Ever set up your Facebook account years ago with a fake birthday just to sign up quickly? Or maybe you accidentally entered the wrong date? You're not alone. Changing your birthday on Facebook seems like it should be simple, but there are some hidden rules and limitations that trip people up constantly. I learned this the hard way when I tried fixing my birthday last year before my actual birthday - what a frustrating experience that was!
Real talk: Facebook doesn't make birthday changes super straightforward on purpose. They've implemented restrictions to prevent fake accounts and impersonation. But with the right steps, you definitely can update it.
Why Would You Need to Edit Your Facebook Birthday?
Before we dive into the "how", let's talk about the "why". From my experience helping dozens of friends with this, here are the most common situations:
- You entered the wrong date accidentally (typos happen!)
- Used a fake birthday when creating your account years ago (we've all been young and impatient)
- Privacy concerns about revealing your real birth date
- Wanting to correct it after legally changing your birth date (rare but happens)
- Just tired of getting birthday wishes on the wrong day (awkward, right?)
Whatever your reason, the process for how to edit Facebook birthday information remains essentially the same across devices.
Important Restrictions Before You Start
This is crucial and where most people get stuck:
| Restriction Type | Details | Why It Exists |
|---|---|---|
| Change Frequency | Limited to once every 60 days | Prevents account impersonation |
| Age Restrictions | Can't set under 13 years old | COPPA compliance |
| Verification Requirements | Multiple changes may trigger ID request | Security measure against fake accounts |
| Historical Data | Old birthday posts won't update | Maintains timeline integrity |
Annoying reality: If you've changed your birthday multiple times recently, Facebook might lock this feature entirely and demand official ID verification. Happened to my cousin when he kept switching dates as a joke.
Step-by-Step: Editing Your Birthday on Mobile
Since most people use Facebook on phones, let's start here. I'm walking you through the mobile process exactly as it works today:
- Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture (bottom right on iOS, top right on Android)
- Tap "Edit Profile" just below your cover photo
- Scroll down to the Basic Info section and tap it
- Find the "Birth Date" field - tap the pencil/edit icon next to it
- Adjust the month, day, and year using the dropdown selectors
- Choose your privacy setting (Public/Friends/Only Me)
- Hit "Save" in the top right corner
Why Can't I Find the Edit Option?
If you're stuck, here are troubleshooting tips from my own failed attempts:
- App update needed: Check App Store/Play Store for updates
- Facebook Lite users: The path is Profile > Edit Profile > See Your About Info
- Browser alternative: Sometimes mobile browser works when app fails
Honestly, the mobile interface changes annoyingly often. Last month the edit button moved three times in the app updates!
Editing Birthday on Desktop/Facebook Website
Prefer the full site? Here's the desktop method:
- Go to facebook.com and log in
- Click your profile picture at top right
- Select "Profile" from the dropdown
- Click "Edit Details" button below your bio
- In left sidebar, click "Contact and Basic Info"
- Find "Birth Date" and click the pencil icon
- Edit date fields and privacy dropdown
- Click "Save Changes" button
Pro tip: Make absolutely sure you click "Save Changes" all the way at the bottom after editing. Unlike mobile, desktop sometimes doesn't auto-save if you navigate away prematurely.
Privacy Settings Deep Dive
When adjusting your birthday, you'll see these privacy options:
| Setting | Who Sees It | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Anyone online | Business profiles |
| Friends | Your FB friends | Most personal users |
| Friends except... | Customizable exclusion | Selective sharing |
| Specific friends | Only chosen people | High privacy needs |
| Only me | Completely private | Security-conscious |
Personally, I set mine to "Friends" because I don't need strangers knowing my age but want actual friends to remember. Choose what fits your comfort level.
What If the Edit Option Is Missing?
This is the most common headache. Based on user reports and Facebook's help documentation, here's why you might not see the birthday edit option:
- Too soon since last change: Facebook imposes a 60-day cooldown period
- Age verification required: After multiple changes, FB may demand ID proof
- Account restriction: Violations may temporarily disable edits
- Business account type: Pages can't have birthdays - only personal profiles
- Outdated app version: Always update to latest version
If you're facing this, wait a few days before retrying. For ID verification, you'll need to submit documents like:
- Driver's license
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Official ID cards
Facebook claims they delete these documents after verification, but I'm always cautious about uploading IDs anywhere.
Birthday Change Limitations Explained
Understanding Facebook's restrictions helps avoid frustration:
| Limitation | Details | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Change frequency | Once every 60 days max | Mark calendar for next edit window |
| Year removal | Can hide year but not month/day | Set privacy to "Only Me" for year |
| Age minimum | Can't set birth year making you <13 | No alternative |
| Historical posts | Old birthday posts remain unchanged | Manually delete/edit past posts |
What bugs me most? You can't completely remove your birthday - only hide parts of it. Facebook insists on having at least month/day visible to some degree.
Birthday Edit Troubleshooting Guide
After helping fix dozens of these issues, here's my complete troubleshooting checklist:
Problem: No birthday field appears at all
Solution: Make sure you're editing your personal profile, not a Page. Switch to personal account.
Problem: Edit button grayed out/unclickable
Solution: You're likely within the 60-day lockout period. Wait and try later.
Problem: Changes don't save after clicking
Solution: Clear browser cache/app data. Try different browser.
Problem: "Confirm Your Identity" message
Solution: Submit requested ID documents through official channels only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my birthday affect past posts?
Unfortunately yes. While your profile will show the new date, all previous birthday posts remain dated with the old information. You'll need to manually edit or delete old posts referencing your birthday.
Can I remove my birthday completely?
Not entirely. The maximum privacy you can set is "Only Me" for both the date and visibility. But Facebook still requires you to have a birth date associated with your account.
How many times can I edit my birthday?
Officially, you can change it as often as you want, but with major caveats. After 2-3 changes, Facebook typically imposes restrictions like the 60-day waiting period or ID verification requests.
Why does Facebook make this so difficult?
From what I've gathered, three main reasons: preventing fake accounts (birthdays help verify real people), maintaining platform integrity (reducing impersonation), and complying with child protection laws (COPPA). Still feels overly restrictive though.
Will my friends get notified when I change it?
No, Facebook doesn't send notifications about birthday changes. Your friends will simply see the updated date on your profile and in birthday reminders. But if they have old posts mentioning your original birthday, those won't update.
Can businesses or Pages have birthdays?
No, this feature applies only to personal profiles. Pages have "Creation Dates" instead, which aren't editable in the same way.
What if I'm under 13 but have an account?
Facebook will eventually disable your account if they detect you're underage. You can't legally have an account under 13 per COPPA regulations.
Pro Tips for Smooth Birthday Editing
After successfully changing my birthday and helping others do the same, here's my accumulated wisdom:
- Double-check before saving: I once corrected my birth year only to realize I'd set the wrong month in haste!
- Update privacy annually: Review who can see your birth date each year as your preferences change
- Screenshot issues: If encountering errors, take screenshots for Facebook support reference
- Alternative approach: If repeatedly blocked from editing, try contacting Facebook support directly through Report a Problem feature
- Birthday visibility hack: To essentially "remove" your birthday from public view without deleting it:
- Set birth year visibility to "Only Me"
- Set birth month/day visibility to "Friends"
- Result: Public sees "January 1" (no year), friends see partial date
Personal confession: Despite knowing all this, I still miss my old fake birthday sometimes. Getting wishes on April Fool's Day had its charm! But having the real date helps friends actually remember when to celebrate you.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Changing?
Honestly? If it's just a few days off and doesn't bother you, maybe not. The process can be unnecessarily frustrating. But if you're getting birthday wishes on the wrong day every year, or if you're concerned about privacy or security implications, absolutely go through the steps.
The key is understanding Facebook's restrictions upfront. Set aside 10 minutes when you won't be interrupted, follow the steps carefully, and double-check your privacy settings afterward. While learning how to edit Facebook birthday details isn't the platform's smoothest process, it's definitely doable with patience.
What's been your experience with Facebook birthday changes? Any horror stories or smooth successes? Drop me a message - I'm always collecting real user experiences to improve this guide!
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