How To Get Facebook Authentication Code When Locked Out

[Su Strawderman]

You can access Facebook without a confirmation or reset code. When Facebook retired its in-app Code Generator, many users may have been left hung out to dry.We'll show you how to log into your account using alternatives to receiving a Facebook confirmation code.

Once you enable Facebook's two-factor authentication, Facebook will ask you for a security or confirmation code to log in from a new location or device. We strongly recommend using two-factor authentication as a security method. Without it, you only need your username or email address and password to log into your Facebook account.

Since two of the methods above depend on a mobile device, make sure you have at least one other method to log back into Facebook, in case you lose that device. As a backup, you could also set up "recognized devices" which don't require a login code.

Code Generator used to be a convenient way to access two-factor authentication codes without a mobile number. While you may still see its remnants in the mobile app, Facebook has recently retired Code Generator.

When you've set up your phone to be the key to your Facebook account, losing or breaking it could be a problem. Here's what you can do in the event that you lose access to Code Generator or your third-party authentication tool.

Do you still have access to the mobile phone number you included under two-factor authentication? Maybe your provider could send you a new SIM with the same number. In that case, let Facebook text you a confirmation code.

From the screen asking you for the login code, select Need another way to authenticate? (bottom left), then click Text me a login code, and wait for the text to come in. You can also let Facebook call you.

After setting up two-factor authentication, you had the chance to save a set of recovery codes as a backup. Maybe you printed the code, took a screenshot, or wrote it down and stored it in a safe location.

If you haven't saved recovery codes, be sure to do it as soon as you regain access to your account. Should you ever again lose access to your authentication tool, you can use one of these codes to log into Facebook from a new device or location.

Whenever you successfully log into Facebook from a new device, application, or browser, Facebook asks you whether you would like to remember it. You won't need a login code the next time you want to access Facebook from that authorized device and location.

Try to access Facebook from a browser or app you've used previously. Maybe you're still logged in on an old laptop, your work computer, or your tablet. When you find a device where you can still access Facebook, you should see a notification asking you to approve the new login.

Is none of this working? Submit a request to Facebook. In the menu that pops up after you select Need another way to authenticate (see option 1), select Get More Help, and let Facebook walk you through the steps to recover your account.

You'll have to enter an email address and upload a copy of your ID, which can be a passport, driver's license, national ID card, or other official documents. Once you have provided the requested information, Facebook will email you with further steps for account recovery.

You can also access the above recovery route through any browser, on desktop or mobile. Go to m.facebook.com and log into your account using your mobile number, email, or username and password. When prompted for the login code, click Having trouble? > I don't have my phone > Continue.

In the next screen, Facebook will tell you to log in from a known browser. If that isn't an option, click Contact us. Like above, you'll have to provide an email address, ideally one that was linked to your account, and upload your ID and a message to Facebook.

To prevent access to your Facebook account from a lost phone or laptop, terminate the app's Facebook session. Head to Facebook's Accounts Center, under Password and security select Where you're logged in, choose your account, and log yourself out of your lost phone.

Until you get your phone back or can set up an authentication tool on a new phone, you can save a batch of backup codes as described above. You could also set up another third-party app to generate codes.

And in the future, always make sure at least one device, other than your laptop or phone, has an authorized login. It could be a home computer that you'll always have access to. Only ever let Facebook remember devices and locations that are private and safe. And frequently review your list of Authorized Logins and Remove outdated items.

Every day, we hear from people who have lost access to their Facebook account. Unfortunately, we can't help most of them because they failed to set up recovery options, had their passwords cracked, or their contact data was reset. In cases like that, you can only hope that Facebook will help you recover your account.

So don't let it get that far. It only takes a few minutes to enable two-factor authentication and save Facebook recovery codes. While you're at it, update your email address and phone number linked to your Facebook account. If disaster strikes again, you will be able to recover your Facebook account.

NOTE 2: Facebook is always changing. Please if you see something new or different or find a new solution to this problem, discuss it in the comments below this article to help us keep this up-to-date for others.

Note: If you used a code generator app or other option when originally setting up your 2-Factor authentication, this will not clear it. However, you should now be able to validate via your original option in most cases. In some cases this will only make things worse, for example if you (like me) originally setup 2FA using a code generator app and have since deleted the app.

Solution #5: Request Access to your Data
According to user Phil K James down in the comments, if all else fails contact Facebook and request access to your data. Other users are using this method successfully and I have been notified about it a few times.

After you fill out this form you will get an email response. Respond to that email response and politely demand access to your data. Facebook may send you what appears to be an automated message that pushes you to their Help Center which is a dead end. Reply to that email or fill out the form again and keep politely demanding access to your data. You may need to repeat this several times to get the message to the right support person, ultimately, however, someone at Facebook support will realize your account has an access restriction issue and will start taking steps to let you back in.

There are not a lot of ways out of this issue, but I wanted to cover how I was able to get my issue and the issues of dozens of others fixed in case you reading this ever have this problem occur. First, here is a list of things that do not work to fix this particular issue.

One user, E. Hess, reported being able to download the Duo Mobile Security app and regained access after being locked out by a broken 2FA issue. This was likely because they had done so (but forgotten) prior to being locked out. Numerous users attempted the same thing and it failed every time, none of them had set up Duo prior to being locked out.

This article, its ongoing upkeep, are only a small sample of the abundant knowledge and experience our team has in managing Facebook pages, business accounts, and groups. We built our Facebook Management services specifically to help businesses just like yours reach more customers with more creative and engaging content. Let our elite team deal with all the account hassles, new content selection, comment trolls, and most importantly with getting you more customers.

This is not a blog post about travel, history, nature, or tea, although, as always, a lot of tea was consumed in the composition of it. Instead, I hope this serves as a cautionary tale about how to potentially avoid the mistakes that have seen me locked out of Facebook for over a month. While I am all in favour of digital detoxes, this is not exactly what I had in mind!

Second, they activated two-factor authentication. This is supposed to increase the security of a system because you need to enter a code in addition to your password. The problem occurs when, again, it points away from the account owner and to the hackers instead.

I am always sorry to hear about people experiencing Facebook hacking and I completely understand your frustration, but I do not have any additional information beyond what is published here.

When you go through the process of sending a photo of your ID to be verified and you receive the email from Facebook confirming your ID is accepted with a link to reset your password, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK IN THE EMAIL!!!! Instead, follow the instructions further down in the email which says something along the lines of

All of the information I have about the Facebook two-factor authentication problem is listed in this blog post. I will no longer be responding to emails or messages regarding this issue since I cannot provide any further assistance.

I was just wondering if you ever got a reply from facebook/ managed to get back in? Like you, I have about a decade of photos on there, and also just feel really uncomfortable that a hacker still has access to my account!

Hi there! The same thing happened to me and I am STRUGGLING. I run multiple facebook accounts for my clients through my personal account and am at a complete loss. If you have found a solution, please do share!

Meta as claimed to be a company which deals with AI , sometimes acts very stupid. My facebook account got hacked and the hacker had set up a two factor authentication app. No matter what I do, I am asked for the two factor authentication code.

Hi Elaine,
Did you have any updated tips or info on how to get your account back the fastest based on this problem? Currently experiencing the same issue with them changing the Code generator app and me not being able to get the code. Trying to reach FB to get them to remove the 2FA req. but no luck yet.