If you lost access to Facebook, act fast. The longer an attacker controls the account, the harder recovery becomes. This guide focuses on legal Facebook account recovery: reset access, secure connected email and phone details, remove unknown devices, and prevent a second takeover.
Updated March 2026
Facebook Account Recovery: First Steps
- Go to Facebook’s official recovery flow and search for your account by email, phone number, or profile name.
- Reset your password using the recovery method you still control.
- If the password, email, or phone was changed by someone else, use Facebook’s hacked-account path immediately.
- Secure the email account connected to Facebook before you finish recovery.
What to Do If Your Facebook Was Hacked
- Change your Facebook password.
- Sign out of unfamiliar sessions.
- Remove unknown email addresses, phone numbers, or trusted devices.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
- Check Ads Manager, linked payment methods, and connected Instagram or Meta accounts.
Recovering Facebook Without Access to Your Old Email or Phone
If you no longer control the original recovery details, Facebook may ask for identity confirmation or older account details. Work only through official Facebook forms and avoid “recovery hackers” who promise instant access for a fee.
Common Facebook Recovery Problems
Recovery codes are going to the wrong email
This usually means the attacker added or changed recovery details. Use the hacked-account route and secure your main email account at the same time.
You regained access, then lost it again
This usually happens when the attacker still controls your email, phone number, or trusted device list. Recovery is not complete until those are secured too.
Your account is disabled, not hacked
That is a different problem. Disabled accounts usually require Facebook review and policy appeal, not only password recovery.
How to Keep Your Facebook Account Secure After Recovery
- Use a unique password.
- Turn on 2FA.
- Review active sessions regularly.
- Remove suspicious browser extensions and devices.
- Watch for phishing emails pretending to be Meta support.
For related recovery and prevention steps, read how to check if your data has been breached, how to recover a hacked Instagram account, and how to protect social media accounts from hackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a recovery service get my Facebook back faster?
Be careful. Many “recovery services” are scams. Start with Facebook’s official recovery path and secure your email first.
What if my Facebook was hacked through my email?
Recovering Facebook will not be enough. You need to change your email password, remove unknown devices, and turn on 2FA there too.
Can I recover Facebook without my old phone number?
Sometimes yes, but you may need alternate recovery details or identity verification through Facebook’s official process.
Related Security Guides
Next, read how to check if your data has been breached, our personal cybersecurity checklist, and our Facebook account recovery guide.
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