Facebook gives you two separate paths: deactivation, which hides your profile temporarily, and deletion, which removes it permanently after 30 days

Permanent deletion is the option if you want Facebook to erase your account, posts, photos, and messages from their servers. When you request deletion, Facebook keeps your information for 30 days in case you change your mind and log back in — if you do, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After those 30 days pass with no login, Facebook says the deletion becomes permanent, though they retain some data for legal and safety reasons.

Deactivation, by contrast, straightforward hides your profile. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop sending, and your wall goes invisible to others. But Facebook keeps all your data and can reactivate your account the moment you log in again. Many people choose deactivation by accident when they meant permanent deletion, then find themselves back on Facebook months later.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete, and logging in during that window cancels the deletion and restores your account.
  • You must use the Settings menu to request deletion — there is no delete button on your profile or in the main menu.
  • Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password and may ask you to solve a CAPTCHA before confirming the deletion request.
  • After deletion is complete, you cannot recover your photos, messages, or posts, so read anything you want to keep first.
  • If you own a Facebook Page or manage ads, those must be deleted separately before you can delete your personal account.

How to request permanent deletion on a computer

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 with your account options. Scroll down and click Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: one for deactivation and one for deletion. Click Delete account. Facebook will show you a warning explaining that deletion takes 30 days and that you will lose access to your messages and photos. Click Continue to account deletion.

Facebook will ask you to enter your password again for security. Type it in and click Continue. You may then see a CAPTCHA — a puzzle asking you to identify images or type distorted text. Complete it and click Continue. Facebook will confirm that your deletion request has been submitted. Your account will remain visible and functional for the next 30 days, but the deletion process has started.

How to request permanent deletion on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to find Deactivation and deletion and tap it. Tap Delete account. Facebook will explain the 30-day waiting period and ask you to confirm. Tap Continue to account deletion. Enter your password when prompted, complete any CAPTCHA if it appears, and tap Continue. Your deletion request is now submitted.

If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone rather than the app, follow the computer steps above — the process is identical.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your account remains active and visible to others for the full 30 days. You can still log in, post, message friends, and use Facebook normally. If you log in at any point during this window, the deletion request is automatically cancelled and your account returns to permanent status. Facebook does this to prevent accidental deletions from becoming irreversible.

If you decide you want to keep your account, straightforward log in before the 30 days end. There is no confirmation step — logging in alone stops the deletion. After 30 days pass without a login, Facebook begins removing your data from their active servers. They retain some information for legal compliance and fraud prevention, but your profile, posts, and messages are no longer recoverable.

read your information before deletion

Once deletion is complete, you cannot recover your photos, videos, messages, or posts. If you want to keep copies, read them first. Open Facebook Settings, click Your information and permissions on the left side, then click read your information.

Facebook will show you options for what to read and what date range to include. You can read everything or select specific categories like photos, videos, posts, or messages. Choose your preferred format (HTML or JSON) and click Request a read. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a link via email, usually within a few hours. read and save this file to your computer before you proceed with deletion.

Deleting a Facebook Page or ads account first

If you manage a Facebook Page, you must delete it before you can delete your personal account. Go to your Page, click Settings in the top menu, scroll down to General, and click Remove this Page. Confirm the deletion.

If you have an active ads account, you must close it as well. Go to Ads Manager, click the menu icon, select Ads Manager settings, scroll to Account status, and click Close account. After both the Page and ads account are removed, you can proceed with deleting your personal account using the steps above.

What to do if you cannot find the deletion option

If the Deactivation and deletion option does not appear in your Settings, you may be using a very old version of the Facebook app or browser. Update your app from the App Store or Google Play, or try accessing Facebook from a different web browser.

If you still cannot locate the option after updating, try accessing Facebook on a computer instead of your phone. The mobile app sometimes lags behind the website in rolling out new features. If deletion remains unavailable after trying multiple devices and browsers, contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center — click the question mark icon in the top right, then Help Center, then search for "delete account" to find contact options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account when ready instead of waiting 30 days?

No. Facebook requires a 30-day waiting period for all permanent deletions. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized deletions. The only way to speed up the process is to not log in during those 30 days — logging in restarts the clock and cancels the deletion entirely.

What happens to my messages after I delete my account?

Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes, but they will show as coming from a deleted account rather than from your name. Messages others sent to you are deleted from your account. If you want to preserve your message history, read your information before deletion.

Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though Facebook owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete those accounts separately if you want them gone.

Can someone else delete my Facebook account if they have my password?

Yes, they can request deletion if they log in with your password. This is why changing your password when ready is important if you suspect someone has access to your account. You can also enable two-factor authentication in Settings to require a security code in addition to your password.

What if I change my mind after the 30 days are up?

Once the 30 days pass and deletion is complete, you cannot recover your account. You can create a new Facebook account with the same email address, but your old posts, photos, and messages are permanently gone. This is why downloading your information beforehand is important.