Having an unknown or unfamiliar email address connected to your Facebook account can be concerning. You may wonder how it got there, if your account security has been compromised, and how to remove it. Removing an unknown email address from your Facebook account is thankfully a straightforward process.
What is an Unknown Email Address?
An unknown or unfamiliar email address on your Facebook account refers to any email address that you did not add yourself. There are a few potential reasons an unknown email could be linked to your account:
- Someone else added the email by mistake when trying to create their own Facebook account.
- The email was added when your account was compromised by a hacker or scammer.
- Facebook connected the email automatically if you used it previously to register for another Facebook product like Instagram or Oculus.
In most cases, an unknown email on your Facebook account does not necessarily mean your account security has been compromised. But it’s still a good idea to remove any emails you don’t recognize to prevent access to your account.
How to View Connected Emails on Facebook
To view all of the emails currently connected to your Facebook account:
- Go to your Facebook profile and click on the down arrow in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then click “Settings”.
- On the left sidebar, click “Security and Login”.
- Under “Contact Information”, you will see a list of all emails and phone numbers connected to your account.
Review this list to identify any emails you do not recognize or did not add yourself. These are the unknown emails you will want to remove.
Removing an Unknown Email Address in Facebook App
If you access Facebook primarily through the mobile app, here are the steps to remove an unknown email:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line menu icon in the top right.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then “Settings”.
- Tap “Security and Login”.
- Tap “Contact Information”.
- Tap the red “X” icon next to the unknown email address to remove it.
- Confirm you want to remove this email when prompted.
The email address will immediately be disconnected and removed from your Facebook account.
Removing an Unknown Email Address on Facebook Website
To remove an unknown email from your Facebook account using the desktop website:
- Go to your Facebook profile and click the down arrow in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy”, then click “Settings”.
- Click “Security and Login” in the left sidebar.
- Under “Contact Information”, locate the unknown email and click “Remove”.
- Confirm you want to remove the email by clicking “Yes” when prompted.
Once again, this will instantly disconnect and delete the unknown email from your Facebook account.
Require Email Confirmation to Add New Emails
To prevent unknown emails from being added in the future without your knowledge, you can enable email confirmation for new emails:
- Go to “Settings” then “Security and Login”.
- Under “Use Two-Factor Authentication”, click “Edit”.
- Turn on the toggle for “Require confirmation code to add new emails”.
- Click “Close” to save the setting.
Now whenever a new email address is added to your Facebook account, you will receive a confirmation code via email that must be entered before the email is connected. This provides an extra layer of security.
Change Your Facebook Password
After removing an unknown email address, it’s also a smart security measure to change your Facebook password. This prevents anyone who may have accessed your account from doing so again.
To change your password:
- Go to “Settings” and click “Security and Login”.
- Under “Password”, click “Edit”.
- Enter your current password, then enter and confirm your new password.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Be sure your new password is strong and unique to Facebook.
Enable Login Approvals
Login approvals provide even more account security by requiring a secondary confirmation code whenever someone tries accessing your Facebook account from an unrecognized device.
To turn this on:
- Go to “Settings” then “Security and Login”.
- Under “Use Two-Factor Authentication”, click “Edit”.
- Turn on “Require a login code to access my account from unknown browsers”.
- Click “Close”.
You will now receive login codes by text, email or authentication app whenever your Facebook account is accessed somewhere new.
Check Linked Accounts
Since Facebook can pull in emails from accounts connected to Instagram, Messenger or Oculus, it’s a good idea to check your connected accounts as well.
To view and remove any linked accounts you don’t recognize:
- Go to “Settings” and click “Security and Login”.
- Under “Where You’re Logged In”, click “See All”.
- Review the list of connected accounts and remove any you don’t recognize.
This ensures there are no unauthorized accounts linked that could be contributing to unknown emails on your Facebook profile.
Review Recent Logins
You can also check for any recent Facebook logins that seem suspicious as a final security check:
- Go to “Settings” and click “Security and Login”.
- Under “Where You’re Logged In”, click “See Recent Logins”.
- Review the list for any logins from unknown locations, browsers or devices.
- Click “Not You?” next to any suspicious logins to secure your account.
This lets you confirm only authorized devices are accessing your Facebook account.
Conclusion
Removing an unknown or unauthorized email address from your Facebook account is a smart way to protect your security and privacy. By following the steps outlined above, you can:
- Identify and disconnect any unknown emails
- Enable email confirmation for new emails
- Change your password
- Turn on login approvals
- Review connected accounts
- Check recent logins
Taking these measures will help ensure your Facebook account stays secure from unwanted access. Disconnecting unknown emails also prevents any confusion or miscommunication since you will only receive notifications intended for you. Be proactive about monitoring connected accounts and enabling security settings to keep your Facebook account safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did an unknown email address get linked to my Facebook account?
There are a few potential reasons an unknown email could be linked to your Facebook account:
- Someone else mistakenly added it when trying to create their own account
- The email was added by a hacker or scammer who compromised your account
- Facebook connected it automatically if you used the email previously for Instagram, Oculus, etc.
In most cases it does not necessarily mean your account security was compromised.
Can someone access my Facebook account with the unknown email?
Possibly, if the email address was added by an account hacker or scammer. They could use it to reset your password and access your account. This is why it’s important to remove any unknown emails right away.
How can I prevent unknown emails being added in the future?
Turn on email confirmation for new emails in your Facebook settings. This requires verifying any newly added emails with a confirmation code sent to that email address.
What happens when I remove an unknown email address?
The email will be permanently disconnected and deleted from your Facebook account. Any notifications sent to that email will stop. Your primary email, security settings, and account access will not be affected.
Should I change my Facebook password after removing an unknown email?
Yes, it’s recommended to change your password after removing an unknown email as a precaution. Use a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized access.
How can I further secure my Facebook account?
Other tips include enabling two-factor authentication, reviewing connected accounts, monitoring recent logins, and using strong unique passwords for Facebook and associated accounts. Being proactive about security is key.
Summary
Here are the key steps to remove an unknown email from your Facebook account:
- Go to Settings > Security and Login > Contact Information
- Identify any unfamiliar emails
- Click Remove next to the unknown email
- Confirm you want to remove the email
- Consider changing your password, enabling login approvals, and reviewing connected accounts
Taking these steps will disconnect the unknown email, protect your account, and give you peace of mind knowing exactly which emails are associated with your Facebook profile.