What happens when you deactivate Facebook
When you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile, photos, posts, and comments disappear from the site when ready. Friends cannot message you, find your profile, or see your activity. However, Facebook keeps all your data on their servers — if you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was.
Deactivation is temporary. If you want to erase your account permanently so that even logging back in won't restore it, you need to delete your account instead, which takes about 90 days to complete. Most people choose deactivation first because it gives you a month to change your mind.
Your messages to other people stay visible to them even after you deactivate. Photos you were tagged in by others remain on their profiles. If you want those removed too, you'll need to untag yourself and ask friends to delete photos before you deactivate.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data; deletion removes it permanently after 90 days.
- You have 30 days after deactivating to log back in and restore your account with no action needed.
- Messages you sent stay visible to recipients, and photos others tagged you in remain on their profiles.
- The deactivation button is in Settings under "Deactivation and Deletion," not in a menu labeled "Delete Account."
- If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, those connections break when you deactivate.
Steps to deactivate on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you aren't already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner (next to your name or profile picture). Scroll down and select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings."
On the left sidebar, scroll down and click "Deactivation and Deletion." You'll see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account." Click "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask you to choose a reason from a dropdown menu — this is optional, but selecting one helps Facebook understand why people leave. Then click "Deactivate."
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click "Deactivate Account" again. You'll see a final confirmation screen. Your account is now deactivated, and you'll be logged out.
Steps to deactivate on mobile app
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings."
Scroll down to find "Deactivation and Deletion" and tap it. Select "Deactivate Account." Choose a reason if you want to, then tap "Deactivate." Enter your password when prompted and tap "Deactivate Account" to confirm. The app will log you out.
What to do before you deactivate
read your photos and posts if you want to keep them. Go to Settings, click "Your information," then "read your information." Facebook will create a file with copies of your photos, videos, posts, and messages. This takes a few hours to prepare, and you'll get a notification when it's ready.
Untag yourself from photos you don't want visible. Search for your name in the search bar, click "Photos," then "Photos of You." Click each photo, tap the three dots, and select "Remove tag." This prevents those images from staying on other people's profiles after you deactivate.
Tell people you're leaving. Message close friends or post a final message so people know how to reach you elsewhere. Once you deactivate, no one can see your profile or send you messages through Facebook.
Check what apps use Facebook Login. Go to Settings, click "Apps and websites," and review what's connected. If you use Facebook to log into Instagram, Spotify, or other services, those logins will stop working when you deactivate. You may need to set up separate passwords for those accounts first.
The difference between deactivation and deletion
Deactivation is reversible for 30 days. Log back in anytime within that window, and your account, friends list, messages, and posts return unchanged. After 30 days, you can still reactivate by logging in, but Facebook may eventually delete the data if the account stays inactive for a long time.
Deletion is permanent. When you choose "Delete Account" instead of deactivate, Facebook begins removing your information after 90 days. During those 90 days, you can still cancel the deletion by logging in. After 90 days, your photos, posts, messages, and profile are gone for good. Some information (like messages you sent to others) may stay in their inboxes, but your account itself cannot be recovered.
Choose deactivation if you're unsure or taking a break. Choose deletion if you're certain you won't return and want your data removed from Facebook's servers.
What you lose when you deactivate
You lose the ability to use Facebook Messenger while deactivated — you cannot send or receive messages. If you want to keep messaging people, you'll need to stay logged in or use a different platform.
Any apps or websites that use "Login with Facebook" will stop working. You won't be able to log into Instagram, Spotify, or other services using your Facebook account. You'll need to create separate logins or use other sign-in methods.
Your friends cannot find you or see your activity. They won't see your birthday reminders, event invitations, or group posts. If they search for you, your profile won't appear in results.
Reactivating your account within 30 days
If you change your mind, log back into Facebook within 30 days of deactivating. Use your email address or phone number and your password. Your profile, friends, messages, photos, and posts will all return when ready — nothing is deleted during the 30-day window.
You don't need to do anything special to reactivate. straightforward logging in restores your account. After 30 days, you can still log back in and reactivate, but Facebook may have begun the process of removing your data if your account has been inactive for a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people see my profile if I deactivate?
No. Your profile, photos, posts, and comments are hidden when ready. When people search for you, they won't find your profile. However, messages you sent to others remain visible in their inboxes, and photos you were tagged in by others stay on their profiles unless they delete them.
What happens to my Facebook groups and events?
You're removed from all groups and events. If you were an admin of a group, Facebook will assign a new admin from the group members. Your posts and comments in groups disappear from view, but the group itself continues without you.
Will my friends know I deactivated?
Not automatically. Facebook doesn't send a notification to your friends. However, they'll notice your profile is gone if they try to visit it or search for you. You can tell them yourself before deactivating if you want them to know.
Can I deactivate without a password?
No. Facebook requires your password to confirm deactivation. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it before you deactivate.
What if I deactivate but want to keep using Instagram?
You can keep using Instagram. Deactivating Facebook doesn't affect Instagram unless you originally signed into Instagram using "Login with Facebook." If you did, you'll need to set a separate password for Instagram before deactivating Facebook, or you won't be able to log back in.