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A complete step-by-step guide on how to recover your Facebook password safely and securely.

How to Recover Your Facebook Password — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Losing access to your Facebook account can be stressful — especially if your Facebook profile is tied to important messages, memories, or pages you manage. The good news: Facebook provides several built-in ways to recover your password and secure your account. This guide walks you through every realistic, safe option — whether you forgot your password, lost access to your email or phone number, or suspect your account has been hacked. Follow these steps carefully and read the security tips at the end to prevent future problems.

Quick overview — Which method should you try first?

Use the “Forgot Password?” flow (email, phone number, or username) — fastest and most common.
If you don’t have access to email or phone: try recovery via a trusted contact (if previously set) or Facebook identity verification.
If your account is compromised/hacked: use Facebook’s compromised account tool and change associated recovery options after you regain access.
If all else fails: appeal to Facebook with verified ID documents (takes time).

Before you start — important safety reminders

Only use official Facebook pages and apps. Don’t enter passwords on sites that aren’t facebook.com or the official Facebook app.
Never pay for password recovery. Facebook doesn’t charge for account recovery.
Beware scams. If someone promises to recover the account for money or asks for your password, it’s a scam.
Use a secure device. Try recovery steps from a device you normally use to log into Facebook — Facebook may recognize it and make recovery easier.

Method 1 — Use “Forgot Password?” (Recommended first step)

This is the standard recovery flow and works when you still have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.

Steps (desktop or mobile):

Open Facebook.com or the Facebook app.
Click Forgot Password? (desktop) or Find account (app) on the login screen.
Type your email address, phone number, username, or full name and press Search.
Facebook lists accounts that match. Select your account.
Choose where to receive the code: via email or SMS (if available). If you choose email, check your spam/junk folder.
Enter the security code you received and click Continue.
Create a new, strong password (see tips below).
Log in with the new password and review security settings (two-factor authentication, recent logins).

If you don’t see the option to receive a code: Facebook may show different options depending on how your account is configured. Continue to the next method.

Method 2 — No access to your email or phone?

If you can’t access the email account or phone number listed on Facebook, try one of these:

Option A — Try alternate email or phone you may have added

During the forgot-password search, Facebook may show alternative recovery options. Check carefully for any addresses or numbers you recognize.

Option B — Login with a connected account (Google or Apple)

If you previously linked Facebook login to your Google or Apple account, use the “Continue with Google/Apple” option on the Facebook app or site.

Option C — Use a trusted contact (if you set them up)

Trusted Contacts is a feature you (optionally) set earlier. If you configured it before losing access, Facebook will let you send recovery links to those contacts.

How trusted contacts recovery works:

On the recovery page, choose No longer have access to these?
Choose Reveal my trusted contacts.
Enter a full name of a trusted contact and Facebook will display a set of names.
Facebook gives instructions to your trusted contacts — they each receive a unique recovery code and give it to you.
Enter the codes from your friends and reset your password.

Important: You must have set trusted contacts before losing access. If you haven’t, this option won’t be available.

Method 3 — Use Facebook’s identity verification (Upload ID)

When other methods fail, Facebook may ask you to verify your identity by uploading a government ID or other documents.

What to expect:

Facebook asks for a clear photo of a government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, national ID) or multiple non-government documents (bank statement, utility bills) depending on region.
Upload only what Facebook requests — don’t send extra documents.
In many cases, Facebook will blur or protect personal details, but always remove unrelated sensitive documents.
Verification can take several hours to a few days.

Steps:

From the recovery flow, select No longer have access or the option that leads to identity verification.
Follow instructions to upload a photo of your ID and any requested info (full name, registration email).
Submit and wait for Facebook’s response.
When approved, you’ll get access and should immediately change passwords and recovery options.

Tip: Use a device and location you often used for Facebook before — it reduces suspicion and helps verification.

Method 4 — Account hacked or email changed by attacker

If someone else has taken over your account and changed the email or password, use Facebook’s compromised account tool.

Steps:

Go to the official Facebook page for hacked accounts — type facebook.com/hacked in your browser.
Click My account is compromised and follow prompts.
Identify your account (email, phone, username).
Facebook may allow you to reset the password using security questions, your phone, or by identifying friends in photos.
Once you regain access, immediately:
- Change password.
- Remove unknown email addresses or phone numbers.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Check active sessions and log out unknown devices.
- Report suspicious activity to Facebook.

Method 5 — If you still can’t recover: use Facebook Help Center and appeals

If the above methods don’t work, follow the appeals process:

Visit the Facebook Help Center (help.facebook.com) from a trusted device and search for account recovery forms.
Use forms like “I can’t access my account” or “My personal Facebook account is disabled” as applicable.
Provide requested information honestly and attach ID if asked.
Be patient — appeals may take days to weeks. Check the email you used for the appeal for updates.

After recovery — immediate security checklist

Once you regain access, do this immediately:

Change your password to a strong, unique password.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) instead of SMS if possible.
Review login activity: In Facebook Settings → Security and Login → Where You’re Logged In. Log out unfamiliar devices.
Check Email and Phone: Make sure only your email and phone are listed. Remove any unfamiliar ones.
Check Admins of Pages/Groups: If you manage pages or groups, ensure no unauthorized accounts were granted admin roles.
Turn on alerts for unrecognized logins.
Update connected apps: Revoke suspicious third-party apps in Settings → Apps and Websites.

How to choose a strong password (and remember it)

Use a long passphrase (3–5 unrelated words or a short sentence) — easier to remember and strong.
Include a mix of letters, numbers, and punctuation if possible.
Avoid using obvious things like birthdays, “password123,” or repeated patterns.
Use a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass) to store unique passwords for each site. This greatly reduces the risk of reused credentials being compromised.

Preventive measures to avoid future lockouts

Keep recovery info up to date: Ensure your email and phone are current.
Add backup email/phone: Add a backup email to your Facebook account and keep it active.
Set Trusted Contacts (optional): Choose 3–5 people you trust who can help you recover your account.
Enable 2FA: Use an authenticator app rather than SMS when possible.
Be careful with public Wi-Fi: Avoid logging into important accounts on untrusted networks.
Watch for phishing: Don’t click suspicious links that ask for your password; check sender addresses.
Log out on shared devices: Always log out of Facebook on public or shared computers.
Use secure email: Your email is a recovery gatekeeper — protect it with a strong password and 2FA.

Common FAQs

Q: Can Facebook recover my account without ID?
A: Often yes — if you have access to the recovery email or phone, or trusted contacts. ID is usually requested only when other options fail.

Q: How long does recovery take?
A: If you have email/phone access, it’s usually immediate. Identity verification or appeals can take hours to weeks.

Q: My account was disabled — how is that different?
A: Disabled accounts are usually due to policy violations. Recovery requires following Facebook’s disabled account appeal process in the Help Center and may require ID.

Q: Can I recover Facebook if my email provider was hacked or deleted?
A: If you no longer control that email, try logging in with phone number or trusted contacts. If you must, contact the email provider to recover the email account first.

Q: Is there a phone number I can call for Facebook support?
A: Facebook does not provide general support via phone for password recovery. Use facebook.com/hacked and the Help Center.

Sample step-by-step (one complete example)

Scenario: You forgot your password but still have access to your email.

Go to facebook.com and click Forgot Password?
Enter your email and click Search.
Facebook shows your account — click This is my account.
Choose Send code via email, then click Continue.
Open your email, find the code (check spam folder).
Enter the code on Facebook and click Continue.
Create a new password (use a password manager to store it).
Enable 2FA and review active sessions.

That’s it — you’re back in. Now follow the security checklist above.

What NOT to do

Don’t hand your password to anyone.
Don’t pay “account recovery services.” Legitimate recovery is free.
Don’t use the same password across multiple sites.
Don’t click links in emails claiming you’ve been locked out — instead, go directly to facebook.com.

Final notes and resources

Recovering a Facebook password is usually straightforward if you still control your recovery email or phone. If it’s more complex (no access, hacked, disabled), follow Facebook’s official tools: facebook.com/hacked and the Help Center. Always prioritize account security after recovering access: change passwords, enable 2FA, and monitor account activity.

If you want, EasyGuidesHub can provide a printable checklist version of the recovery steps and a short downloadable template email you can send to friends if you set them as trusted contacts. Want that? I can create it now.

Easy Guides Hub – Step-by-Step AI & Online Earning Guides for 2025

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