Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate or delete
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your timeline vanishes, and messages stop flowing in. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in — Facebook keeps all your data for 30 days, then longer if you don't return. Friends won't see you, but Facebook still holds your information and continues to collect data about your activity elsewhere on the internet.
Deletion is permanent. After you request it, Facebook takes about 30 days to remove your account and all associated data from its servers. You cannot undo this. Once those 30 days pass, your photos, messages, and profile are gone. If you change your mind during the 30-day window, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in, but after that point, recovery is not possible.
The choice depends on whether you might want to return. If you're taking a break or testing life without Facebook, deactivation is reversible. If you're done with the platform entirely and want your data removed, deletion is the permanent option.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers; deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, then choose Deactivate Account.
- To delete, use the same menu path but select Delete Account, then confirm your password and wait 30 days for removal to complete.
- During the 30-day deletion window, you can log back in to cancel the request, but after that period ends, the account cannot be recovered.
- Facebook continues to collect data about you even after deactivation, through tracking pixels on other websites.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Open Facebook on a computer or phone. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop). Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left sidebar, find and click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask why you're leaving — this is optional to answer. Click Deactivate to confirm.
Your profile is now hidden. Your name no longer appears in search results, and your friends cannot see your timeline. Messages you sent remain in your friends' inboxes, but they cannot message you. If you log back in at any point, your account reactivates when ready and everything returns to normal.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Follow the same path: menu > Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. This time, select Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask security questions to verify your identity.
Click Delete Account to confirm. Facebook then begins a 30-day countdown. During this period, your account is not visible to anyone, but your data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log back in during these 30 days, the deletion request cancels and your account returns to normal.
After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently removes your account, photos, messages, and profile information from its systems. This cannot be reversed. Any data you shared with other apps or services through Facebook (like logging into a game with your Facebook account) may remain with those services.
What happens to your data after deletion
Facebook says it removes your account data from its active servers within 30 days of deletion. However, backup copies may persist longer in their systems — Facebook does not specify how long. Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
If you used your Facebook login to access other apps or websites, those services still have the data you shared with them. Deleting Facebook does not delete your account on Spotify, games, or news sites that let you sign in with Facebook. You must delete those accounts separately if you want them gone.
Facebook's tracking of your activity on other websites does not stop when you delete your account. The Facebook pixel — a piece of code embedded on millions of websites — continues to collect information about your browsing. This data is tied to your device rather than your account, so deletion does not prevent it.
Deactivation versus deletion: which is right for you
Choose deactivation if you want to step away without closing the door. Deactivation is useful if you're taking a break, testing life without social media, or unsure whether you'll return. It takes seconds to reactivate — just log in again. Your data stays safe on Facebook's servers, and you can come back whenever you want.
Choose deletion if you do not plan to return and want your data removed from Facebook's systems. Deletion is permanent and takes 30 days to complete. Use this option if you're concerned about Facebook holding your information, if you want a clean break, or if you've decided the platform no longer fits your life.
If privacy is your main concern, understand that deactivation does not stop Facebook from tracking you across the internet. Deletion removes your account but does not prevent the pixel from collecting data about your browsing. For more control over tracking, consider adjusting your privacy settings before deactivating or deleting, or using a browser extension that blocks tracking pixels.
What to do before you delete
read your photos and messages before deletion if you want to keep them. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Connections > read Your Information. Facebook will prepare a file containing your photos, posts, messages, and other data. This can take a few hours or days depending on how much data you have. You'll receive a notification when it's ready to read.
Tell your close contacts that you're leaving, especially if they rely on Facebook Messenger to reach you. Consider sharing an alternative way to stay in touch — email, phone number, or another messaging app. If you use Facebook to manage a business page or group, transfer ownership to someone else before deleting your personal account.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled on other accounts that use Facebook as a backup login method, set up a different recovery option first. This prevents you from being locked out of those accounts after Facebook deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after the 30-day deletion period ends?
No. Once the 30 days pass, your account and all associated data are permanently removed from Facebook's servers. You cannot recover it. If you change your mind during the 30-day window, log back in to cancel the deletion request before the period expires.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will notice you're gone — your profile will no longer appear in their friends list, and they won't be able to message you. Facebook does not send a notification saying you deleted your account, but they will see that you're no longer there when they try to visit your profile or search for you.
What happens to photos I posted if I delete my account?
Photos you posted are removed from Facebook's servers during the 30-day deletion period. However, if you shared photos with friends or in groups, they may have downloaded or saved copies. Deletion only removes Facebook's copy, not copies others may have made.
Can I delete my account on mobile, or do I need a computer?
You can delete your account on either a phone or computer. The steps are the same: open the menu, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, and select Delete Account. Both methods work equally well.
If I deactivate, can Facebook still see my data?
Yes. Deactivation hides your profile from other users, but Facebook retains all your data on its servers. Facebook continues to track your activity on other websites through the Facebook pixel, even after deactivation. If you want Facebook to stop collecting data about you, deletion is the only option, though the pixel may still track your device.