Facebook deletion removes your account completely and cannot be undone

When you delete a Facebook profile, the platform permanently removes your account, all your posts, photos, messages, and personal information from its servers. This is different from deactivation, which temporarily hides your profile but keeps your data stored. Deletion takes about 30 days to complete — during that time, if you log back in, the deletion cancels and your account reactivates. After 30 days, Facebook erases everything associated with your account.

You need to be certain before you start, because there is no way to recover a deleted profile or its contents. If you think you might want your account back, deactivation is the safer first step. But if you are ready to leave permanently, the deletion process itself takes only a few minutes on any device.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be reversed, so read your photos and messages first if you want to keep them.
  • You must log in to your account to delete it — you cannot delete someone else's profile or delete an account you no longer have the password for.
  • The deletion process takes about 30 days, and logging back in during that window cancels the deletion and reactivates your account.
  • Some information like messages you sent to others may remain visible to them even after your profile is deleted.
  • Facebook will not delete your profile if you have an active Marketplace listing or an unpaid ad balance.

read your information before deletion

Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before the account is erased. This takes a few minutes to request and can take hours or days to prepare, depending on how much data you have. Start this step first, before you begin the deletion process, so the read is ready when you need it.

On any device, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Look for the section called "Your Information and Permissions" or "read Your Information." Click that option, choose the date range and data types you want (usually "All of Your Information" is selected by default), and request the read. Facebook will email you a link when the file is ready. read and save it to your computer or cloud storage before you proceed with deletion.

How to delete your profile on a computer

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already signed in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. Select "Settings and Privacy," then click "Settings."

On the left side of the screen, scroll down and click "Deactivation and Deletion." You will see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account." 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. Complete these steps, and your deletion request is submitted. Your profile will be removed after 30 days if you do not log back in.

How to delete your profile on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings."

Scroll down to find "Deactivation and Deletion" and tap it. Select "Delete Account" and confirm your password when prompted. You may also need to enter a security code from your email or phone number. Once you confirm, the deletion request is submitted and your account will be removed after 30 days unless you log back in.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

For 30 days after you request deletion, your profile is hidden from other users — they cannot find you, see your posts, or message you. However, your account is not yet permanently erased. If you log back in at any point during these 30 days, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal with all your data intact.

Some information may take longer to disappear. Messages you sent to other people may still be visible in their inboxes even after your profile is deleted. Photos you posted in other people's timelines or tagged in their photos may also remain visible. After the 30 days are complete, Facebook permanently removes your account data from its main servers, though backup copies may exist for a longer period.

Situations that prevent or delay deletion

Facebook will not process your deletion request if you have an active Marketplace listing or an unpaid balance on ads you have run. If either of these applies to you, resolve them first. Close any Marketplace listings by going to your Marketplace account and removing each item. Pay any outstanding ad balance by going to Ads Manager and settling the account.

If you have forgotten your password, you cannot delete your account by logging in. Instead, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Facebook login page to reset it, then follow the deletion steps. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number associated with your account, you will need to recover access first through Facebook's account recovery process before you can request deletion.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you are unsure about permanent deletion, deactivation is a reversible option. When you deactivate, your profile becomes invisible to other users and your name no longer appears in search results. Your messages, photos, and posts are hidden but not erased. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in, and everything returns to the way it was.

Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Facebook but might return later, or if you want to test what life without the platform feels like before making a permanent choice. The deactivation option is in the same "Deactivation and Deletion" menu where you found the delete option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account if I do not remember my password?

No, you must be able to log in to request deletion. Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset your password first. If you cannot access the email or phone number on file, use Facebook's account recovery tool to regain access before proceeding with deletion.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger after I delete my profile?

Your Messenger account is tied to your Facebook profile. When your profile is deleted, you lose access to Messenger. However, the messages you sent to other people remain visible in their inboxes. Other users can still see the conversation history, but your name may appear as "Facebook User" instead of your profile name.

Can I delete my profile if I have a Facebook business page?

Your personal profile and business page are separate. You can delete your personal profile without affecting the business page, but you will lose the ability to manage the page if you are the only admin. Before deleting your personal profile, transfer admin rights to another person or convert the page to a different type of account.

Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram account?

No. Facebook and Instagram are separate platforms owned by the same company, but deleting one does not delete the other. If you want to delete both, you must request deletion for each account separately through its own settings.

What if I log in during the 30-day waiting period?

Logging in at any point during the 30 days cancels your deletion request and reactivates your account completely. All your data, posts, photos, and messages return to normal. You would need to request deletion again if you still want to leave.