Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your Facebook account, the social network gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from other users and your data is being prepared for removal. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently erases your account, photos, messages, and posts. If you log back in during the waiting period, the deletion cancels and your account reactivates.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers — you can reactivate it anytime by logging in. Deletion actually removes the account from the platform, though Facebook says some information may remain in backup copies for a limited time.
You cannot delete your account through the Facebook app on your phone. You must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device, go to Facebook.com, and follow the deletion steps from there.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to complete, and logging in during that time cancels the process and reactivates your account.
- You must delete through a web browser at Facebook.com, not through the mobile app.
- read your photos and messages before deleting if you want to keep copies, because Facebook will not send them to you afterward.
- After 30 days, your account and all its content are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
- If you only want to hide your profile temporarily, deactivation is faster and reversible by logging in again.
How to read your data before deletion
Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before the account is deleted. This is the only way to keep those files after the 30-day waiting period ends. The read process takes a few hours to a few days depending on how much data you have.
Go to Facebook.com and log in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Scroll down and click Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Your information and permissions, then click read your information. Choose the date range (usually "All of my data"), select which categories you want to read (photos, videos, posts, messages), and click Request a read. Facebook will prepare a file and send you an email when it is ready. Click the link in the email to read the file to your computer.
Steps to delete your account permanently
Open a web browser and go to Facebook.com. Log in with your email and password if you are not already logged in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the page.
Scroll down the menu and click Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, click Your information and permissions. Click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Click Delete account.
Facebook will ask you to confirm your password. Type your password in the box and click Continue. The next screen will explain that deletion takes 30 days and that you cannot undo it after that period. Read the information, then click Delete account to confirm. Your account is now scheduled for deletion.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
For the next 30 days, your Facebook profile is hidden from other users. They cannot see your posts, photos, or messages. Your name will not appear in search results or in other people's friend lists. However, your account still exists on Facebook's servers during this time.
If you log back into Facebook at any point during these 30 days, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal. You will need to start the deletion process over if you want to delete again. After 30 days have passed without logging in, Facebook permanently removes your account and all its content.
Logging out of Facebook on all your devices
Before or after you delete your account, you should log out of Facebook on every device where you use it. This prevents you from accidentally logging back in during the 30-day waiting period, which would cancel the deletion.
On a computer, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of Facebook, scroll to the bottom, and click Log out. On a phone or tablet, open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap Log out. If you use Facebook Messenger as a separate app, log out of that too by tapping your profile picture in the top left, scrolling down, and tapping Log out.
After you log out, delete the Facebook app from your phone if you want to remove the temptation to log back in. You can delete it by pressing and holding the app icon, then tapping Remove app or Uninstall.
What to do if you change your mind during the 30 days
If you decide you want to keep your Facebook account, straightforward log in during the 30-day waiting period. Use your email and password to sign in as you normally would. Your account will reactivate when ready, and the deletion will be cancelled. All your photos, posts, and messages will return to normal visibility.
If you log in and your account does not reactivate, contact Facebook through their Help Center. Go to Facebook.com/help and search for "account reactivation" to find the contact form. Explain that you deleted your account by mistake and want it back. Facebook support can sometimes restore accounts that are still in the deletion process.
After your account is permanently deleted
Once the 30 days have passed and you have not logged in, your Facebook account is gone. You cannot recover your posts, photos, or messages. Facebook says some information may remain in backup copies for a limited time, but you will not be able to access it.
If you want to use Facebook again in the future, you can create a new account with the same email address or a different one. The new account will be completely separate from your deleted account and will not have any of your old data.
Other people may still have screenshots or copies of your posts and photos that they saved before you deleted your account. Deletion only removes your content from Facebook's platform, not from devices or accounts where other users saved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account on my phone?
No. The Facebook app does not have a delete account option. You must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device, go to Facebook.com, and follow the deletion steps from there. You can use your phone's web browser to do this.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate by logging in anytime. Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days and erases your photos, posts, and messages. You cannot recover a deleted account after the 30 days end.
Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.
Can Facebook restore my account after the 30 days are over?
No. After 30 days pass without logging in, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored. If you change your mind after that point, you can create a new Facebook account, but it will not have any of your old data.
What happens to my messages when I delete my Facebook account?
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes, but they will show as coming from a deleted account. Messages you received are deleted from your account. If you want to keep copies of your messages, read your data before you delete your account.