Two-factor authentication commonly referred to as 2FA is an important security feature that plays a key role in protecting your online profile including a Facebook account.
But then again there may arise a time when you might wish to turn off this particular feature.
Normally, the process of deactivating two-factor authentication on Facebook should involve signing into the account but in cases where the account owner is locked out of the Facebook page under question, this can be quite hard especially if you have lost the means through which you generate the second factor or you have forgotten the password.
In this series of authentication guides, we are going to show you How to turn off two-factor authentication Facebook without logging in.
In this chapter, we will look at procedures, things to try, and others that you can do if you are locked out of an account.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication on Facebook?
Before we dive into how to disable it, let’s quickly go over what two-factor authentication is. Facebook’s 2FA requires users to provide two forms of identification before they can access their accounts.
This usually involves:
- Your password (something you know).
- A verification code is sent to your phone number, email, or authentication app (something you have).
This added layer of security helps protect your account from unauthorized access, but it can sometimes cause trouble if you’re unable to receive the verification code or have lost access to your phone.
Why Would You Want to Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication?
There are several reasons why you might want to turn off 2FA on Facebook:
- Lost Access to Your Authentication Method: If you’ve lost your phone or can’t receive the verification code.
- Changing Phones: If you’ve upgraded your device and are having trouble setting up 2FA again.
- Inconvenience: Some users find 2FA to be too time-consuming, though it’s recommended for enhanced security.
- Trouble Logging In: If you can’t get into your account because of issues with the authentication method.
How To Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Facebook Without Logging In
If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot log into Facebook normally but want to disable two-factor authentication, you may still have options to regain access and turn off the feature.
Here are a few methods that can help you with how to turn off two-factor authentication on Facebook without logging in.
🔖 Use Facebook’s Account Recovery Tool
If you’re unable to log in due to two-factor authentication issues, you can use Facebook’s Account Recovery Tool to regain access to your account.
Step 1: Go to the Facebook login page.
Step 2: Click on the “Forgotten Account?” link below the password field.
Step 3: Enter your email address, phone number, or username associated with your Facebook account.
Step 4: Facebook will send a verification code to your registered email or phone number. However, since you’re trying to disable 2FA without logging in, you may not have access to the phone or email connected to your account. In this case, Facebook will give you the option to use an alternate email or phone number if you’ve provided one during the account recovery process.
Step 5: Once you gain access, follow the prompts to reset your password and disable two-factor authentication. After resetting your password, you’ll be logged into your Facebook account, where you can go to your security settings and turn off two-factor authentication.
🔖 Contact Facebook Support for Assistance
If you can’t recover your account through the account recovery tool, you can reach out to Facebook support for help. They offer support for users who are locked out of their accounts due to two-factor authentication problems.
- Step 1: Go to the Facebook Help Center.
- Step 2: Search for terms like “two-factor authentication issues” or “can’t log in.”
- Step 3: Facebook will provide you with a list of troubleshooting options. If those don’t resolve the issue, you can contact their support team directly for further assistance.
Facebook support will ask for specific details about your account, such as your name, the email address associated with the account, and any additional details that might help them verify your identity.
🔖 Disable Two-Factor Authentication Using Your Backup Codes
These are just basic options that are left active on your account; if you have earlier configured backup codes for use in two-factor verification on Facebook, then these codes can be used for verification.
This secondary code is usually provided to you when you first set up two-factor codes and is designed to be used if you are unable to receive the normal authentication code.
Step 1: Locate your backup codes, which you should have saved when enabling 2FA. If you don’t have them, look through your email for any message from Facebook containing the backup codes.
Step 2: Go to the Facebook login page.
Step 3: Enter your email and password as usual.
Step 4: When prompted for the verification code, enter one of your backup codes instead.
Step 5: Once logged in, you can go to your Security and Login settings to disable two-factor authentication entirely.
Backup codes offer a way to regain access when you can’t use the usual authentication methods, making them a valuable option for users who want to disable two-factor authentication on Facebook without logging in the traditional way.
🔖 Use Trusted Contacts to Recover Your Account
Another option for users who cannot access their Facebook accounts due to two-factor authentication is using Trusted Contacts.
Trusted Contacts is a feature Facebook allows users to set up, where you designate friends who can help you recover your account.
Step 1: Visit the Facebook login page and click on “Forgotten Account?”.
Step 2: Enter your account email address or phone number.
Step 3: If Facebook recognizes your account and prompts you with options, select “No longer have access to these?”.
Step 4: Facebook will then provide a list of your Trusted Contacts.
Step 5: Contact your Trusted Contacts and ask them to visit the recovery link Facebook sends them, then send the code they receive back to you. With the help of your Trusted Contacts, you can recover your account and turn off two-factor authentication.
🔖 Check Your Email for Account Access Notifications
If the Facebook system has noticed that someone is using your account or you have been locked due to problems with two-factor authentication, you may receive an email from Facebook with an explanation of how to resolve the issue.
It may contain a password reset link or you can choose your ID to verify using your email or phone number you have with us.
Read the message in the email very carefully and when you get back to your account, go to Security Settings and turn off two-factor authentication.
Conclusion: How To Turn off Two-Factor Authentication Facebook Without Logging In
It is impossible to delete two-factor authentication on Facebook without logging in, but it is possible to prevent it with a few difficulties.
To regain domain over your lost account, one has to use recovery tools offered by Facebook, use the backup codes, or simply contact the support.
After you are logged in, you can then go about the normal course in your Security readouts and switch off two-factor authentication.
Just the same, understanding that toggling the two-factor authentication off might leave your profile open to intrusions, use other security measures around the account by, for instance, resetting a strong password to protect the account from potential threats.