Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently
Deactivating hides your profile but keeps your data. Deleting removes your account, posts, photos, and messages from Facebook's servers — though the company says some information may stay in backups for up to 90 days. If you want your account gone for good, you need to delete it, not deactivate it. The process takes a few minutes on a computer, but Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice before the deletion becomes final.
Facebook does not let you delete your account through the mobile app. You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet. If you only have a phone, you can request the desktop version of Facebook's website through your phone's browser, but the steps are easier on an actual computer.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting your account is permanent after 30 days — Facebook will not restore it if you change your mind.
- You must use a computer or tablet with a web browser; the Facebook app does not have a delete option.
- Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password and may ask security questions before confirming the deletion.
- Your account will be hidden when ready, but the full deletion takes up to 90 days as Facebook removes your data from backups.
- Messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
How to delete your account in five steps
Start by going to facebook.com in a web browser and logging in if you are not already signed in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — this opens a menu with your account options.
From that menu, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, you will see a list of categories. Scroll down until you find Deactivation and deletion and click it.
You will see two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Click Delete account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password again for security. Type it in and click Continue.
Facebook will then ask you to choose a reason for leaving — this is optional, but the company uses your answer to improve the platform. Select a reason or skip this step. Click Delete account to confirm.
Your account will be hidden from Facebook when ready. The company will then spend up to 90 days removing all your data from its servers and backups. During this 30-day window, you can still cancel the deletion by logging back in — after 30 days, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be undone.
What happens to your data after deletion
Your profile, photos, posts, and comments will no longer be visible to anyone on Facebook. However, messages you sent to other people will stay in their inboxes. If you sent a message to a friend, that friend can still read it even after your account is gone.
Facebook says it removes your data from active servers within 90 days, but the company also states that some information may remain in backup copies for a longer period. The company does not specify how long backups are kept. If you are concerned about your data being stored elsewhere — such as by third-party apps you connected to Facebook — you should remove those connections before deleting your account.
To disconnect third-party apps before deletion, go to Settings and privacy > Settings, then find Apps and websites on the left side. Click each app and select Remove. This prevents those apps from keeping copies of your Facebook data after your account is deleted.
The difference between deactivating and deleting
Deactivation is temporary. Your profile disappears from Facebook, and other people cannot find you or see your posts. However, Facebook keeps all your data — your photos, messages, and friend list — stored on its servers. If you log back in at any point, your account reappears exactly as it was. You can deactivate and reactivate your account as many times as you want.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, your account cannot be recovered. Facebook removes your posts, photos, and profile information from its active systems. You cannot reactivate a deleted account or retrieve your data. If you ever want to use Facebook again, you would have to create a brand new account from scratch.
Choose deactivation if you want to take a break from Facebook but might return later. Choose deletion if you are certain you will not use Facebook again and want your information removed from the platform.
If you cannot access your account
If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in, you will not be able to reach the deletion settings. Facebook has a recovery process for locked accounts. Go to facebook.com and click Forgotten password? on the login page. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password.
If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number connected to your account, click No longer have access to these? Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a photo ID or by answering security questions. Once you regain access, you can proceed with deleting the account.
If Facebook cannot verify your identity, you can submit a request through its Help Center asking the company to delete your account. This process takes longer and requires you to prove you own the account, but it is an option if you cannot log in through normal recovery steps.
What to do before you delete
read your photos and messages if you want to keep them. Facebook lets you request a copy of all your data. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings, find Your information and permissions, and click read your information. Facebook will prepare a file containing your photos, posts, messages, and other account data. This can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have. You will receive an email when the file is ready to read.
Tell your friends and family that you are leaving, especially if they rely on Facebook Messenger to reach you. Consider sharing your email address or phone number so people can contact you another way. If you run a business page or group, decide what will happen to it — you can transfer ownership to someone else or delete it along with your account.
If you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps — such as games, shopping sites, or news apps — those logins will stop working after your account is deleted. Before you delete, change the passwords on those services so you can still access them with your email address instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account on my phone?
The Facebook app does not have a delete option. You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet. On your phone, open Safari, Chrome, or another browser, go to facebook.com, and follow the same steps as on a computer. You can request the desktop version of the website if the mobile version does not show the deletion option.
What if I change my mind after deleting my account?
You have 30 days to cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days, the deletion is permanent and Facebook will not restore your account. If you realize you want to keep your account within that window, log in when ready and your account will return to normal.
Will my friends be notified that I deleted my account?
No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends. Your profile will straightforward disappear from their friend lists. If they search for you, they will not find your account. You may want to tell close friends directly that you are leaving.
Can I delete just my photos or posts instead of my whole account?
Yes. You do not have to delete your entire account. You can delete individual posts by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting Delete. You can also deactivate your account temporarily to hide everything without permanently removing it. Full account deletion removes everything at once.
What happens to my Facebook groups or pages?
If you created a group or page, it will be deleted along with your account unless you transfer ownership to another person first. Go to the group or page settings, find the admin section, and add another person as an admin. Then remove yourself. The group or page will remain active under the new admin's control.