Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your Facebook account, the deletion is not when ready. Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind — if you log back in during that window, your account and everything on it returns. After 30 days, Facebook begins removing your data from its servers. Some information (like messages you sent to others) may stay in their inboxes, but your profile, photos, posts, and friend list are gone.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account hides your profile and posts from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data and can reactivate the account if you log in again. Deletion actually removes the account from Facebook's system, though the company retains some data for legal and safety reasons for a longer period.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete, and logging in during that time cancels the deletion.
- You must use the official Facebook settings to delete — there is no other way to start a permanent deletion.
- read your photos, messages, and posts before you delete if you want to keep copies.
- After deletion completes, some information like messages you sent to others will remain visible to them.
How to start a permanent deletion from your phone or computer
Go to Facebook.com or open the Facebook app. Log in if you are not already signed in. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, then select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings."
Look for the section called "Account ownership and control." Click or tap "Deactivation or deletion." You will see two options: deactivate or delete. Choose "Delete account." Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to enter a security code sent to your email or phone number. Follow those steps, then click "Delete account" when prompted.
After you confirm, Facebook shows a message saying your account will be deleted in 30 days. Write down this date or set a phone reminder. Do not log in during these 30 days, or the deletion will stop and your account will return to normal.
What happens to your data during the 30-day waiting period
Your profile becomes invisible to other people when ready. Your name no longer appears in search results, your posts disappear from friends' feeds, and your profile page shows an error if someone tries to visit it. However, Facebook's servers still hold your complete account data during the 30 days.
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes and chats — deleting your account does not erase messages from the other person's side. If you sent photos to someone through Messenger, those photos stay in their chat history. Comments you made on other people's posts may also remain visible, depending on their privacy settings.
If you change your mind, straightforward log in with your email and password before the 30 days end. Your account, photos, friends list, and all posts return exactly as they were.
read your information before you delete
Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, videos, posts, messages, and other account data before deletion. This is useful if you want to keep memories or need records of conversations. The read can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.
To read your data, go to Settings, then find "Your information" or "read your information." Click "read your information." Facebook will ask you to choose a date range (usually "all time" is the option) and which types of data to include. Select what you want, then click "Create file." Facebook will prepare a compressed file and send you a read link by email, usually within a few hours.
Save this file to your computer or cloud storage before you delete your account. After deletion completes, you cannot recover this data from Facebook.
What Facebook keeps after your account is deleted
Facebook's privacy policy states that it retains some data even after deletion for legal reasons, fraud prevention, and safety. This includes records of transactions, reports you made about other users, and information needed to comply with law enforcement requests. The company does not publicly specify how long this retained data stays on its servers.
Advertisers and apps that you connected to your Facebook account may also keep data about you. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete your information from third-party apps or remove you from advertiser databases. If you want to disconnect apps before deletion, go to Settings, then "Apps and websites," and remove any apps you no longer want connected to your account.
Reasons people choose deletion over deactivation
Some people delete because they want a complete break from the platform and do not want the option to return. Others delete for privacy reasons — they do not want Facebook collecting data about their activity or selling information to advertisers. Some delete because they are concerned about how their old posts or photos might be used.
Deactivation is better if you think you might want to return later, or if you want to keep your account name reserved. Deletion is the right choice if you are certain you will not use Facebook again and want your data removed from the platform's active systems.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in, you cannot delete your account through the normal settings. Instead, go to Facebook.com/login and click "Forgotten password?" Follow the steps to reset your password using your email address or phone number. Once you can log in again, follow the deletion steps above.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number associated with your account, contact Facebook's support through the Help Center. Go to facebook.com/help, click "Report a problem," and describe that you cannot access your account. Facebook may ask you to verify your identity with a photo ID before they help you regain access or delete the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else delete my Facebook account?
No. Only you can delete your account, and you must log in and confirm your password to do it. If you believe someone else has access to your account, change your password when ready and enable two-factor authentication in Settings under "Security and login."
What if I delete my account but want to use the same email for a new account later?
You can create a new Facebook account with the same email address after your deletion is complete (after the 30 days). Facebook will treat it as a separate account with no connection to your old one. Your old data will not transfer over.
Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp unless you specifically signed up for those using your Facebook login. If you did, you will need to create separate passwords for those apps before you delete Facebook.
How do I know if my deletion actually completed?
After 30 days, try to log in with your email and password. If the login fails and shows an error message, your deletion is complete. You can also try searching for your name on Facebook — if your profile does not appear in search results after 30 days, the deletion succeeded.