Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind after deletion
When you request to delete your Facebook account, the company does not remove it when ready. Instead, Facebook puts your account into a 30-day grace period. During this time, your profile, photos, and messages remain on Facebook's servers. If you log back in at any point during those 30 days, the deletion request cancels and your account returns to normal.
After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook begins permanently removing your data. This process can take up to 90 days total. Once it completes, your account cannot be recovered. Your name will no longer appear in other people's friend lists, and your posts will be gone.
If you want to keep your account but hide it instead, Facebook offers deactivation as an alternative. A deactivated account is invisible to other users, but Facebook keeps your data and you can reactivate anytime by logging in again. Deletion is permanent; deactivation is temporary.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days minimum and up to 90 days total, and logging in during the 30-day window cancels the request.
- You must go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find the Deactivation and Deletion section to start the process.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and choose a reason for leaving before the deletion begins.
- After deletion completes, your messages to other people remain in their inboxes, but your profile and sent messages disappear from your own account.
- If you change your mind within 30 days, straightforward log in with your email and password to cancel the deletion.
Step-by-step: How to delete your account on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — this opens a menu. Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the page, you will see a column of options. Scroll down until you find Deactivation and Deletion. Click it. Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate Account or Delete Account. Choose Delete Account.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue. The next screen will ask you to choose a reason for leaving — this is optional, but Facebook uses your answer to improve the platform. Select a reason or skip this step.
Read the information about what happens when you delete. Click Delete Account to confirm. Your account is now in the 30-day grace period. Do not log in during this time, or the deletion will cancel.
Deleting your account on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to find Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Choose Delete Account. Enter your password when prompted and tap Continue. Select a reason for leaving if you wish, then tap Delete Account to confirm.
The process is the same as on desktop — your account enters a 30-day waiting period. Avoid logging in during this time. If you use Facebook Messenger as a separate app, note that deleting your account does not automatically delete the Messenger app from your phone. You will need to uninstall it separately if you want it gone.
What happens to your data and messages
Your profile picture, cover photo, posts, and comments all disappear after the 30-day grace period ends. Other people will no longer see your profile when they search for you. Your name will vanish from their friend lists.
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes, but they will show as coming from a deleted account rather than from you by name. If you sent photos through Messenger, those photos stay in the conversation but are no longer linked to your account. Messages you received from others are deleted from your account, but the other person still has copies.
If you were a member of Facebook Groups, your membership ends and your posts in those groups are removed. If you created a group, it will be deleted along with your account. Any pages you managed will lose you as an admin, but the pages themselves remain if other admins are still there.
Canceling the deletion if you change your mind
You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to change your mind. straightforward log into Facebook using your email address and password. Your account will return to normal when ready, and the deletion request will cancel.
After 30 days have passed, you cannot recover your account. Facebook will have begun permanently removing your data, and no login will restore it. If you want your account back after that point, you would need to create a new one from scratch.
Removing Facebook from other apps and services
Many apps and websites let you sign in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically disconnect these services. You should change the login method on any app or website that uses Facebook before you delete.
Go to each service's settings and look for a section called Login, Connected Apps, or Linked Accounts. Remove Facebook from the list. Then set up a new password or use a different sign-in method like Google or Apple. This prevents you from being locked out of services you still want to use.
Check your email for a list of apps connected to your Facebook account. Facebook sends this information when you read your data. Review it and disconnect any services you no longer need.
Downloading your information before deletion
Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before your account is deleted. This is useful if you want to keep a record of your memories or transfer photos to another platform.
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Find Your Information and Permissions and click read Your Information. Choose what you want to read — photos, videos, posts, messages, and more. Select a date range and file format. Facebook will prepare a file and email it to you, usually within a few hours.
read this file before you start the deletion process, or do it during the 30-day grace period while your account still exists. After 30 days, you will no longer be able to access this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivation hides your profile from other users but keeps your account and data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate by logging in. Deletion removes your account and data permanently after 30 days. Choose deactivation if you might want to return; choose deletion if you want to leave for good.
Can I delete my account if I have an outstanding balance or unpaid ads?
If you have an active Facebook Ads account with a balance owed, you must settle it before deletion. Go to your Ads Manager, review your account balance, and pay any amount due. After payment clears, you can proceed with deletion.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram account?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram, you must do that separately through Instagram's settings.
What if I cannot remember my password?
Click "Forgot Password" on the Facebook login page. Facebook will send a reset link to your email address. Follow the link, create a new password, and log in. Then proceed with the deletion steps. You need access to your email account to reset your password.
Does Facebook delete my account if I do not use it for a long time?
No. Inactive accounts remain on Facebook indefinitely. Facebook only deletes an account when you request it. If you straightforward stop using Facebook without requesting deletion, your account stays there and can be reactivated anytime you log in.