What if I forgot my FB password and email?

Forgetting your Facebook password and email can be a frustrating situation. Without access to your account, you are locked out from connecting with friends and family on the platform. However, there are steps you can take to recover your account and reset your password even without access to the email associated with your Facebook profile.

Why did I forget my Facebook password and email?

There are a few common reasons why someone may forget their Facebook login credentials:

It’s been a long time since you logged in – If you don’t access your Facebook account regularly, it’s easy to forget your password and which email you used to sign up.

You have multiple email accounts – When you have several email addresses, it can be difficult to remember which one is connected to your Facebook profile.
You’ve changed emails or phone numbers since creating your account – If the email or phone number linked to your Facebook is no longer active, you may not have access to password reset options.
You’ve been locked out by Facebook security – Sometimes overly sensitive security algorithms will lock users out of their accounts unexpectedly.

You’ve been hacked – Hackers that gain access to your account may change login credentials to lock you out.

Regardless of the reason, being locked out of your Facebook account can be frustrating. The good news is there are ways to recover and reset your password even without access to your linked email.

I don’t have access to my email. How can I reset my Facebook password?

If you don’t have access to the email associated with your Facebook account, you still have options to reset your password. Here are the steps to take:

Go to Facebook.com and click the “Forgot Password” link.
Facebook will first prompt you to enter your email to send a password reset link. Since you don’t have access to this email, click the link that says “No longer have access to these?”
Next, Facebook will ask you to verify your identity in one of the following ways:
- Phone number – Enter a phone number you have previously associated with your Facebook account.
- Trusted friend – Enter the name of a friend on Facebook you trust who can confirm your identity.
- Saved password – Enter a previous password you’ve used for the account that Facebook still has on record.
- Facebook backup codes – Enter a backup code provided by Facebook when you enabled two-factor authentication.
- Recent locations – Select locations you’ve recently logged in to Facebook from, based on your device information.
After verifying your identity through one of the options, Facebook will allow you to reset your password and regain access to your account.

The key is being able to confirm your identity through trusted information connected to your account, even without access to your linked email. As long as you can provide a phone number, friend name, old password, backup code, or login location, Facebook will let you reset your credentials.

What if I don’t have any other information linked to my account?

If none of the identity verification options work because you have no other trusted information associated with your Facebook profile, you can still regain access by contacting Facebook support directly. Here’s how:

Visit the Facebook Help Center and click “My Account Was Hacked”.

Select “No” when asked if you can access your email, then choose “I can’t reset my password” on the next screen.
Click “No longer have access” when asked to confirm the email on your Facebook account.
Select “I don’t have any other way to authenticate” on the next page.

Fill out the online form describing your situation and providing any details about your account that may help Facebook verify you as the legitimate account owner.

Once you submit this request, Facebook will investigate your report and try to confirm your identity based on the information you provided. This process may take up to a few days. If they can verify you are the account owner, they will reset your password and allow you back into your Facebook profile.

Best practices to avoid getting locked out of Facebook

While it is possible to recover your Facebook access without an email, it is still best to avoid getting locked out in the first place. Here are some tips:

Add a mobile number and trusted friend – Associate your mobile number and choose a trusted friend in your Facebook settings. This provides additional options to verify your identity.
Enable two-factor authentication – Adding an extra layer of security requires you to enter a code from your mobile device when logging in from new locations.
Frequently change your password – Don’t keep the same Facebook password for years. Periodically update it to a new, strong password.

Make sure your recovery email is current – Keep the email associated with your Facebook account active and accessible as a backup.
Save your backup codes – If you turn on two-factor authentication, store your one-time backup codes in a safe place.
Review login notifications – Check notifications for logins from unrecognized locations that may indicate hacking.

Practicing strong password hygiene and utilizing Facebook’s security features minimizes the chances of getting locked out. But even if you do forget your password and lose access to your connected email, Facebook still provides ways to recover your account.

What’s the deal with Facebook deleting accounts after 6 months of inactivity?

Facebook has a policy of deleting user accounts that remain continuously inactive for 6 months or more. This policy aims to:

Free up names for new users – Facebook has millions of registered accounts. Deleting unused ones frees up unique usernames.

Enhance security – Inactive accounts are more vulnerable to hacking attempts. Deleting them reduces this risk.
Comply with laws – In some jurisdictions, there are data privacy laws that require deleting unused accounts.
Save storage space – Removing inactive profiles saves Facebook server storage capacity.

However, before an inactive Facebook account is deleted, the user will receive multiple notifications prompting them to log in. These notices are sent via email and any other contact info associated with the account.

If the user fails to log in after receiving several months of notifications, Facebook will permanently delete the account and associated data. Most users can avoid deletion by simply logging in at least once every 6 months.

How long before Facebook deletes an inactive account?

Here are the general timelines for Facebook’s inactive account deletion process:

After 6 months of no activity – Account owner receives initial email notice.
After 7 months of no activity – Account owner receives follow up email notice.
After 18 months of no activity – Final email notice is sent to account owner.

After 24 months of no activity – Facebook permanently deletes the inactive account.

So in total, an account can remain untouched for up to 2 years before being removed. But most users avoid deletion simply by logging in after receiving the first couple of notices from Facebook.

Can a deleted Facebook account be restored?

In most cases, a Facebook account can be restored within 30 days of being deleted through the following steps:

Login to Facebook with another active account you own.
Visit the Help Center and search for “permanently deleted account.”
Follow the steps to request restoration of your recently deleted account.

However, after 30 days, Facebook deletes all personally identifiable account info and does not allow recovered. The username also becomes available to be claimed by a new account.

So be sure to act within 30 days if you want a deleted account restored. Avoid the issue altogether by logging in routinely every 6 months.

I got hacked – How do I get my Facebook account back?

Getting your Facebook account hacked can be a nightmare, allowing cybercriminals to access your private information, post inappropriate content, or message your friends. If you notice suspicious activity on your account, here are the steps to regain control:

Log out of Facebook – From any device, open Facebook and log out of your account, then close the browser completely.
Run anti-virus software – Check all your devices for malware that may be stealing Facebook login info.
Change passwords – Update passwords for all important accounts, not just Facebook.

Report hacked account – File a report through Facebook’s reporting form detailing the hack.
Review recent activity – Check actions taken on your account while compromised.
Remove unauthorized changes – Delete posts, messages, or new friend requests made by the hacker.

Secure your account – Turn on login notifications and two-factor authentication.
Warn friends – Let close connections know your account was hacked in case they received odd messages.

Staying vigilant for suspicious activity and reporting hacked accounts quickly can help limit the damage. Make sure to take preventative measures as well, like avoiding using the same password across multiple accounts.

How can I tell if my Facebook was hacked?

Here are some signs that may indicate your Facebook was compromised by hackers:

Posts you didn’t create appear on your Timeline.
You have new friends you don’t recognize.

Private messages were sent that you didn’t send.
Emails from Facebook about changes you didn’t make.
The hacker changed your profile picture or other account info.

Your password no longer works and you’re logged out.
You see login alerts from unknown locations.
Friends tell you they received suspicious messages.

As soon as you notice any suspicious activity, start the process of securing and recovering your account.

How can I better secure my Facebook account?

Practicing good password “hygiene” is key to keeping your Facebook secure:

Unique password – Don’t reuse passwords across multiple sites.

Complex password – Mix upper/lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
Password manager – Use a program to generate and store passwords.
Two-factor authentication – Add a second credential check like SMS code.

Enabling all the security features Facebook provides is also recommended. Being vigilant against phishing attempts and malware is also key.

Should I just delete my Facebook account?

With all the headaches around getting locked out or hacked, you may be wondering if it’s even worth having a Facebook account. Here are some pros and cons of deleting Facebook to consider:

Pros of deleting Facebook

More privacy and security – Removes risk of hackers accessing your profile.
Avoid embarrassing posts – Old posts come back to haunt people sometimes.

Less wasted time – Facebook can be a big time sink for some users.
No advertising data collection – Facebook won’t track your activity for ad targeting.
Stay focused on real life – Less social media, more real world interactions.

Cons of deleting Facebook

Lose connections – Difficult to keep in touch with certain friends without Facebook.
Miss events and news – Many local events and groups rely on Facebook.
Less access to contacts – Useful for finding old classmates or co-workers.

Can’t access Facebook-only services – Some apps/sites require Facebook accounts.
Permanently gone – Unlike disabling account, deletion is irreversible.

Overall, the risks and benefits will depend on how much you currently use Facebook and what role it serves for your friendships and interests. For many, a 30-day “Facebook detox” is preferable to permanent deletion.

Conclusion

Getting locked out of Facebook due to a forgotten password or email can certainly be inconvenient. But in most cases, you can recover access to your account through identity verification or by contacting Facebook support.

To avoid issues in the first place, be sure to strengthen your login credentials, enable two-factor authentication, and periodically review your security settings. Stay vigilant for phishing attempts or other suspicious activity that may indicate your account was hacked.

With over 2 billion users, Facebook comes with inherent risks around privacy and security. However, taking preventative measures and acting quickly if your account is compromised will help minimize headaches and protect your personal information.