How to Create a Facebook Account on a Computer, Phone, or Tablet

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

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Setting up a Facebook account is easy. All you need to do is visit the Facebook website in a browser or download the mobile app, then enter some personal information. Once your account is verified, you can build your profile and add friends. This wikiHow article teaches you how to create a new Facebook account on mobile or using a desktop computer.

1. Open the Facebook app and tap Create New Account.
2. Tap Get Started and enter your name.
3. Enter your birthday and gender.
4. Enter your phone number or email.
5. Choose a password and agree to the terms and policies.
6. Verify your email or phone number.
7. Follow the guided instructions to set up your profile.

Using the Mobile App

• If you don’t already have the Facebook app, download it from the Google Play Store on Android, or App Store on iPhone and iPad.
• If you are already signed in to a different Facebook account, tap your profile picture in the upper-right or lower-right corner. Then tap ∨ in the upper-right corner to select a different profile. Tap Create in the upper-right corner.
• To log out of an existing Facebook account.

• Make sure the name you enter follows Facebook’s name guidelines.

• You must be at least 13 years old to sign up for a Facebook account.
• Tap Next when you are done.

• If you select "More options," you can select "They" from the drop-down menu or enter your own pronoun.

• If you are asked if you want to allow Facebook to access your contacts, you can tap Allow or Deny. If you allow Facebook to access your contacts, it will suggest profiles from your contacts for you to add as friends. Not allowing Facebook to access your contacts will help protect your privacy.

Create your password. On the next screen, type in a password that you’ll be able to remember. You can use a password manager to generate a secure password for you. Tap Next once you’re satisfied with your chosen password.

Agree to Facebook's terms and policies. Read through the Terms and Policies page and then tap I agree to continue. You can read the individual policies by tapping the blue links in the text.

Verify your mobile number or email address. Before you can use Facebook, you’ll need to verify your account. Depending on how you signed up, you’ll either need to enter a code that was texted to your phone number or click a verification link in an email sent to your chosen email address. [2] X Research source

• Add a profile picture. If you want to add a profile picture, tap Add picture. You can then tap Choose from Gallery/Camera Roll to choose an existing photo or Take photo to take a new one with your phone's camera. When you're finished, tap Done.
• If you don't want to add a photo now, tap Skip instead.
• Turn on contact uploading. If you want to upload your contacts to receive friend suggestions, tap Turn on. If you do not want to use this feature, tap Not now instead.
• Turn on Notifications. If you want to receive Facebook notifications, tap Turn on notifications. If you don't want to turn on notifications, tap Skip instead.

• Tap Edit next to your profile picture to upload a new profile picture.
• Tap Edit next to "Avatar" to edit your Facebook avatar.
• Tap Edit next to "Cover photo" to select a new cover photo.
• Tap Edit next to "Bio" and then write a brief description of yourself.
• Tap Edit next to "Details" to edit your information, then tap the pencil next to each item to personalize them. You can add information about your current location, work history, education, hometown, relationship status, etc.
  • Tap Save when you are done.

  

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  • Your name and contact information
  • Your password and account security settings
  • Your privacy settings (e.g., who can see your profile and posts)
  • What kinds of ads and notifications you see on Facebook
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  Using a Computer

  

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  • If you already have a Facebook account, log out so you can create a new one.

  

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  Click Create New Account . This is a green button at the bottom of the Log In box on the right side of the page.

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  • Your first and last name. While you don’t technically have to use your legal name, make sure you follow Facebook’s name guidelines.
  • Your birthdate (month, day, and year). You must be at least 13 to sign up for a Facebook account.
  • Your gender (you can choose Female, Male, or Custom).
  • Your mobile phone number or email address.
  • The password you want to use.

  

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  \n"> Click Sign Up . It’s a green button at the bottom of the dialog box.

  

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  • If you signed up with a mobile phone number, you’ll get a text message the first time you try to log in. A dialog box will pop up asking you to enter the code from the text message. Type in the code and click Confirm.
  • If you used an email address, you’ll get an email with a verification link. Click the link to verify your account.

  

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  • Click Edit next to your profile picture to upload a new profile picture.
  • Click Edit next to "Avatar" to edit your Facebook avatar.
  • Click Edit next to "Cover photo" to select a new cover photo.
  • Click Edit next to "Bio" and then write a brief description of yourself.
  • Click Edit your About info at the bottom to edit your information. Click the icon with three dots (⋯) and then the pencil next to each item to make changes. You can add information about your current location, work history, education, hometown, relationship status, and more.

  

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  • Your display name and contact information
  • Your password and login security settings
  • Your privacy settings (e.g., who can see your posts and which information on your profile is visible to the public)
  • What kinds of notifications you receive
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  Community Q&A

  I was not aware that I was supposed to use my real name. My account has been blocked. Is there anything I can do?

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer

  Facebook has changed its policies about name use. You no longer necessarily have to use your real (legal) name, but your name must conform to Facebook's guidelines (e.g., it can't contain any numbers or special symbols, offensive words, or titles), and you can't impersonate someone else by using their name. You may need to fill out Facebook's Appeal Profile Disable form to get your account restored.

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  Do you have to provide an ID card to sign up? wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer

  No. There are a few situations where Facebook may ask you to provide an ID (for instance, if you've been reported for impersonating someone and they're trying to verify your identity), but you don't need to provide one when you start your account.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  How do I add my existing Facebook account to this phone? wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer

  Download and launch the Facebook app, then enter the email address or phone number you used to sign up for your account. You can also use a username, if you have one. Then, enter your password and tap Log In.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Advertisement

  A Facebook Page is different from a personal Facebook account. You’ll need to create a personal account before you can set up a page.

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  Technically, it is against Facebook’s rules for one person to have multiple personal Facebook accounts. [5] X Research source However, you can sign up for a new account if you use a different email address or mobile phone number.

  Facebook has a rule that you use the name you’re known by in everyday life (but not necessarily your legal name) when you sign up for an account. While you technically can sign up for Facebook using a fake name, your account may be blocked if you break the site’s name use guidelines. [6] X Research source

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