# How to Recover Your Facebook Password: Step-by-Step Guide

Forgetting a password is frustrating, but Facebook provides multiple recovery methods to help you regain access. This guide walks you through the safest, most effective steps — from quick password resets to identity verification — and explains what to do if standard methods fail.

### 1. Start with the “Forgot Password” flow

Go to the Facebook login page (facebook.com) and click Forgotten password? (or Forgot account?).

Enter the email address, phone number, username, or full name associated with your account and click Search.

Facebook will show matching accounts. Choose yours and pick a recovery option — typically an email or SMS code.

Enter the code you receive and follow the prompts to create a new password.

## Tips:

Use a strong, unique password you haven’t used elsewhere.

If you don’t see the reset email, check spam/junk folders and any archived folders.

### 2. If you can’t access the email or phone number listed

Sometimes your account uses an old email or number you no longer control. Try these options:

Check for alternative emails or numbers

When searching, Facebook may show partial info (like j****@g***.com)—this can remind you which address or provider you used.

Try other email addresses or phone numbers you own.

Use a device or location you’ve used before

Reset attempts from a familiar device (home computer, phone) or location are less likely to trigger extra verification and may offer additional recovery routes.

### 3. Use Trusted Contacts (if you set them up)

If you previously added Trusted Contacts:

Click Forgotten password?, find your account, and click No longer have access to these?

Enter a new contact email you can currently use.

Choose Reveal My Trusted Contacts and type the full name of one of them.

Facebook will provide a special URL that your trusted contacts can open to get a recovery code. They must send you that code so you can use it to access your account.

Make sure trusted contacts are people you can reach immediately (close friends or family).

### 4. Account compromised? Use Facebook’s compromised account flow

If you think someone else changed your password or email:

Go to facebook.com/hacked and follow the guided steps. Facebook will walk you through securing the account by confirming identity, logging out unknown sessions, and resetting credentials.

### 5. If Facebook asks for ID verification

When normal recovery fails, Facebook may request government ID or other documents:

You’ll be directed to submit photos of an ID (passport, driver’s license) and possibly a selfie.

Follow instructions carefully — crop/scan neatly and include all required fields.

This process can take several days; be patient and monitor the email you provided.

Security note: Facebook’s ID submission process is limited to account verification and is protected by their privacy policies.

#### 6. Two-factor authentication (2FA) locked out?

If you enabled 2FA and lost access to the authentication method:

Use backup codes saved when you set up 2FA.

If you used an authenticator app and switched phones, restore the app backup or scan the original QR if you saved it.

If none of these are available, follow Facebook’s recovery prompts — you may need to confirm identity.

#### 7. What to do if all else fails

Use the Help Center: search for “recover account” articles.

Try different browsers/devices and retry the “Forgot Password” flow.

If you can’t satisfy automated checks, prepare to submit ID and follow up via the recovery form. Keep records of any support responses.

#### 8. After regaining access: secure your account

Change your password to a strong, unique passphrase.

Enable two-factor authentication and save backup codes.

Update email and phone number to ones you currently control.

Review active sessions (Settings → Security and Login) and log out unknown devices.

Check recent changes (email, password) and remove unfamiliar apps or permissions.

#### 9. Prevent future lockouts

Keep your account recovery options current (email and phone).

Save backup codes for 2FA in a secure place.

Consider a password manager to store complex passwords safely.

Don’t share your password or authentication codes with anyone. Facebook will never ask for your password in an unsolicited message.

# Final words

Losing access to your Facebook account is stressful but usually solvable with the built-in recovery tools: reset via email or SMS, use trusted contacts, run the compromised account workflow, or submit ID if required. Act quickly, keep recovery options updated, and lock down security once you’re back in. If one method fails, methodically try the alternatives — persistence and careful attention to the instructions are usually enough to get you back in.