Facebook gives you two separate paths: deactivation, which hides your profile temporarily, or deletion, which removes it permanently after 30 days

Deactivation is reversible. Your profile, photos, and messages disappear from public view, but Facebook keeps your data. You can log back in anytime within those 30 days and your account returns unchanged. Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from its servers. You cannot undo this.

Most people choose deactivation first because it lets you change your mind. If you decide you want your account back, you straightforward log in again. Deletion makes sense only if you are certain you will not want to return.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data; you can reactivate anytime within 30 days by logging in again.
  • Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days and cannot be reversed, so read your photos and messages first if you want to keep them.
  • Facebook's read tool lets you save a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before you delete.
  • Deactivation does not remove you from group chats or Messenger; deletion removes you from both after the 30-day window closes.
  • If you use your Facebook account to log into other apps or websites, those logins will stop working after deletion.

How to deactivate your account

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings. Click Account in the left menu, then scroll to Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and select a reason for leaving. You do not have to answer the reason question — you can skip it.

After you confirm, your profile disappears. Friends cannot search for you or see your posts. Your name may still appear in old comments or messages, but clicking it will not take anyone to your profile. You stay in Messenger and group chats unless you leave them manually.

If you change your mind, log in with your email and password anytime in the next 30 days. Your account reactivates when ready with everything restored.

How to permanently delete your account

Go to Settings, click Account, then Deactivation and Deletion. This time choose Delete Account. Facebook will ask for your password and a reason. Confirm the deletion.

Your profile disappears right away, but Facebook keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. During this window, if you log in, the deletion cancels and your account comes back. After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes your information from its servers. You cannot recover it.

Some data takes longer to disappear. Copies of your photos or posts that other people shared may stay visible on their profiles. Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes. Backups of your data may exist on Facebook's servers for months, but you will not be able to access them.

read your data before you delete

Facebook's read tool creates a file with your photos, videos, posts, messages, and friend list. This takes a few minutes to prepare. Go to Settings, click Your Information in the left menu, then read Your Information. Choose the date range (usually "All of My Information"), select which categories you want, and click Request a read.

Facebook emails you a link when the file is ready, usually within a few hours. The file is compressed and may be large — 10 gigabytes or more if you have years of photos. You can read it to your computer and save it however you want. This step is optional but worth doing if you have photos or messages you want to keep.

What happens to your logins and apps

If you use "Log in with Facebook" to access other websites or apps, those logins stop working after deletion. Services like Spotify, Pinterest, or dating apps that let you sign in with your Facebook account will no longer recognize you. You will need to create a new account or use a different login method.

Check which apps and websites use your Facebook login before you delete. Go to Settings, click Apps and Websites, and review the list. You can remove apps now if you want, or create passwords on those services so you can log in after your Facebook account is gone.

What stays visible after you delete

Your profile and posts disappear, but not everything connected to you. Comments you left on other people's posts remain visible with your name attached — though clicking your name will not lead anywhere. Photos that friends tagged you in stay on their profiles. Messages you sent to people stay in their inboxes.

If you were part of a group or event, your membership record may stay in the group's history. Some of this can be cleaned up manually before you delete — you can untag yourself from photos, delete old comments, or leave groups. But anything someone else posted about you or with you in it will remain on their account.

Reactivating after deactivation

You have 30 days to change your mind. straightforward log in to Facebook with your email and password. Your account reactivates when ready. Your profile, photos, friends list, and messages all return exactly as they were.

After 30 days, reactivation is no longer possible. If you deleted your account and want to come back, you have to create a new account from scratch. You cannot recover the old one or its data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account but keep Messenger?

No. Deleting your Facebook account also deletes your Messenger account. You will lose access to all your messages and conversations. If you want to keep Messenger, you must deactivate instead of delete. Deactivation keeps Messenger active so people can still reach you.

Will my friends know I deleted my account?

Your friends will notice you are gone — your profile will not appear in their friend list and they cannot message you. Facebook does not send a notification saying you deleted your account, but people will see that you are no longer there when they try to find you.

What if I want to delete my account but keep my photos?

read your information before you delete. Go to Settings, click Your Information, then read Your Information. Choose all categories and request the read. Facebook will email you a file with all your photos, videos, and posts. Save this file to your computer, then proceed with deletion.

Can someone else delete my Facebook account?

No. Only you can delete your account, and only with your password. If you think someone has access to your account, change your password when ready. Go to Settings, click Security and Login, then Change Password. Use a strong password you have not used anywhere else.

How long does it take for Facebook to fully delete my account?

Your profile disappears when ready, but Facebook keeps your data for 30 days. If you do not log in during that time, the deletion becomes permanent and your information is removed from Facebook's servers. Some backup copies may persist longer, but you will not be able to access them.