Facebook Date of Birth Locked or "You Must Be 18": How Do I Fix It Without Losing My Account?

Facebook won't let you change your date of birth, or says you must be 18? How age verification works and how to fix it safely.

Md Shariar Shanaz ShuvonMd Shariar Shanaz ShuvonFounder & CEO, AwareXone
2 min read
Cover card with a calendar and padlock, for fixing a locked date of birth on Facebook.
Short answer

If Facebook locks your date of birth or says you must be 18 for a feature, it may ask you to verify your age with an ID or a video selfie. Follow the prompt in the app; Meta says video selfies are used for age estimation and deleted after. Changing your age repeatedly can trigger review or restrictions.

Summary
  • Facebook limits birthday changes.
  • Age checks use ID or video selfie.
  • Meta says selfie videos are deleted after the check.
  • Repeated changes can trigger review.
  • Wrong under-13 ages can lead to removal.
Table of contents4 sections
  1. 01How does age verification work?
  2. 02How do I fix it?
  3. 03What common mistakes should I avoid?
  4. 04When should I ask an expert before I act?

Here's how to fix a locked birthday.

Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide.

#How does age verification work?

MethodWhat happens
Video selfieAge is estimated; Meta says the video is deleted after
ID uploadChecked, then stored for a limited time

#How do I fix it?

  1. Open the prompt or Settings, Personal details.
  2. Choose video selfie or ID.
  3. Follow the steps in good light.
  4. Wait for the result.

Related guides: Facebook Disabled for Spam or Fake Engagement: What Triggered It and Can It Be Recovered?, Can I Make a New Facebook Account After a Permanent Ban, or Will It Get Disabled Too?, Why Is Facebook Blocking or Hiding My Page Posts With Links? (Meta One Link Limits).

#What common mistakes should I avoid?

  • Entering a different age repeatedly.
  • Uploading someone else's ID.
  • Recording the selfie in poor light.
  • Clicking fake 'age check' links.

#When should I ask an expert before I act?

Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen.

AwareXone has solved 1,300+ cases and works only through official platform processes. Support is available 24 hours, every day. We never ask for your password, login codes or backup codes, and we never name our clients. Request a free case review or message us on WhatsApp. Malaysian cases are priced in MYR; other markets are quoted in USD after review.

AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision.

How long does review take?
Usually up to a few days.
Can I appeal a wrong result?
Use the option shown, or try ID.
Will I lose my account?
Not if you're over the minimum age.
Can you help?
Yes, a free review.
Can AwareXone check my case before I appeal?
Yes. AwareXone offers a free case review. Send us what you see on screen and what you have already tried, and an expert will tell you whether to appeal, wait or take another route. We never ask for your password or codes.

Official sources

More free guides on the same kind of problem.