Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, your profile is hidden from other people, but Meta (Facebook's parent company) keeps your data. If you log back in during this window, your account reactivates and nothing is lost. After 30 days, Meta begins deleting your information from their servers — though they keep some data for legal and safety reasons, and copies may exist in backups for a limited time.
Deletion is different from deactivation. Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your account and all your data intact; you can reactivate anytime by logging in. Deletion actually removes your account from Facebook's systems, though the process takes a month to complete.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to finalize, and you can undo it by logging in during that window.
- You must use Facebook's official deletion tool on the Settings page — there is no other way to start the process.
- After 30 days, Facebook begins removing your data, but some information may remain in backups or for legal compliance.
- Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
- If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, deleting your account will lock you out of those services.
How to delete your account on a computer
Go to facebook.com and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings.
On the left side of the page, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: one to deactivate and one to delete. Click 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. Follow the prompts, and your account will enter the 30-day deletion window.
During those 30 days, if you change your mind, log back into Facebook with your email and password. Your account will reactivate when ready and nothing will be lost. After 30 days pass without you logging in, deletion becomes permanent.
How to delete 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 Settings.
Scroll down to Deactivation and deletion and tap it. Select Delete account and follow the same confirmation steps as on a computer — you will need to enter your password and verify your identity. Once you confirm, your account enters the 30-day window.
What happens to your data during and after deletion
During the 30-day window, your profile is hidden from search results and other people cannot see your posts, photos, or friend list. However, Meta still has access to all your data on their servers. If you log back in, everything reappears unchanged.
After 30 days, Meta begins the process of deleting your information from their active systems. This includes your posts, photos, messages you sent, friend connections, and profile details. However, some data may remain in Meta's backup systems for a limited time, and the company keeps certain information for legal compliance, fraud prevention, and safety reasons. Meta does not publicly specify how long backups are retained.
One important exception: messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. Deleting your account does not erase conversations from your friends' accounts. If you want to remove a specific message, you must do that before you delete your account.
What you lose when you delete your account
If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites — such as Spotify, Instagram, dating apps, or games — deleting your Facebook account will lock you out of those services. Before you delete, change the login method on any app that uses Facebook Login. Most apps let you create a new password or link a different email address in their settings.
You will also lose access to Facebook Groups, Facebook Marketplace, and any Facebook-connected services. If you run a Facebook Page or manage ads, those will be deleted too. If you want to keep a Page or transfer it to someone else, do that before you delete your personal account.
Any photos or videos you posted will be gone. If you want to keep copies, read them first. Facebook offers a tool to read your data: go to Settings, click Your information, then read your information. This creates a file with your posts, photos, and other data that you can save to your computer.
read your data before you delete
Before you start the deletion process, consider downloading a copy of your information. Go to facebook.com, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left, click Your information, then read your information.
Facebook will ask you to choose a date range (all time, or a specific period) and a file format. Select the data you want to include — you can choose everything or just specific categories like photos, posts, or messages. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a read link, usually within a few hours. Save this file to your computer before you delete your account.
If you want to keep your data but hide your profile
If you are not sure about permanent deletion, deactivation is a safer first step. Deactivate your account to hide your profile from other people when ready, then take time to decide. Your account and all your data remain on Facebook's servers, and you can reactivate anytime by logging in — even months or years later.
Deactivation hides your profile from search results and removes your name from other people's friend lists. However, messages you sent remain visible in other people's inboxes, and some information (like posts you made in groups) may still be visible to group members. If you decide later that you want to delete permanently, you can always start the deletion process from a deactivated account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo deletion after the 30 days are up?
No. After 30 days, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you log in during the 30-day window, your account reactivates and deletion stops. After 30 days pass, there is no way to restore it.
Will my friends be notified that I deleted my account?
No, Facebook does not send notifications to your friends. Your profile will straightforward disappear from their friend lists and they will not be able to find you by searching. Some may notice you are gone, but Facebook does not announce it.
What if I use the same email for other accounts?
Deleting your Facebook account does not affect other accounts that use the same email address. You can use that email to create a new Facebook account later, or use it for Gmail, Instagram, or any other service. The email itself is not deleted, only your Facebook account.
Do I need to delete the Facebook app from my phone?
Deleting your account does not automatically remove the app from your phone. After your account is deleted, the app will not work — you will not be able to log in. You can delete the app manually if you want to free up space, but it is not required.
What happens to photos I posted in Facebook Groups?
Photos you posted in groups will be deleted along with your account. If other group members downloaded or saved those photos, they will still have copies. If you want to preserve photos from groups, read them before you delete your account.