Facebook - Trusted Contacts

For a variety of reasons, many Facebook users lose access to their accounts and are never able to regain access.  This results in many lost personal posts, messages, photos and videos.  While there are many ways to back up those items from your Facebook account, this article is about helping you get your account access back by setting up Trusted Contacts.

Facebook Trusted Contacts allow you to select from 3 to 5 trusted people from your friends list.  When you forgot your Facebook password or are somehow locked our of your Facebook account, you are able to ask 3 of those trusted contacts to retrieve a code that they provide to you to unlock your account.

Reasons for Lockout

• Forgot your password.
• Hacked or Hijacked account.
• Not using your REAL name.
• Using multiple accounts.
• Posting obscene or objectional material.

Trusted Contacts

Obviously, you must not already be locked out of your account prior to setting up trusted contacts.  Using trusted contacts is a proactive step in helping you to not lose your Facebook account.

Setting up your trusted contacts, the sooner the better.

Go to this Facebook link for instructions, I expand on those instructions in my step-by-step sections below.  https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-security/introducing-trusted-contacts/10151362774980766/

Simple Step-by-Step

For a more detailed step-by-step with illustrations, see later in this article.

    Mobile Device

1. From the hamburger menu at the top right of the Facebook application.
2. Expand the Settings & Privacy menu by clicking on it.
3. Go to the Settings menu.
4. Scroll down to the Security section where it says "Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out."
5. Click Edit to add 3 to 5 friends.
6. Click Done when finished.    

    Browser

1. From the upside-down triangle, pull-down menu on the top right side of the page.
2. Go to Settings
3. Go to Security and Login
4. Scroll down to the Security section where it says "Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out."
5. Select "Choose Trusted Contacts". 
6. Enter 3 to 5 contacts.
7. Confirm     

Confirmations

After entering a friend for the first time, they will receive a message where they confirm the trust.

Be sure that you remember the names used for your friend's accounts.  During the recovery process, you will be asked to enter the name of at least one of your contacts.  The name you enter must match their profile name.  Spelling matters.

Account Recovery

When you are locked out of the account, contact at least 3 of your trusted contacts.  They will be ble to retrieve a code for you that after entering at least 3 of them correctly will enable you to unlock your account.

The recovery process can be found at this Facebook link: https://m.facebook.com/help/213343062033160?helpref=related

Detailed Step-by-Step

Step 1:  Log into your Facebook Account

Step 2:  Follow the menu path on a mobile device or a browser to reach the Trusted Contacts page.

    Browser

        Step 3:

            a) From the upper right corner of the Facebook page, select the upside-down triangle (pull-down menu).
            b) Select Settings












            c) Select "Security and Login"
     

    Mobile Device

        Step 3:

Step 1:  When you are logged into your Facebook account.

Browser: Click on the upside down triangle in the upper right corner of the page, then select Settings.

Mobile Device: Click on the hamburger menu in the upper right of the Facebook App, then click on Settings & Privacy.

From the Settings & Privacy, click on Settings.
Step 3:  From the Settings menu.


Browser:  Choose Security and login.

Mobile Device: Choose Security & Login.