who may be accessing your account.
- Consider turning on two-factor authentication as an extra security layer going forward.
Taking these steps immediately after spotting an unknown login attempt will help secure your account and prevent any potential misuse by others.
How can I view and manage my login history?
To see all of your recent Facebook login activity from various devices and locations, you can visit your Facebook Settings:
- Click the down arrow at the top right of any Facebook page.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
- Click “Security and Login” in the left column.
- Select “Where You’re Logged In” to view your complete login history.
Here, you can view details on the device, location, time, and IP address of each login. You can also disconnect or log out any active sessions you don’t recognize.
How can I get notifications about logins in the future?
If you want to receive notifications every time your Facebook account is accessed from a new device or browser, you can turn on login notifications:
- Go to “Security and Login” settings.
- Turn on “Get alerts about unrecognized logins.”
With login notifications enabled, Facebook will alert you each time your account is accessed from an unfamiliar device or location. You can then easily review the login and secure your account.
Should I enable two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond your password when logging into Facebook. When turned on, you will need to provide a secondary piece of identifying information, such as:
- A code sent to your mobile phone
- A confirmation tap in the Facebook mobile app
- A security key for your account
With two-factor authentication, even someone who knows your password will not be able to access your Facebook account from an unrecognized device. It’s a great way to lock down the security of your account.
To enable two-factor authentication:
- Go to “Security and Login” in Settings.
- Select “Use Two-Factor Authentication” and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Choose a second verification method such as mobile or security key.
How can I check the security of my Facebook account?
It’s always a good idea to do a regular security check on your Facebook account. Here are some tips:
- Review your login history for any unknown sessions – log them out if found.
- Check your Security settings for any suspicious email/phone changes.
- Change your password if it’s been a long time or is used elsewhere.
- Turn on login approvals and two-factor authentication.
- Check connected apps/sites and remove any unfamiliar ones.
Staying on top of your Facebook account security will give you peace of mind that it stays secure from unauthorized access.
What if my account has been hacked or compromised?
If you believe your Facebook account has been hacked or compromised in any way, take the following steps right away:
- Log out of all active sessions from the “Where You’re Logged In” page.
- Change your password to something secure and unique.
- Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Check for any unauthorized profile changes and restore any information removed.
- Remove anything inappropriate or spam-like that the hacker may have posted.
- Report the hack to Facebook so they can take action against bad actors.
Taking swift action as soon as you notice any suspicious account activity can help limit the potential damage from a hack. Make sure your account is fully secure before using Facebook again.
Conclusion
Getting a notification about a Facebook login from another device is usually harmless. But it’s always wise to review new logins and enable extra security precautions like two-factor authentication. Keeping a close eye on your Facebook activity history and security settings will help ensure your account stays protected from unauthorized access.