The fastest way to switch accounts depends on what device you're using
Facebook lets you switch between accounts without logging out and back in each time. On a phone, you tap your profile picture, scroll down, and tap the account name you want to use. On a computer, you click your profile picture in the top right, then click the account name from the list. If you don't see the account you want, you'll need to add it first by logging in once.
The method is the same whether you use the Facebook app, the mobile website, or the desktop site. Once you've added multiple accounts to your device, switching takes about three seconds.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to five Facebook accounts to a single device and switch between them instantly without re-entering passwords.
- On mobile, tap your profile picture, scroll to the bottom, and select the account name you want to use.
- On desktop, click your profile picture in the top right corner and choose the account from the dropdown menu.
- If an account doesn't appear in the list, you'll need to log into it once to add it to your device.
How to add a new account to your device
Before you can switch to an account, you have to tell your device about it. Open Facebook and log in with the username or email and password for the account you want to add. Facebook will remember this account on your device from that point forward.
You only have to do this once per account per device. If you add an account on your phone, it won't automatically appear on your computer — you'll need to log in on the computer separately to add it there too.
Facebook allows up to five accounts per device. If you try to add a sixth, you'll see a message saying you've hit the limit and will need to remove an account first.
Switching accounts on your phone
Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu. You'll see a section labeled with your current account name, followed by a list of other accounts you've added.
Tap the name of the account you want to switch to. Facebook will reload and show you that account's feed, messages, and notifications. Your previous account stays logged in on the device — you're not logging out, just switching which account is active.
If you don't see the account you're looking for, scroll back up and tap "Log In With Another Account" at the bottom of the menu. Enter the login details for that account, and it will be added to your device.
Switching accounts on your computer
Click your profile picture in the top right corner of any Facebook page. A dropdown menu will appear showing your current account and any other accounts you've added to this computer.
Click the account name you want to switch to. The page will reload and show that account's content. Like on mobile, you're not logging out — both accounts remain logged in on your computer, and you're just switching which one is active.
If the account you want isn't listed, click "Log In With Another Account" at the bottom of the dropdown. Enter the username or email and password, and Facebook will add it to your computer.
Removing an account from your device
If you want to stop seeing an account in your switcher list, you can remove it. On mobile, tap your profile picture, scroll down, and long-press the account name you want to remove. Tap "Remove" when the option appears.
On desktop, click your profile picture, find the account you want to remove, and click the three dots next to it. Select "Remove" from the menu. Removing an account from your device doesn't delete the account itself — it just stops it from appearing in your switcher list. You can add it back anytime by logging in again.
What happens to your messages and notifications when you switch
Each account has its own separate messages and notifications. When you switch to a different account, you'll see only that account's unread messages and alerts. If Account A has three unread messages and Account B has none, switching to Account B will show zero unread messages.
Notifications from one account won't carry over to another. If you're logged into Account A and receive a message, switching to Account B won't show you that message — you'll only see it when you switch back to Account A.
Troubleshooting account switching problems
If an account isn't appearing in your switcher list even though you've logged in before, try logging out completely and logging back in with that account's credentials. Sometimes the device loses track of an added account, and re-logging fixes it.
If you're on mobile and the switcher menu isn't showing all your accounts, make sure you're using the official Facebook app from the App Store or Google Play. Third-party apps or older versions sometimes don't support account switching properly.
If you're seeing an error message when you try to switch, check your internet connection. Account switching requires a live connection to Facebook's servers. If your connection is unstable, wait a few seconds and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch accounts on Facebook Messenger?
Yes. Open Messenger, tap your profile picture at the top, and scroll down to see your other accounts. Tap the account name to switch. Messenger uses the same account switcher as the main Facebook app.
Will switching accounts log me out of other apps?
No. Switching Facebook accounts only affects Facebook and Messenger. Other apps that use your Facebook login (like games or shopping apps) will stay logged in to whichever account they're connected to.
What if I forget the password to one of my accounts?
Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password" on the login screen. Enter the email or phone number for that account, and Facebook will send a password reset link. You don't need to know the old password to create a new one.
Can someone else see my other accounts if they use my device?
Yes. Anyone with access to your device can see all the accounts in your switcher list and tap to switch to them. If you want to prevent this, remove accounts you don't want others to access, or use a device passcode to lock your phone or computer.