You can create a new Facebook account using a different email address or phone number, and Facebook allows multiple accounts per person
Facebook does not prevent you from owning more than one account. You can create a second account by going to facebook.com, clicking "Create New Facebook Account," and filling in a name, email address or phone number, password, and birth date. The process takes about five minutes. Facebook will send a confirmation link to the email or text to the phone number you provided — you must click or confirm that link before the account becomes active.
The key requirement is that each account must use a different email address or phone number. You cannot use the same contact information for two accounts. If you try, Facebook will either merge the accounts or block the second one during setup. You also cannot use the same phone number across accounts even if you have multiple email addresses.
Your second account is completely separate from your first. Friends, messages, posts, and settings do not carry over. You will log in and out between accounts using different credentials, and Facebook's systems treat them as two different people.
Key Takeaways
- Create a second account at facebook.com by clicking "Create New Facebook Account" and entering a name, email or phone number, password, and birth date.
- Each account must use a different email address or phone number — you cannot reuse the same contact information across accounts.
- Facebook will send a confirmation link to your email or text to your phone; you must confirm it before the account activates.
- Your second account is completely separate, with its own friends list, messages, and privacy settings.
- You can switch between accounts by logging out of one and logging into the other, but you cannot stay logged into both simultaneously on the same browser.
What email or phone number to use for your second account
Use an email address you own and can access. This does not have to be a Gmail or Outlook account — any email service works, including work email, school email, or a free email account you create specifically for this purpose. Facebook will send the confirmation link to that address, so you must be able to open it.
If you prefer to use a phone number instead, Facebook will text a confirmation code to that number. You can use a landline, mobile phone, or any number that can receive SMS text messages. If you use a phone number for your second account, you cannot use that same number for your first account.
Many people create a second email address through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo specifically for a second Facebook account. This keeps your accounts separate and makes it easier to remember which email goes with which account. You do not need to use your real name or personal information on the second account if you do not want to — though Facebook's name policy requires that you use a name you go by in everyday life, not a random string of characters.
Steps to complete account creation
Go to facebook.com on any browser or open the Facebook app. On the homepage, look for the link or button that says "Create New Facebook Account" — on mobile, this is usually at the bottom of the login screen. Click it.
A window will open asking for your first name, last name, email address or phone number, password, and birth date. Fill in each field. For the name fields, use a name you actually go by — Facebook's automated systems flag accounts with names that look fake or random, and you may be asked to confirm your identity later. For the email or phone field, enter the contact information you want to use for this account only. For the password, use something you have not used on your first account.
Click "Sign Up." Facebook will send a confirmation link to your email or a confirmation code to your phone. Check your email inbox (or spam folder) or wait for the text message. Click the link in the email or enter the code Facebook texted you. Your account is now active.
After confirmation, Facebook may ask you to add a profile picture, find friends, or complete other setup steps. You can skip these or complete them depending on what you want the account for. Your second account is now ready to use.
Logging in and out between two accounts
To switch between your two accounts, log out of the first account and log into the second. On desktop, click the profile icon in the top right corner, then click "Log Out." On mobile, open the menu (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap "Log Out." Then go back to facebook.com or open the app and log in with your second account's email or phone number and password.
Facebook does not allow you to stay logged into two accounts at the same time on the same browser or device. If you log into your second account, your first account will automatically log out. Some people use different browsers (Chrome for one account, Firefox for another) or use private/incognito mode to stay logged into both simultaneously, but Facebook's terms of service do not officially support this workaround.
If you use Facebook on mobile, you can add both accounts to the Facebook app. Open the app, go to Settings, and look for "Accounts" or "Switch Accounts." You can add your second account there, and then tap to switch between them without logging out and back in each time. This is the easiest way to manage two accounts on a phone.
What Facebook's rules say about multiple accounts
Facebook's Community Standards allow you to have more than one account. The platform does not ban or penalize people for owning two or more accounts. However, Facebook does have rules about how you use those accounts.
You cannot use multiple accounts to evade a ban or restriction. If Facebook disabled or banned your first account for violating its rules, you cannot create a second account to get around that ban. Facebook's systems are designed to detect this, and doing so can result in both accounts being permanently disabled.
You also cannot use multiple accounts to spam, harass, or manipulate other users. For example, you cannot use a second account to message someone who blocked your first account, or to artificially inflate likes or comments on a post. These actions violate Facebook's policies regardless of whether you are using one account or ten.
Beyond those restrictions, Facebook does not care why you have a second account or what you use it for. People create second accounts for many reasons: to keep a personal account separate from a business account, to maintain privacy from certain groups of people, to test features, or to have a fresh start. All of these are permitted.
Recovering access if you lose the email or phone number
If you forget the email address or phone number linked to your second account, you can still recover it. Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password?" on the login screen. Enter the name or username of the account you are trying to access. Facebook will show you a partial email address or phone number associated with that account (for example, "j***@gmail.com" or "555-***-7890").
If you recognize the contact information, click it and Facebook will send a recovery link to that email or a code to that phone. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, click "No longer have access to these?" Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using other information, such as your birth date or a list of recent logins. After you verify, you can change the email or phone number on the account.
If you cannot remember any details about the account and cannot recover it through the standard process, you can contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center. Go to facebook.com/help and search for "Recover Your Account." Facebook's support options are limited, but they can sometimes help if you provide proof of identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same password for both accounts?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If someone guesses or steals that password, they can access both accounts. Use a different password for each account so that compromising one does not compromise the other.
Will my friends from my first account see my second account?
Not automatically. Your second account starts with no friends. If you add the same people to both accounts, they will see both of your profiles. If you want your second account to be private, do not add people from your first account to it.
Can I merge two Facebook accounts into one?
No. Facebook does not offer a merge tool. If you want to combine two accounts, you would need to manually transfer any photos or information you want to keep, then deactivate or delete the account you no longer need.
What happens if Facebook thinks my second account is fake?
Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. This is more likely if your account name looks unusual, if you have not added a profile picture, or if you are not interacting with the platform normally. Provide the information Facebook asks for, and your account will be restored.
Can I have a second account without a phone number or email?
No. Facebook requires either an email address or a phone number to create an account. You cannot create an account without providing at least one of these contact methods.