Finding your Facebook User ID and username is essential for various purposes, such as linking to external websites, integrating apps, or troubleshooting issues. While Facebook no longer prominently displays these details on your profile, there are still several simple ways to find them. Here’s how you can easily locate your Facebook User ID and username.
1. Finding Your Facebook User ID Through Your Profile URL
Every Facebook account has a unique user ID, which is typically a string of numbers. If you don’t have a custom username set, this ID will appear directly in your profile URL. Here’s how you can locate it:
Steps:
- Log in to your Facebook account on a desktop or mobile browser.
- Navigate to your profile by clicking on your name or profile picture.
- Look at the URL in the address bar of your browser.
- If the URL looks like facebook.com/username, your username is visible.
- If the URL is facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789, the string of numbers after id= is your Facebook User ID.
Why It Works:
The URL of your profile will always include either your Facebook User ID or your username, making it easy to find both identifiers.
2. Using the Facebook Mobile App (Profile Section)
On mobile, you can still find your Facebook User ID and username by navigating to your profile section in the app.
Steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right or bottom-right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.
- Under Account Settings, tap Personal Information.
- Here, you’ll see your Username listed. For the User ID, you can refer to the same steps as above using the mobile browser method, as the app doesn’t directly show the numeric ID.
Why It Works:
While the app doesn’t directly display your Facebook User ID, it’s an easy way to access your Username under personal settings.
3. Using Facebook’s Graph API
For those who are comfortable with using basic developer tools, the Facebook Graph API provides a quick way to find your Facebook User ID. This method works for any public profile and requires minimal technical knowledge.
Steps:
- Open your browser and go to: https://developers.facebook.com/tools/explorer/.
- Log in to the Facebook Developer tools if prompted.
- In the Graph API Explorer, type in the following command in the query box:
/me?fields=id,name. - Click Submit.
- The response will show your User ID and Username (if available).
Why It Works:
The Graph API pulls data directly from Facebook’s servers, making it a reliable method to obtain your Facebook User ID.
4. Inspecting Your Profile Source Code (Desktop Method)
If you prefer a more hands-on method, you can inspect your profile page’s source code to locate your Facebook User ID. This is an excellent option if you’re using a desktop browser.
Steps:
- Open Facebook in your browser and navigate to your profile.
- Right-click on the page and select View Page Source (the name may vary depending on your browser).
- Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac) to open the search function.
- Type “userID” in the search bar.
- In the source code, you’ll find a string that looks like “userID”:”123456789″. The number is your Facebook User ID.
Why It Works:
The page source contains all the metadata, including your User ID. Searching for “userID” will pinpoint the exact location in the code.
FAQs: Finding Your Facebook User ID and Username
Q1: What is a Facebook User ID?
A: A Facebook User ID is a unique number assigned to every Facebook account, which helps Facebook identify each user. If you don’t have a custom username, your User ID will appear in your profile URL.
Q2: What is a Facebook Username?
A: Your Facebook Username is a custom name you can choose for your profile, which replaces the default number-based User ID in the profile URL. For example, instead of facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789, it would appear as facebook.com/username.
Q3: Can I change my Facebook Username?
A: Yes, you can change your Facebook username by going to Settings > Personal Information > Username. Keep in mind that Facebook has certain guidelines for usernames, and once changed, it can’t be altered again for a short period.
Q4: Can I find my Facebook User ID on the mobile app?
A: While the mobile app doesn’t directly show your Facebook User ID, you can find your Username under Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information. For the User ID, you can use the Graph API or browser methods.
Q5: Why do I need my Facebook User ID?
A: Your Facebook User ID is required when integrating third-party apps or linking to external websites. It’s also useful for troubleshooting account issues or linking Facebook with other services like websites and apps.
Q6: Will Facebook allow me to see other people’s User IDs?
A: No, Facebook keeps other users’ IDs private, and accessing someone else’s ID without permission may violate Facebook’s terms of service. However, you can view public information related to a user, such as their username.
Q7: Can I use the Graph API to find someone else’s User ID?
A: You can only retrieve information about a public profile or with the user’s permission. The Graph API is designed to access data that is available based on privacy settings.
Q8: Is there any way to retrieve my Facebook User ID if I forget it?
A: Yes, you can use the methods described above (like checking your profile URL or using the Graph API) to find your User ID. If you forget your Facebook username, it’s also recoverable from your profile settings.
Q9: What happens if I delete my Facebook account?
A: Once your Facebook account is deleted, your User ID and username become inactive. Your profile will no longer be accessible, and any data linked to your User ID will be deleted as well.
Q10: How can I prevent my Facebook username from being taken?
A: To ensure your preferred username is available, select a unique name that isn’t likely to be used by others. You can check availability by attempting to create or change your username in Facebook’s settings.
Conclusion
Finding your Facebook User ID and username can be done easily with the methods described above. Whether you’re using the profile URL, mobile app, Graph API, or inspecting the source code, these options will help you quickly locate your identifiers. Having access to this information can be valuable for customizing your Facebook experience or linking your profile to external services.
