There are a few common reasons why you may have received a Facebook confirmation code recently:
You logged in from a new device or location
Facebook will often send a confirmation code if you try to login from a device or location it doesn’t recognize. This is a security measure to confirm your identity and prevent unauthorized access to your account.
So if you recently logged into Facebook from a new phone, computer, or location, this likely triggered the confirmation code prompt. Facebook wants to make sure it’s really you accessing the account.
You changed your password or enabled two-factor authentication
Whenever you change your Facebook password or turn on two-factor authentication, Facebook will send a confirmation code to verify the change. This prevents hackers from changing your password without access to your phone or email.
If you recently took either of these security measures with your Facebook account, entering the confirmation code is the next step to complete the process.
Someone tried to log in to your account
If there was a failed login attempt from an unrecognized device or location, Facebook will lock the account and require a confirmation code on the next login. This prevents unauthorized access if someone enters the wrong password.
So if you received a login attempt notification, the confirmation code is Facebook double checking that it’s really you trying to access the account.
You updated your account information
Facebook will sometimes require confirmation codes when you make changes to sensitive account information, such as your phone number, email address, or date of birth. This prevents malicious changes by someone who may have briefly accessed your account.
If you recently updated any of your personal info, you’ll need to enter the confirmation code Facebook sent to complete the change.
You reported suspicious activity
If you ever report suspicious activity on your account through Facebook’s security options, they will take extra precautions to confirm your identity next time you log in. This prevents further unauthorized access.
So if you recently reported strange behavior, the confirmation code is just Facebook taking extra steps to secure your account.
You’re setting up Facebook Pay
In order to use Facebook Pay to make purchases or send money, you need to add a payment method. When going through this setup process, Facebook will send a code to verify your identity.
If you’re trying to configure Facebook Pay, you’ll have to enter the confirmation code as part of the initial setup.
You’re using Account Recovery
If you ever become locked out of your Facebook account, you can use the account recovery process to regain access. This involves confirming your identity through codes sent to your email or phone number.
So if you’re going through the account recovery process, the confirmation code is a necessary step to prove the account is really yours.
You’re setting up Facebook Protect
Facebook Protect provides extra security for accounts that belong to public figures, journalists, human rights defenders, and other at-risk users. Turning this on requires confirming your identity through a code.
If you’re eligible and trying to enable Facebook Protect, you’ll receive a code that needs to be entered to complete the activation.
You’re creating a Facebook Page
When creating a new Facebook Page for a business, brand, organization or public figure, you may need to go through an identity confirmation process. This verifies the legitimacy of the Page.
If you’re making a new Page, entering the confirmation code is one of the steps to get it up and running.
You’re using a login code
As an alternative to passwords, you can use login codes to access your Facebook account. This optional security feature texts you a special code each time you need to log in.
So if you have login codes enabled, you’ll need to enter the code Facebook texts you in order to access your account.
You’re setting up Facebook Dating
To use Facebook Dating, you first need to create a dating profile and agree to additional terms of service. Part of this setup process involves confirming it’s really you through a code.
If you’re trying to access Dating, completing your profile requires entering the code Facebook sends.
You’re using extra security for ads
If you turn on “Added Security for Ads” in your Facebook settings, you’ll get occasional confirmation codes when interacting with ads. This provides an extra layer of security.
So if you have this setting enabled, you may need to enter a code after clicking on some ads before being able to view the content.
You’re using confirmation codes for purchases
As an optional security measure, you can require confirmation codes to complete purchases made through Facebook. This prevents unauthorized transactions.
So if you have this activated, you’ll need to enter a code when making all Facebook purchases as an identity check.
You’re confirming an account merge
If you ever try to merge two Facebook accounts together, you’ll receive a confirmation code to authorize the merge. Both accounts must confirm their identity this way.
Completing an account merge requires entering the codes sent to each account’s email or phone number.
You’re confirming your ad preferences
Facebook may occasionally ask you to confirm your ad preferences by entering a code. This verifies the categories you’ve selected to see relevant ads.
If your ad preferences need reconfirmation, you’ll have to enter the latest code to keep those settings applied.
Conclusion
In summary, Facebook confirmation codes are almost always related to identity verification. If you receive one, it means Facebook wants to double check that it’s really you trying to access your account or make changes.
The most common reasons are logging in from a new location, changing security settings, reporting suspicious activity, making account changes, or setting up new features. Confirmation codes provide an important layer of security for your Facebook account.
If you receive a code unexpectedly, it could signal that someone else is trying to access your account. But in most cases it’s triggered by your own actions like a login, password change, or new setup process. Entering the code allows Facebook to confirm it’s really you and not someone unauthorized.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Logging in from a new device or location | Facebook sends a code when you login from an unrecognized device or location to confirm your identity and prevent unauthorized access. |
| Changing your password or enabling two-factor authentication | A confirmation code is required when you change security settings like your password or enable two-factor authentication. |
| A failed login attempt | If someone enters the wrong password, Facebook will require a code on the next login attempt to prevent unauthorized access. |
| Updating your personal account information | Facebook sometimes requires confirmation codes when you change sensitive account info like your phone number, email, or date of birth. |
| Reporting suspicious activity | If you report strange behavior through Facebook’s security options, they’ll require a code on your next login as a precaution. |
| Setting up Facebook Pay | A confirmation code is needed when adding a payment method to set up Facebook Pay. |
| Using Facebook Account Recovery | If you become locked out, account recovery involves confirming your identity through codes sent to your email or phone. |
| Enabling Facebook Protect | Turning on the extra security of Facebook Protect for public figures requires confirming your identity with a code. |
| Creating a Facebook Page | New Facebook Pages often require confirmation codes during setup to verify the Page creator’s identity. |
| Using login codes | If you use login codes instead of a password, you’ll need to enter the code Facebook texts you each time you log in. |
| Setting up Facebook Dating | Creating a dating profile requires identity confirmation through a code as part of the setup process. |
| Interacting with Facebook ads | If you enable “Added Security for Ads”, you may need to enter codes after clicking on some ads before viewing them. |
| Making purchases through Facebook | You can require confirmation codes to complete all Facebook purchases as an optional security measure. |
| Confirming an account merge | Merging two Facebook accounts together requires both accounts to confirm the merge through codes. |
| Reconfirming your ad preferences | Facebook may sometimes ask you to reconfirm your ad category selections through a confirmation code. |
When to be concerned about Facebook confirmation codes
In most cases, a Facebook confirmation code is nothing to worry about. But there are a few circumstances where it may signal something problematic:
You didn’t trigger the code
If you’re getting an unexpected code without trying to login, change account settings, or set up a new feature, that could mean someone else is trying to access your account. Facebook forces confirmation codes when it detects suspicious behavior.
The code doesn’t work
If you’re entering the code Facebook sent but it’s not being accepted, that’s a red flag. It likely means someone else has access and changed your contact info for receiving codes. In this case, contact Facebook immediately.
You’re locked out of your account
Repeated login attempts by a hacker can get your account locked down until you enter the right confirmation code. If you suddenly can’t access your account, be on alert for any messages from Facebook with a code.
You get a code about an unknown device
If the notification says the code is due to a login from an unrecognized device, but you didn’t actually log in anywhere new, your account may be compromised. Report this to Facebook.
Someone claims to need your code
Beware of any messages claiming to be from Facebook tech support or a friend, asking you to send them your confirmation code. This is a scam attempt to steal your account.
What to do when you get a Facebook confirmation code
Whenever you receive an authentic confirmation code from Facebook, here are the steps to take:
- Open the Facebook app or website and go to where you can enter the code (settings, login page, etc.)
- Enter the 6-digit code from the text or email you received
- Complete the action that required confirmation (logging in, changing your security settings, etc.)
- If the code doesn’t work, double check that you entered it correctly
- If it still doesn’t work, try having the code resent to your phone or email
- As a last resort, go through Facebook’s account recovery process to regain access
If at any point the code seems suspicious or you believe your account may be compromised, contact Facebook support right away to investigate. Don’t give the code to anyone else or enter it anywhere outside the official Facebook site or app.
How to avoid getting Facebook confirmation codes
If you’re annoyed by getting too many Facebook confirmation codes, there are a few ways to cut down on them:
- Don’t login from new devices frequently. Stick to phones and computers Facebook recognizes.
- Avoid changing your password or security settings too often.
- Be careful about logging in from new locations, like when traveling.
- Don’t update your personal account info unless absolutely necessary.
- Turn off login approvals if you don’t have a need for that level of security.
- Don’t sign up for features like Facebook Pay or Dating if you won’t really use them.
- Make sure you properly logout of Facebook on any shared or public devices.
However, it’s best not to disable confirmation codes completely, as they do provide important account security. You may just have to get used to occasionally entering codes as an essential measure to protect your Facebook account.
Conclusion
Getting a Facebook confirmation code may seem strange at first, but it’s most often triggered by your own actions like logging in somewhere new or changing security settings. The codes are an essential part of Facebook’s measures to protect your account.
That said, unexpected codes or ones that don’t work could signal an issue with your account. It’s key to remain vigilant about scam attempts asking for your code too. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact Facebook support for help securing your account.
With the prevalence of hacking and data breaches today, having to occasionally enter a code is a small price to pay for keeping your account safe. Facebook confirmation codes may seem inconvenient, but in most cases they’re protecting you and your data.
So next time you get one, take a moment to consider what triggered it and what the code is actually trying to help you accomplish. When viewed as extra protection for your account, confirmation codes are an important step well worth taking.