Facebook lets you change your birthday whenever you want, but the platform limits how often you can do it

You can change your birthday on Facebook through your profile settings. The process takes about two minutes. However, Facebook restricts birthday changes to once every 60 days — if you've changed it recently, you may have to wait before changing it again.

The reason for this limit is to prevent account takeovers. If someone gains access to your account, they can't when ready change your birthday to lock you out of recovery options. The 60-day window gives you time to notice unauthorized changes and regain control.

Key Takeaways

  • You can edit your birthday in Facebook settings under "Personal Information," and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between birthday changes, so you cannot update it again until that window passes.
  • Your birthday visibility is separate from the change itself — you can make it visible to everyone, friends only, or hidden entirely.
  • If you cannot remember your birthday or need to change it for account recovery, contact Facebook Support through your account settings.

How to access your birthday settings on Facebook

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your screen. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side menu, click "Personal information." You'll see your current birthday listed there.

If you're on a mobile phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," tap "Settings," then scroll to "Personal information." The layout is the same, just arranged for a smaller screen.

The steps to change your birthday

Once you're in Personal Information, find the line that shows your current birthday. Click or tap on it. Facebook will open a small window where you can adjust the month, day, and year separately. Change each part to your correct birthday, then click "Save changes" or the checkmark button.

The change happens right away. Facebook does not send you a confirmation email or ask you to verify the change through a link. If you see your new birthday displayed on your profile, the update worked.

What to do if you see an error message about the 60-day limit

If you try to change your birthday and Facebook shows a message saying you've already changed it recently, you'll have to wait. The system counts 60 days from your last change, not from today's date. If you changed it on January 15, you cannot change it again until March 16.

If you believe you never changed your birthday and this message is wrong, or if someone else changed it without your permission, contact Facebook Support. Go to Settings, scroll down to "Help and support," click "Report a problem," and describe what happened. Facebook's support team can review your account history and may override the 60-day limit if your account was compromised.

Controlling who can see your birthday

Your birthday visibility is a separate setting from the birthday itself. In Personal Information, next to your birthday, you'll see a small icon that looks like a person, a group of people, or a lock. Click or tap that icon to change who sees your birthday.

Your options are: "Public" (everyone on and off Facebook can see it), "Friends" (only people on your friends list), or "Only me" (hidden from everyone). Facebook defaults to "Friends" when you first create an account. Changing this setting does not affect your ability to change your birthday later — the 60-day limit applies regardless of visibility.

Why Facebook asks for your birthday when you sign up

Facebook requires a birthday during account creation for two reasons: age verification and account recovery. The platform has legal obligations to keep users under 13 off the site, so it uses your birthday to enforce that rule. Your birthday also becomes part of your account recovery information — if you forget your password, Facebook can use it to confirm you're the real account owner.

This is why changing your birthday too frequently can create problems. If you change it right before requesting a password reset, Facebook's recovery system might reject your answers because the birthday on file no longer matches what you provided during signup. If this happens, you'll need to contact Facebook Support with other proof of identity, like a government ID or email address tied to the account.

What happens if you enter the wrong birthday by accident

If you entered an incorrect birthday when you created your account and want to fix it, you can change it when ready the first time. After that first change, the 60-day limit kicks in. So if you've never changed your birthday before, go ahead and correct it now — you won't be able to change it again for two months.

If you're locked out by the 60-day limit and your birthday is still wrong, contact Facebook Support. Explain that you entered the wrong date during signup and need it corrected. Support can sometimes make exceptions for genuine errors, especially if your account is new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my birthday completely from Facebook?

Yes. In Personal Information, click the visibility icon next to your birthday and select "Only me." Your birthday will not appear on your profile or in birthday reminders sent to your friends. Facebook still stores your birthday internally for age verification and account recovery.

What if I don't remember my real birthday?

Contact Facebook Support through your Settings menu. Explain that you cannot remember your birthday and need help updating it. Support may ask you to verify your identity using a government ID or other documentation before making the change. This process can take several days.

Does changing my birthday affect my Facebook memories or posts?

No. Your posts, photos, and memories stay exactly where they are. Changing your birthday only updates the date displayed on your profile and in your account settings. It does not retroactively change the dates on any content you've posted.

Can someone else change my birthday if they have my password?

Yes, which is why a strong, unique password matters. If you suspect someone changed your birthday without permission, change your password when ready, review your recent login activity in Settings, and contact Facebook Support to report the unauthorized change.

Why does Facebook limit birthday changes to once every 60 days?

The limit exists to protect your account from takeover. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot quickly change your birthday to lock you out of recovery options. The 60-day window gives you time to notice the change and regain control before they can use it against you.