Your primary email on Facebook is the email address associated with your account that you use to log in, receive notifications, and reset your password. You may want to change your Facebook primary email for various reasons – you may have a new preferred email, your old email was compromised, or you want to use a more professional email for your Facebook account.
Changing your primary email on Facebook is easy to do but there are a few steps involved. Here is a complete walkthrough on how to change your primary/login email for Facebook.
Can I Change My Primary Email on Facebook?
Yes, you can change your primary/login email on Facebook through the Facebook website. There is an option to change the email in your account settings. When you change your primary email, your login email will update as well.
Here are some important things to note about changing your Facebook primary email:
- You can only change your email address once every 60 days.
- Your new email address cannot already be associated with another Facebook account.
- You will need to confirm your new email address before the change takes effect.
- You will be logged out of Facebook on all devices when the new email takes effect.
As long as your new email is not already on Facebook and you confirm the change, you can successfully update your primary email on your account.
Requirements to Change Facebook Primary Email
Here are the requirements to change your primary email address on Facebook:
- You must have access to both your current primary email on Facebook and the new email you want to switch to.
- You need to know your current Facebook password.
- You should have access to a mobile phone or device that can receive a confirmation code via SMS or text.
- You must be logged into Facebook from a browser to access the email change settings. You cannot change your primary email from the Facebook mobile app.
As long as you meet these requirements, you can change your primary Facebook email on the Facebook website. Let’s go over the detailed steps now.
Steps to Change Your Primary Email on Facebook
Follow these steps to change your primary email address on Facebook:
- Log into Facebook from a desktop browser.
- Click on the arrow in the top right and select “Settings”.
- In the left column, click “Account”.
- Under “Contact Info”, click “Edit” beside Email.
- Enter your new email address and click “Save Changes”.
- Check your new email for a confirmation code from Facebook and enter it.
- Click “Confirm” and you’re done! Your primary email will be changed.
Let’s go through these steps in more detail:
1. Log into Facebook from a Desktop Browser
First, log into your Facebook account through a desktop browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. Facebook’s email change option is only available on the desktop website, not in the mobile app.
Go to www.facebook.com and enter your current primary email and password to log in.
2. Access Your Account Settings
Once logged in, click on the down arrow icon in the top right corner of Facebook.
In the drop-down menu, select “Settings”.
This will open up your Facebook account settings page.
3. Go to Account Settings
In the left sidebar, click on “Account” to go to your account settings.
This page has options to update your personal info, manage your login, and more.
4. Edit Your Email Address
Under “Contact Info” on the account page, click on “Edit” next to your email address.
A pop-up will open allowing you to enter a new email address.
5. Enter and Save New Email
Type your new email address in the field and click “Save Changes”.
This will send a 6-digit confirmation code to your new email address.
6. Confirm Your New Email
Check the inbox of your new email and you will get a message from the Facebook email confirmation robot.
Open it up and copy the 6-digit code.
Go back to Facebook and paste the code in the confirmation pop-up box. Then click “Confirm”.
That’s it! Your primary email on Facebook will now be updated.
7. You’re Logged Out of Facebook
Once you confirm the email change, Facebook will log you out on all devices as a security measure.
You can simply log back in with your new email address and password. Your Facebook primary email is now successfully changed!
Changing Back to Your Old Email on Facebook
If you change your mind shortly after updating your email, you may be able to revert back to your old email address. Here’s how:
- Click “Cancel Change” within 5 minutes of confirming your new email. This option is on the confirmation page.
- If it’s been over 5 minutes, go to Facebook email support and request reverting to your old email. Facebook may allow this if it’s been less than 24 hours.
However, if it has been over 24 hours, you won’t be able to revert to your previous email. You will have to go through the email change process again to switch back.
Updating Your Email on Facebook Mobile App
While you can’t change your primary email directly from the Facebook mobile app, you can update the email linked to your profile.
Here’s how to update your profile email on mobile:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line menu.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then “Settings”.
- Tap “Personal and Account Information” then “Contact Info”.
- Tap “Edit” next to email and enter your new email.
This changes the email on your public Facebook profile. But your login/primary email can only be changed from a desktop browser by following the steps earlier in this article.
Reasons to Change Your Facebook Email
Here are some common reasons you may want to update your primary email on Facebook:
You Have a New Preferred Email
If you’ve started using a new email for your personal accounts, you likely want to update your Facebook login email as well for convenience.
Your Old Email Was Compromised
If your previous email linked to Facebook got hacked, changed your Facebook email immediately. This secures your account.
Want to Use a More Professional Email
If your old Facebook email is unprofessional like [email protected], changing it to something like your name makes more sense.
Fixing a Duplicate Account Issue
If Facebook shows an error that your email is linked to another account, changing your email could fix this duplicate account issue.
Important Things to Know
Here are some other key things to keep in mind when changing your Facebook primary email:
- Update your Facebook email anywhere in your settings that it’s listed, like for notifications and ad preferences.
- Your email change won’t update on Facebook Messenger. Update it manually in Messenger settings.
- Re-confirm any two-factor authentication set up on your account with your new email.
- Change your Facebook password after changing your email for extra security.
Following these best practices ensures a smooth transition when changing your Facebook login email.
Troubleshooting Facebook Email Issues
Here are some common issues and fixes when changing your primary email on Facebook:
Didn’t Get Confirmation Email
- Check spam folder
- Wait a few minutes and try resending
- Use SMS confirmation option instead
New Email Already in Use on Facebook
- Choose a different email not on Facebook
- Merge your existing account with new account
Can’t Change Email for 60 Days
- Wait 60 days from last change
- Contact Facebook support for help
Revert Change Not Showing Up
- Click cancel within 5 minutes of confirming
- If over 5 minutes, contact Facebook support
Following these troubleshooting tips will help fix most issues changing your Facebook primary email.
Conclusion
Changing your primary email on Facebook is straightforward – access your account settings, enter a new email, confirm the change, and you’re done.
Be sure your new email isn’t already on Facebook, confirm the change, update your info across Facebook products, and manage any issues with our troubleshooting tips.
With this guide, you can easily change your Facebook login email so it’s up-to-date.