How to Change Your Birthday on Facebook: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your birthday on Facebook is a surprisingly common need, whether it’s to correct a typo from years ago, adjust your privacy settings, or (let’s be honest) shave a few years off for appearance’s sake. Luckily, the process is straightforward, albeit with a few nuances you should be aware of.

To change your birthday on Facebook, you’ll need to navigate to your profile’s “About” section, find the “Contact and Basic Info” section, and then edit your birthday from there. Remember, Facebook limits how often you can change this information, so make sure you’re updating it accurately.

The Detailed Steps: A Journey Through Facebook’s Interface

Let’s break down that answer into a step-by-step walkthrough, covering both the desktop and mobile app experiences. Facebook’s interface evolves, but the underlying principles remain the same.

On Your Desktop Computer

1. Log In and Navigate to Your Profile: First, log in to your Facebook account on your computer. Click on your profile picture or name in the top-left corner to go to your profile page.
2. Access the “About” Section: On your profile page, locate the tabs below your cover photo. You’ll typically see options like “Posts,” “About,” “Friends,” and “Photos.” Click on the “About” tab.
3. Find “Contact and Basic Info”: In the “About” section, you’ll see various categories like “Work and Education,” “Places You’ve Lived,” and “Contact and Basic Info.” Click on “Contact and Basic Info.”
4. Edit Your Birthday: Scroll down to the “Basic Info” section. You should see your birthday listed, along with gender and other personal details. Hover over the “Birthday” section, and an “Edit” button should appear. Click on it.
5. Update Your Birthday: Use the drop-down menus to select the correct month, day, and year.
6. Privacy Settings (Important!): Below the date fields, you’ll find privacy settings for your birthday. This allows you to control who can see your birthday on your profile. You can choose from options like “Public,” “Friends,” “Only Me,” or create custom lists. This is where you decide if you want everyone to know you’re celebrating (or not!).
7. Save Changes: Once you’ve updated your birthday and privacy settings, click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the “Basic Info” section. Your birthday will now be updated.

On the Facebook Mobile App

1. Open the App and Navigate to Your Profile: Open the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner (Android) or bottom-right corner (iOS). Scroll down and tap on your name to go to your profile.
2. Access the “About” Section: On your profile page, tap the “See Your About Info” button located under your profile details.
3. Edit Basic Info: Scroll down to the “Basic Info” section and tap the “Edit” button next to it.
4. Update Your Birthday: Find the “Birthday” section and tap the drop-down menus to change the month, day, and year.
5. Privacy Settings: Adjust the privacy settings for your birthday using the drop-down menu next to the date.
6. Save Changes: Scroll down and tap the “Save” button at the bottom of the screen.

Understanding Facebook’s Birthday Change Limits

Facebook imposes limits on how frequently you can change your birthday to prevent misuse and maintain the integrity of user data. While the exact limits are subject to change and not always publicly documented, you can generally expect the following:

• Limited Number of Changes: You can only change your birthday a few times within a certain period. Once you reach this limit, you’ll have to wait before you can change it again.
• Temporary Lockout: If you attempt to change your birthday too many times in a short period, Facebook might temporarily lock you out from changing it again. This lockout period can vary.

If you encounter a message stating that you can’t change your birthday, it’s likely because you’ve reached the change limit or triggered a temporary lockout. In such cases, you’ll need to wait until the lockout period expires or contact Facebook support for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about changing your birthday on Facebook, designed to cover various scenarios and provide comprehensive guidance.

1. How often can I change my birthday on Facebook?

Facebook limits the number of times you can change your birthday. While the exact number isn’t explicitly stated, attempting to change it excessively in a short period will likely result in a temporary lockout.

2. What happens if I reach the birthday change limit?

If you’ve reached the limit, Facebook will display a message indicating you cannot change your birthday at this time. You’ll need to wait until the lockout period expires before attempting to change it again. The duration of this period is not fixed and can vary.

3. Can I hide my birthday from everyone on Facebook?

Yes, you can hide your birthday from everyone. When editing your birthday, adjust the privacy settings to “Only Me.” This ensures that only you can see your birthday on your profile.

4. How do I control who sees my birthday notifications?

You can’t directly control who receives birthday notifications. Facebook automatically sends notifications to your friends. However, by hiding your birthday from your profile, you can prevent notifications from being sent out. People can still see your birthday if they go to your profile, though.

5. I accidentally entered the wrong birthday. What should I do?

If you accidentally entered the wrong birthday, correct it as soon as possible. Follow the steps outlined above to edit your birthday. Be mindful of the change limits to avoid a lockout.

6. Can I change my birthday back to what it was previously?

Yes, you can change your birthday back to its previous setting, provided you haven’t reached the change limit. Follow the standard procedure to edit your birthday and select the previous date.

7. How do I change my birthday if I don’t remember the original one?

If you don’t remember the original birthday you entered, you might need to estimate or use a date that you’re comfortable with. Be cautious, as changing it frequently might trigger Facebook’s security measures.

8. Can I change my birthday using the Facebook Lite app?

Yes, the process is similar on the Facebook Lite app. Navigate to your profile, access the “About” section, and edit your basic info, including your birthday.

9. What if I can’t find the “Edit” button in the “Basic Info” section?

Ensure you’re logged in to your account and viewing your own profile. Sometimes, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or updating the Facebook app can resolve interface issues. If the problem persists, contact Facebook support.

10. Does changing my birthday affect my age on Facebook?

Yes, changing your birthday will directly affect the age displayed on your Facebook profile, if you have chosen to display your age. This is the primary way Facebook calculates and displays age-related information.

11. Will my friends be notified when I change my birthday?

Facebook generally doesn’t notify your friends when you change your birthday. However, if your privacy settings are set to “Public,” some friends might notice the change.

12. I’m locked out of changing my birthday. How long do I have to wait?

The lockout period varies and isn’t explicitly defined by Facebook. It could range from a few days to several weeks. If the issue persists, consider contacting Facebook support for assistance. They may be able to provide more specific guidance. Remember to be patient, as resolving such issues can sometimes take time.