Few things can send your heart racing faster than realizing your Messenger account has been hacked. One minute, you’re chatting with friends or managing your business inbox — and the next, messages are being sent that you didn’t write, or you’re locked out altogether. It’s a frustrating and scary experience, but here’s the good news: you can recover your Messenger account if it’s been compromised.
This guide breaks down exactly what to do — step-by-step — to regain control, secure your personal data, and prevent future hacks. Whether you’re a casual user or a small business owner relying on Messenger for communication, these proven recovery methods will get you back on track quickly.
Understanding What Happens When Your Messenger Account Gets Hacked
Before diving into recovery, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening behind the scenes.
When hackers gain access to your Messenger account, they typically do so by stealing your login credentials — either through phishing, weak passwords, or data breaches. Once inside, they can change your password, send spam messages, or worse, impersonate you to scam friends and family.
In some cases, they might not even log you out — instead, they use your active session to monitor conversations or collect personal information silently. That’s why acting fast is critical: the longer a hacker has access, the more damage they can do.
Step 1: Identify the Signs of a Hacked Messenger Account
If your Messenger behaves strangely, that’s your first red flag. Some of the most common signs include:
- You’re suddenly logged out of your account on all devices.
- Friends report receiving suspicious messages or links from you.
- You notice messages you didn’t send.
- Your Facebook profile name, email, or recovery options have changed.
- Login notifications from unknown devices or locations appear.
The moment you spot any of these signs, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to recover your account.
Step 2: Try Logging In Immediately
Go to facebook.com or open your Messenger app and attempt to log in using your existing password.
If you can still access your account, change your password immediately.
Here’s how:
- Go to Settings & Privacy → Security and Login.
- Click Change Password.
- Choose a new, strong password (at least 12 characters, with upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols).
Once that’s done, go back to “Where You’re Logged In” under Security and log out of all devices you don’t recognize.
This step alone can stop the hacker in their tracks.
Step 3: Use the Facebook “Hacked Account” Tool
If you can’t log in anymore, don’t panic. Facebook has a built-in recovery tool specifically for hacked accounts.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to facebook.com/hacked.
- Select “My account is compromised.”
- Enter your email, phone number, or username associated with the account.
- Follow the prompts to verify your identity and reset your password.
Facebook will then ask you to review recent activities — such as sent messages, new friend requests, and login locations — to ensure everything looks correct. If something seems off, flag it during this process.
This method works for both Facebook and Messenger since they’re connected under the same login credentials.
Step 4: Recover Using Your Email or Phone Number
If your password has been changed but you still have access to your email address or phone number linked to the account, recovery becomes easier.
- On the Facebook login page, click “Forgot password?”
- Enter your email or phone number to search for your account.
- Choose the method to receive a verification code (via SMS or email).
- Enter the code and reset your password.
Once you regain access, review your login activity immediately and log out any suspicious devices.
Step 5: Report the Hacker and Secure Your Account
If the hacker is actively using your account to scam others, report the compromised profile to Facebook.
You can do this by:
- Going to the profile page of your hacked account (if visible).
- Clicking the three dots under the cover photo.
- Selecting Find support or report profile → Pretending to be me.
Additionally, alert your friends that your account was hacked so they don’t fall for any fake messages or phishing links that were sent from your profile.
Step 6: Use Identity Verification If Locked Out Completely
Sometimes, hackers change your recovery details (like email and phone), leaving you with no access. In that case, Facebook identity verification is your best option.
Here’s how to proceed:
- Visit facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339.
- Upload a clear photo of a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, or national ID card).
- Fill out the form explaining that your Messenger account has been hacked and that you lost recovery access.
Facebook typically reviews and responds within a few days. Once verified, you’ll regain access to your account and can reset your security settings.
Step 7: Review and Strengthen Your Security Settings
After recovering your Messenger account, it’s time to tighten your defenses to prevent future hacks.
Here’s your security checklist:
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile) instead of SMS for added protection.
- Update Your Recovery Options: Add both a backup email and an up-to-date phone number.
- Turn on Login Alerts: Get notified whenever your account is accessed from a new device.
- Use a Strong Password: Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms.
- Review Connected Apps: Remove suspicious third-party apps or games linked to your Facebook account.
Taking these steps ensures your Messenger stays safe — even if someone tries to hack it again.
Step 8: Clean Up After the Hack
Once you’ve regained control, you should:
- Delete suspicious posts or messages sent during the hack.
- Inform friends and family that your account was compromised — and not to click any strange links.
- Check your email inbox for notifications about password resets or login attempts.
- Run antivirus or anti-malware scans on all your devices to ensure no malicious software is lingering.
Remember, hackers often gain access through malware or phishing emails. Cleaning your devices is just as important as securing your account.
Step 9: Stay Alert for Phishing Attempts
Hackers are smart — and persistent. They might try to regain access by sending fake recovery emails or “security alerts” that look official.
Here’s how to spot phishing attempts:
- The sender’s email address looks suspicious (e.g., facebook-support123@gmail.com instead of @facebook.com).
- The message urges you to act urgently or threatens account deletion.
- It contains misspellings or odd formatting.
- The link doesn’t lead to an official Facebook domain.
Always visit facebook.com directly instead of clicking links in emails or messages.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Messenger Separate from Business Tools
If you use Messenger for business purposes (for example, managing a business page or customer communication), set up a separate admin account with limited privileges.
That way, if one account gets hacked, your business page and other connected tools remain safe.
Additionally, connect your business page to Meta Business Suite for better control over admin permissions and security monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: I tried all recovery steps, but I still can’t access my Messenger account. What should I do?
If you’ve exhausted all recovery methods — password reset, ID verification, and hacked account reporting — your best option is to use the Facebook Help Center. Go to facebook.com/help and submit a detailed request under “Login Issues” or “Hacked Accounts.” Include proof of ownership, such as old screenshots or messages, and be patient. Response times can vary depending on the volume of requests.
Q2: Can I recover Messenger messages after my account was hacked?
Yes, but it depends on the situation. If you regain access quickly, your chat history should remain intact since messages are stored on Facebook’s servers. However, if the hacker deleted messages before you regained control, they’re usually gone for good — Facebook doesn’t restore deleted chats. You can, however, check your connected devices (like Messenger Lite or desktop versions) to see if cached versions of chats are still visible.
Final Thoughts
Getting your Messenger account hacked is a digital nightmare — but it’s one you can recover from. The key is to act fast, follow Facebook’s official recovery steps, and secure your account thoroughly afterward.
Once you’ve regained control, treat your Messenger like a vault — strengthen your password, enable two-factor authentication, and stay alert for suspicious messages.
The internet can be unpredictable, but with the right security habits, your Messenger — and your peace of mind — will stay intact.