Logging into Facebook when you have lost your phone that has two-factor authentication enabled can be challenging, but there are a few options you can try to regain access to your account. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the steps you need to take and things to try if you find yourself locked out of Facebook because you no longer have the phone number used for two-factor authentication.
What is Two-Factor Authentication and How Does it Work?
Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is an extra layer of security used to make sure that even if someone knows your password, they cannot access your account without also having access to your phone.
When you enable 2FA on Facebook, you register a phone number with your account. Then, every time you log in from a new device, Facebook will send a special login code to that phone number via text message. You need to enter that code on the new device along with your password before you can successfully log in.
This means that without access to the phone number registered for 2FA, it is very difficult for someone else to log in, even if they know or guess your password. Having 2FA enabled greatly improves the security of your Facebook account.
However, it also means that if you lose your phone, you may find yourself locked out of Facebook, unable to receive the 2FA login code. Thankfully, there are ways to recover your account, which we will cover next.
Step 1: Try Logging in from a Trusted Computer or Device
The first thing to try is logging in to Facebook from a computer or device you’ve used to access your account before.
Facebook’s 2FA system recognizes trusted devices you’ve logged in from previously. So you may be able to log in normally from a known computer without needing the 2FA code.
If you see the option to “Continue” without entering a code, you’re all set! You can continue using your account as normal on that device.
However, this device trust expires after a while, so you will need to take additional steps to fully recover and secure your account going forward.
Step 2: Request a Login Code via Email
If logging in from a trusted device doesn’t work, the next option is to request a login code be sent via email instead of text:
- Go to the Facebook login page and enter your username and password.
- When prompted for the 2FA code, click the “No longer have access to these?” link.
- Choose the option to have a login code emailed to you.
This will send a 6-digit code to your email address associated with your Facebook account. Enter this code to complete the login process.
Step 3: Verify Your Identity through Account Recovery
If you cannot access the email for your Facebook account either, you will need to go through the account recovery process:
- Click the “Find Your Account” link on the Facebook login page.
- Enter your name and email or phone number used for your account.
- Facebook will ask you to verify your identity by providing info only you would know, such as locations you’ve logged in from or friends on your account.
- Once verified, you can have a recovery code sent via email to a different account, or reset your password.
This process can take a little time as Facebook thoroughly verifies your identity, but it will eventually provide you with access to your account so you can remove 2FA or add a new phone number.
Step 4: Remove and Re-enable Two-Factor Authentication
Once you regain access to your account, you should remove two-factor authentication entirely before re-enabling it with your new phone number:
- Go to the Settings page and select “Security and Login”.
- Choose “Edit” next to Two-Factor Authentication.
- Select Disable to turn off 2FA.
- Enter your password to confirm.
Now your account will no longer require a 2FA code to log in. You can then re-enable two-factor authentication, this time using your new phone number for the authentication code delivery.
Facebook will walk you through the steps to turn 2FA back on and register your current phone number. Be sure to save the provided recovery codes in case you ever need to access your account without your phone again.
Alternative Options to Remove 2FA Access
If for some reason you cannot complete account recovery, here are a couple last resort options that may work:
- Use a backup code – When you first enabled 2FA, Facebook provided 10 single-use backup codes. You can use one of these codes instead of the texted code to log in.
- Request 2FA removal – You can submit an online form to Facebook requesting permanent removal of 2FA from your account due to lack of phone access. This can take up to 15 days.
Keep in mind these options will likely only work if you previously took steps to prepare for losing your device.
Steps to Take to Avoid This Issue in the Future
Here are some tips to avoid getting permanently locked out if you lose your phone again down the road:
- Save backup codes – Store the one-time backup codes Facebook provides in case you lose access to your phone.
- Register a secondary number – Add a trusted friend or family member’s phone number as a backup for 2FA codes.
- Set up trusted contacts – Facebook allows you to nominate 3-5 friends who can help you regain access to your account if needed.
- Update your recovery email – Make sure your recovery email is up-to-date and you can access it from other devices.
- Use a password manager – Tools like LastPass can store your backup codes securely in an encrypted vault.
Enabling two-factor authentication vastly improves your account security. But you must take precautions such as these to avoid the risk of losing access to your account.
Conclusion
Losing access to your two-factor authentication phone while logged out of Facebook can be stressful. But in most cases, you can recover your account through trusted devices, email codes, identity verification, or backup codes.
Be sure to remove and re-add 2FA with your new phone number as soon as you regain access. And take preventative measures like saving backup codes and nominating trusted contacts in case you ever run into this issue again.
With proper precautions, you can confidently use two-factor authentication to lock down your Facebook account without the risk of losing access. Enable 2FA today to better protect your account from unauthorized access.
Key Steps Summary
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Try logging in from a trusted computer or device that you’ve used before |
| 2 | Request a login code to be emailed to you |
| 3 | Go through Facebook account recovery to verify your identity |
| 4 | Disable and re-enable 2FA with your new phone number |
| 5 | Consider backup codes, trusted contacts, secondary numbers for future issues |
Preventative Measures for the Future
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Save backup codes | Store the one-time use codes Facebook provides in case you lose phone access |
| Secondary phone number | Add a trusted friend or family member’s number to receive 2FA codes |
| Trusted contacts | Nominate 3-5 friends who can help you regain account access if needed |
| Recovery email | Ensure your recovery email is updated and accessible from other devices |
| Password manager | Securely store backup codes and passwords in an encrypted vault |
References
Facebook Help Center: What is Two-Factor Authentication and how does it work?
Facebook Help Center: How do I get back into my account if I lost my 2FA phone or device?
Facebook Newsroom: New Security Measures for Compromised Accounts
Google Support: 2-Step Verification recovery options
LastPass: The Last Guide For 2FA You’ll Ever Need