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Your Facebook username and ID are crucial components of your online identity, often used for login, account recovery, and in some cases, sharing your profile with others. Whether you're looking to update your username to better reflect your personal brand or need to retrieve your Facebook ID for a specific purpose, understanding how to locate and modify these details is essential.
This guide walks you through the steps to find and change your Facebook username on both PC/Mac and mobile devices. Additionally, we'll cover how to retrieve your Facebook ID, which can be necessary for various tasks such as integrating with third-party apps or recovering your account.
How to Find and Change Your FacebookUsername on a PC or Mac
When using a desktop or laptop, you can easily find and change your Facebook username through the profile settings. This method is useful if you want to personalize your account or secure a unique username.
- Open Facebook Settings
Click on the small arrow in the top-right corner of your Facebook page and select “Settings & Privacy.”
- Click on “Settings”
- Access Account Center
In the settings menu, locate and click on “Account Center“. This section allows you to manage your connected Facebook and Instagram profiles.
- Navigate to Profiles
Within the Account Center, click on “Profiles“. Here, you will see a list of all profiles associated with your Facebook account.
- Select Your Profile
Choose the profile for which you want to change the username. This will take you to a detailed settings page for that profile.
- Show Facebook Username
Find the “Username” field and click on it.
- Change Facebook Username
You can now type in your desired username. If the username is available, you'll see a confirmation. After entering the new username, click on “Done” to confirm your changes. Your Facebook username is now updated.
- Verify the Updated Facebook Username
Navigate back to your profile page and check the changed Facebook username.
- Verify the New Facebook Username in the URL
Check the address bar to ensure that the new username is reflected in the URL.
How to Find and Change Your FacebookUsername on the Mobile App
If you're primarily using Facebook on your mobile device, you can still find and change your username directly through the app. This method is convenient for users who prefer managing their account settings on the go.
- Open the Facebook App Menu
Launch the Facebook app and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Access Settings & Privacy
Scroll down and tap on “Settings & Privacy“.
- Select “Settings” from the expanded menu.
- Go to Account Center
In the settings menu, locate and tap on “Account Center” to manage your connected profiles.
- Select Your Profile
Tap on “Profiles” within the Account Center.
- Choose the profile you want to edit
- Show Facebook Username
Tap on the “Username” field.
- Enter your new Facebook username
Ensure that it meets Facebook's username guidelines. Once you've entered a valid username, tap “Done” to apply the changes.
How to Find Your Facebook ID on a PC or Mac
Your Facebook ID is a unique numerical identifier tied to your account. Knowing how to find it can be particularly useful for integrating Facebook with other applications or services.
- Open Facebook Settings
Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner and select “Settings & Privacy“.
- Choose “Settings”
- Access Apps and Websites
In the left-hand menu, click on “Apps and Websites“. This section lists all the apps and websites connected to your Facebook account. Select one app or website, then click on “View and Edit“.
- Find Your ID
Scroll down to check your Facebook ID, which will be displayed at the bottom.
How to Find Your Facebook ID on the Mobile App
For mobile users, retrieving your Facebook ID is just as straightforward and can be done through the app settings.
- Open the Facebook App Menu
Open the app and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom-right corner.
- Access Settings & Privacy
Scroll down to find “Settings & Privacy” and tap on it.
- Go to Apps and Websites
In the settings menu, scroll down to “Apps and Websites.” This section will show all the apps connected to your account.
- Select an App or Website
- See Your Facebook ID
Check your Facebook ID, which will be displayed at the bottom.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Facebook Username and Facebook ID
Can I use special characters in my Facebook username?
Facebook does not allow the use of special characters in usernames. You can only use alphanumeric characters (letters A-Z and numbers 0-9) and periods (“.”), however, the period cannot be at the beginning or end of the username, nor can you have more than one in a row. This helps keep usernames simple and ensures they are easy for other users to remember and type.
Is there a limit to how many times I can change my Facebook username?
Yes, Facebook imposes limits on how frequently you can change your username to help maintain consistency and avoid confusion among your friends and followers. While Facebook does not specify a fixed number of allowed changes, it is generally recommended to limit changes as much as possible. If you change your username too often, you might temporarily be blocked from making further changes.
What should I consider when choosing a new Facebook username?
When choosing a new Facebook username, pick one that closely aligns with your personal or business identity to enhance recognition. It should be simple, easy to remember, and unique to you or your brand. Also, ensure it complies with Facebook's character restrictions and is not misleading or suggestive of an official affiliation with Facebook or any other unauthorized entities.
What happens to the old username URL when I change my Facebook username?
After you change your Facebook username, the URL associated with your old username will no longer direct visitors to your profile. Although Facebook might temporarily redirect visitors from the old URL to your new profile URL, this redirection is not permanent. Therefore, it is important to update any external links that might use your old username.
How secure is my Facebook ID?
Your Facebook ID is a unique identifier for your account and is generally safe to share since it alone does not allow access to your account without additional authentication factors. However, be cautious about sharing it in public forums as it can be used to gather more information about your activities on Facebook, potentially leading to privacy concerns.
Does changing my Facebook username affect tagged posts or comments?
Changing your username has no impact on your previous interactions such as tags or comments. These are linked to your profile ID, which remains unchanged. All your historical activities, including tagged photos and posts, will still be associated with your profile but will reflect your new username.
Why can't I change my Facebook username or ID?
You might be unable to change your Facebook username if you've recently changed it, as Facebook only allows infrequent changes. Restrictions might also apply if the chosen username doesn't meet Facebook's standards for length, character use, or appropriateness. If an account is under review for suspicious activities, username changes may also be temporarily locked.
What are the implications of changing my Facebook username for connected apps?
When you change your Facebook username, it is critical to update this information in any apps or services where you use Facebook to log in. If the apps use your Facebook URL, they may require you to reauthenticate or update your login details to continue accessing their services seamlessly.
Can someone else use my former Facebook username once I change it?
Yes, once your former username is released (typically immediately after you change it), it becomes available for others to register. However, Facebook may sometimes reserve certain popular or recently active usernames temporarily to prevent impersonation and confusion.
How long does it take for my new Facebook username to reflect on my profile?
Changes to your Facebook username are typically reflected immediately across the platform. However, due to different caching mechanisms on various devices and networks, some users may experience a delay before they see the update. It is advisable to log out and then log back into your account to prompt the update if it doesn't appear right away.
What should I do if my preferred Facebook username is taken?
If your desired username is already taken, try alternative combinations by incorporating numbers, underscores, or abbreviations that still convey your identity. You can also consider slight variations in spelling or adding meaningful prefixes or suffixes.
Can changing my Facebook username impact my visibility or searchability on Facebook?
Yes, changing your username can affect how people find you on Facebook. Users who search for your old username may not be able to find you unless they know your new username. To minimize confusion, inform your friends and followers about the change and consider updating your username on other platforms for consistency.
How do I recover my Facebook account if I forget my username?
If you can't remember your username, you can use the email address or mobile number associated with your account to regain access. Visit the Facebook login page, click on ‘Forgotten account?', and follow the instructions to recover your account using your registered email or phone number.
When is it not possible to change my Facebook username?
You cannot change your Facebook username if your account has been flagged for review due to suspicious activity or if you have recently changed your username. Facebook places these restrictions to maintain platform integrity and ensure that changes are legitimate and not misleading to others.
What is the purpose of a Facebook ID?
A Facebook ID is a numeric code that uniquely identifies your profile. It is used primarily for developer purposes, such as integrations with external apps and websites. Your Facebook ID helps these services to link with your Facebook account securely and efficiently, enabling features like social login, sharing, and content personalization.
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Last Updated on August 28, 2024 4:54 pm CEST
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.
