How do I log into Facebook using my username?

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. Logging into your Facebook account allows you to connect with friends, family, join groups, and more. While in the past you could log in with either your email or username, Facebook has recently changed their login process so that your email is now your main login ID.

Using Your Username to Log Into Facebook

If you previously used a username to log into Facebook, you can still use this to access your account in most cases. Here are the steps to log into Facebook using your username:

Go to www.facebook.com in your internet browser. This will bring you to the Facebook login page.

Enter your username in the “Email or Phone” field. For example, if your username is “coolcat123”, you would type this into the field.
Enter your Facebook password in the password field and click “Log In”.
If your username and password are correct, you will be logged into your Facebook account and taken to your News Feed page.

In some cases, you may get an error message when trying to log in with your username. This can happen if your username was converted to an email login when Facebook switched over. If you get an error, you can try the following:

Click “Forgotten account?” under the password field. This will start the process to recover your account.
Enter your username and click Search. Facebook will search for your account.

If your account is found, enter your confirmed email or phone number to send a login link or security code.
Use the emailed link or entered code to access your account. You can then change your password if desired.

Why Facebook Uses Email for Login

In 2015, Facebook started requiring all users to provide a confirmed email or mobile number to strengthen account security. Then in 2018, Facebook switched all accounts to log in with their registered email address rather than a separate username.

There are several key reasons why Facebook made this change:

Email addresses tend to be more unique identifiers than chosen usernames. This makes it easier to confirm identities and prevent duplicate accounts.
Email helps improve account security and recovery. Emails allow password resets and login notifications to be sent if suspicious activity is detected.

Email logins enable new account features like Facebook’s Log In Approvals. This requires a security code sent to your email to login from unrecognized devices.
Usernames can’t easily be updated if needed. Email addresses provide a simple way to update your account login as your contact info changes.

While Facebook still allows username login in most cases, email is now the standard login ID going forward. This provides enhanced security and simplicity across Facebook’s platforms.

Tips for Remembering Your Facebook Email

When Facebook switched to email-based login, many people forgot which email they had associated with their account. Here are some tips to help remember your Facebook email address:

Try logging in with emails you commonly use for accounts like your personal, work, school, etc emails.
Check the emails associated with your Facebook apps like Instagram, Messenger or Oculus which may be the same.

Try remembering what email you may have used when originally creating your Facebook account.
Look for Facebook password reset emails in your inboxes which contain your Facebook email.
Use Facebook’s Find Your Account feature and enter details like your name and birthday to lookup your account email.

As a last resort, contact Facebook support for additional help remembering or recovering your registered email.

Changing Your Facebook Email Address

If needed, you can change the confirmed email associated with your Facebook login. Here is how to change your Facebook email address:

Click the down arrow icon in the top right and go to “Settings”.
Select “General” in the left sidebar.
Click “Edit” next to your current email address.

Enter your new desired email address and click “Save Changes”.
Check your new email for a confirmation code from Facebook and enter it to confirm the change.

Once you enter the confirmation code, your Facebook login email will be updated. The next time you log in, be sure to use your new email address.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

To further secure your Facebook account, you should enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven’t already. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring both your password and a temporary access code to log in.

Here is how to set up 2FA for your Facebook account:

Go to “Settings” and select “Security and Login”.

Under “Use two-factor authentication”, click “Edit”.
Select “Get Started” next to the authentication method you want to use (text messages or authentication app are recommended).
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up 2FA via text or app.

Click “Enable” to turn on 2FA. A code will now be required when you login.

With 2FA enabled, even if someone knows your password they can’t access your account without also having your phone or authentication app. This provides powerful extra protection for your Facebook account.

Recovering Your Account if Locked Out

In some cases, you may find yourself locked out of your Facebook account if you can’t remember your login email or password. Don’t worry – there are recovery options available to get back into your account.

Here are steps to recover your locked Facebook account:

Go to www.facebook.com and click “Forgotten Password” below the login fields.
Enter your email address or username and click Search.

If your account is found, choose to reset your password or regain account access.
For a password reset, enter and confirm your new password.
For account access recovery, follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your identity.

Options include verification codes via email or text, confirmation of friends, answering security questions, or submitting ID.
Once your identity is confirmed, you can reset your password and regain access.

Recovering your account may take a little time but in most cases you can get back in by verifying your information. Be sure to update your login email and password to ones you’ll easily remember.

Conclusion

While Facebook has transitioned to email-based login, you can generally still access your account using your old username in many cases. Just be sure to enter it in the email field when logging in. If you can’t recall your Facebook email, try recovery options like password reset requests or account lookups to access it again. With your email confirmed and two-factor authentication enabled, you can securely log into Facebook and reconnect with friends and family.