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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Start with the recovery path that matches what happened: use facebook.com/hacked if you suspect a takeover; reset your password if you can still access the account’s email or phone; and use Facebook’s separate recovery prompts if you have lost access to both. A request for ID, a Meta disablement, voluntary deactivation, and a security-check wait each require a different response.
Choose the recovery route that fits your situation
| What happened | Where to start | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| You suspect someone took over the account | Facebook’s hacked-account recovery | Meta recommends starting on a device you have used to log in before. |
| You forgot the password but can use the linked email or phone | Facebook account-recovery prompts | Try a password reset and receive the code by email or text. |
| You cannot access the listed email or phone | Use the same official recovery prompts and select the option for inaccessible contact information. | Follow the options Facebook presents; the available steps can depend on your account and current interface. |
| Facebook asks you to confirm your identity | Follow the identity-confirmation prompt and its submission instructions. | Meta may request identity documents that meet its name and image requirements. |
| You deactivated the account yourself | Log in to reactivate it. | You need access to the login email or mobile number. |
| Meta disabled the account, or a security check shows a wait | Follow the specific notice and any appeal or waiting-period instructions shown. | These situations are not fixed by the voluntary-deactivation or hacked-account steps alone. |
Recover an account you think was hacked
Go directly to Meta’s hacked-account recovery page. Meta says to use a device you have previously used to log into Facebook. A familiar device can help the recovery process recognize your usual access, but it does not guarantee that the account can be restored.
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Use only Facebook’s official prompts. Do not give a password, login code, or identity document to an unofficial helper, and be wary of anyone promising guaranteed recovery for a fee.
Reset a forgotten password when your email or phone still works
If you can receive messages at the email address or mobile number linked to the account, use Facebook’s password-reset flow through its account-recovery page. Follow the current on-screen choices to request a reset code and set a new password.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
If a code does not arrive, check your spam or junk folder, confirm that your device has a connection, wait a few minutes, and request another code. The exact screens may vary by language and interface, so follow the instructions shown in your account’s recovery flow.
If you have lost access to the linked email and phone
Use Facebook’s official account-recovery prompts and choose the option that says you cannot access the listed contact information, if it appears. Meta provides a distinct route for this situation, but the available procedure can vary. Do not assume that entering a new email address automatically replaces the old one; follow the options Facebook actually presents.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Why Facebook may ask you to upload ID
An ID request is an ownership check. Meta’s guidance says one government ID should show your name and either your date of birth or a photo. If you do not have a government ID, Meta says to submit two non-government IDs: both must show your name, and at least one must show your date of birth and/or a photo. The name on the documents must match the name on your profile. Check the prompt for the exact documents and submission method it accepts.
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Meta says an image may be rejected if it is blurry, poorly lit, incomplete, shown as a screenshot or photocopy, or not fully in frame. Its ID rejection guidance explains these requirements. Submit documents only through Facebook’s official flow, not in comments or to a third-party recovery service.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Distinguish deactivation from a disabled account
If you deactivated your account
If you chose to deactivate your main Facebook account, Meta says you can reactivate it by logging in. You will need access to the login email address or mobile number. See Meta’s reactivation guidance.
If Meta disabled your account
A disabled account is not the same as one you voluntarily deactivated. Do not rely on the reactivation steps above. Read the notice Facebook displays and use any appeal or review instructions provided for that specific case.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
What a 24-hour security-check wait means
Meta says that after completing a security check, you may have to wait 24 hours before logging in. Its security-check help page says the account remains visible to friends during this waiting period even though you cannot access it. This is a stated wait for that security-check situation, not a general recovery estimate. Follow the on-screen direction and try again after the stated period.
Secure the account after you regain access
Once you are back in, review Facebook’s security settings and turn on protections available to your account. Meta describes login alerts and two-factor authentication as account-security features, and its guidance also covers security keys and malicious software that can steal login information.
Quick Recap
- Enable two-factor authentication and login alerts where available.
- Review account security settings and follow Facebook’s current prompts to check for unfamiliar access.
- If you suspect a device may have stolen your login details, check that device for malicious software. A scan may help address device risk, but buying software does not restore Facebook access.
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