How to Edit a Post on Facebook (and What Edit History Shows)

We've all hit Post and then spotted the typo, the wrong date or the link that goes nowhere. The good news is that you don't need to delete the post and lose the likes and comments it's already picked up. Facebook lets you edit most of your own posts after they're live, and for a business Page that's a lifesaver when an event time changes or an offer ends early.

Facebook's help pages don't load in full outside the app, so the steps here follow summaries of Facebook's help content and the post menu as it's widely described. Menus vary by app version, so the wording on your screen may differ slightly.

Edit a Facebook post on your phone

1. Find your post on your profile, Page or in a group.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right of the post.
3. Tap Edit post.
4. Make your changes to the text. You can usually add or remove tags and adjust some other details too.
5. Tap Save or Done.

Edit a Facebook post on a computer

1. Find the post and click the three dots in its top right corner.
2. Click Edit post.
3. Change the text, then click Save.

On a business Page, switch into the Page first so you're editing as the Page rather than as yourself. Otherwise the Edit post option may not show.

What you can and can't change when editing a Facebook post

Change	Usually possible?	Tip
Fix spelling or wording	Yes	The quickest and most common edit
Add or remove a tagged person	Yes	Remove a tag if someone asks you to
Change who can see the post	Yes, from the audience selector	Use the three dots or the audience icon by the date
Edit a photo caption	Yes	Open the photo and edit the description
Swap the photo or video itself	Often limited	Delete and repost if you can't swap it
Edit someone else's post	No	Only the person who posted it can edit it

If you can't change what you need, it might be better to remove the post. I've weighed that up in my guide on whether to delete a Facebook post or hide it.

Facebook edit history: what other people can see

This is the bit that catches people out. When you edit a post after sharing it, Facebook keeps a record of the changes. People who can see your post can usually open the three dots menu and choose View edit history to see earlier versions. If the post has never been edited, that option doesn't appear.

That means editing isn't a way to quietly rewrite what you said. If you've posted something you regret, edit it to correct it, but don't assume the old wording has vanished. For anything sensitive, deleting the post is the cleaner option.

Editing also doesn't send a fresh notification to everyone who saw the original, as far as the help summaries I could find go. People who already read the post won't necessarily notice the change, so if a correction matters, for example a new event date, say so clearly at the top of the post or in a comment.

Editing a Facebook post for a business: good habits

• Fix the error fast and add a short note like "Updated with the new time" so people trust it.
• Don't change the meaning of a post that customers have already commented on. Their comments will look odd under different wording.
• Check links after editing, because a changed link may not update the preview card.
• Once it's right, consider whether it's worth keeping at the top. Here's how pinning or Featured works on Facebook.
• If you've added a tag while editing, the person may be notified. My guide to tagging someone on Facebook explains what a tag does.

Editing Facebook comments too

Comments can be edited as well. Tap and hold your comment on the phone app, or hover and click the three dots on a computer, and choose Edit. Facebook marks edited comments, and people can see the earlier versions, just like with posts. You can only edit your own comments.

Changing the audience of a Facebook post after posting

Sometimes the post is fine but the wrong people can see it. You don't need Edit post for that. On your own profile, tap the small audience icon next to the date on the post (it might show a globe for Public or two people for Friends), or open the three dots and look for an option to edit the audience. Choose the new audience and save.

Tightening the audience doesn't undo shares that have already happened, and people who saw the post before your change will have seen it. Group posts follow the group's own privacy, so you can't change their audience on a single post.

Editing Facebook posts in a group

In a group you can usually edit your own posts through the same three dots menu. A few things are different, though:

• Some groups need posts approved by an admin, and an edit may send your post back for review.
• Admins and moderators can remove posts but can't rewrite what you said.
• If you can't see Edit post on a group post, check whether it's still waiting for approval.

If you can't edit your Facebook post

• Check it's your post. You can't edit posts other people made, even on your own profile.
• In a group, the post may be locked by an admin or pending approval.
• Some post types, such as certain shares or posts with attached features, have limited editing.
• On a Page, make sure you're switched into the Page with the right access.
• Update the app or try on a computer if the option's missing on your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Can people see that I edited my Facebook post?

Yes. Edited posts can show View edit history in the post's menu, and people who can see the post can usually open it.

Can I delete the edit history of a Facebook post?

Not from the help content I could find. If you need the old wording gone, delete the post instead.

Does editing a Facebook post notify people?

The help summaries I found don't say that everyone is notified. If someone is newly tagged in your edit, they may be notified.

Can I change the photo in a Facebook post after posting?

It's often limited. If you can't swap it, delete and repost. Menus vary by app version.

Why is Edit post missing on my Facebook Page?

Switch into the Page first and check your access. Updating the app also helps.