Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind

When you delete your Facebook account, the company holds your data for 30 days before erasing it permanently. During that month, if you log back in, your account comes back exactly as it was. After 30 days, Facebook deletes your photos, posts, messages, and profile — though some information tied to other people's accounts (like when they tagged you) may remain.

This is different from deactivation, which hides your profile but keeps everything intact. Deletion is the permanent route, and it takes a full month to complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion takes 30 days to finish, and logging in during that time cancels the deletion and restores your account.
  • You must use a desktop or laptop to start the deletion process — the mobile app does not have a deletion option.
  • Facebook keeps some data even after deletion, including information other people posted about you and records required by law.
  • Before you delete, read your photos and posts if you want to keep them, because they will be gone after 30 days.

How to delete your account on desktop

Go to Facebook.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings.

On the left side, click Personal information. Below that, click Deactivation or deletion. Choose Delete account, then click Continue to account deletion. Facebook will ask you to enter your password and solve a security check. After you do, click Delete account again. The deletion begins when ready, but your account stays visible for about an hour while the system processes it.

Do not log back in during the next 30 days. If you do, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal.

read your information before you delete

Once your account is gone, you cannot get your photos, videos, or posts back. If you want copies, read them first.

Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information, then read your information. Choose the date range (usually "All of my information"), select what you want to read (photos, posts, videos, messages), and click Request a read. Facebook will prepare a file and email you a link, usually within a few hours. The file is a compressed folder you can open on your computer.

This step is optional, but once deletion is complete, this option goes away.

What Facebook keeps after you delete

Facebook removes your posts, photos, and messages from its main servers, but some traces remain. If other people tagged you in their photos or posts, those tags stay visible on their accounts — Facebook only removes the tag that pointed to your profile. Messages you sent to other people may stay in their inboxes.

Facebook also keeps records required by law, including financial transaction data if you made purchases through the platform. The company keeps this information separate from your profile and does not use it for advertising.

If you were part of a group or a page you created, that group or page stays active even after your account is deleted. Someone else will need to manage it, or it will remain without an active owner.

If you want to pause instead of delete

Deactivation hides your profile without erasing anything. Your name and photo disappear from search results, your friends cannot see your posts, and messages you send appear as coming from a deactivated account. But your messages stay in other people's inboxes, and your account data remains on Facebook's servers.

You can reactivate a deactivated account anytime by logging back in. This is useful if you want to step away for a few months but might return. Deletion is the right choice only if you are certain you will not want your account back.

What happens to your data on other websites

Many websites let you sign in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. Deleting Facebook does not automatically delete your accounts on those sites. You will need to change your password on each one separately, or contact the website to delete your account there too.

Similarly, apps that connect to Facebook (games, photo editors, fitness trackers) may still have copies of data you shared with them. Deleting your Facebook account does not remove that data from the app. Check the privacy settings on each app you used and delete your account there if you want it gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account from my phone?

The Facebook app does not have a deletion option. You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet. Open Facebook.com, log in, and follow the desktop steps above. Some people use their phone's web browser to access the full desktop version, which works the same way.

What if I forget to read my photos before deleting?

Once the 30 days are up, your photos are gone and cannot be recovered. If you realize this after deletion has started, you have until day 30 to log back in, cancel the deletion, read your information, and start the deletion process again.

Will my friends know I deleted my account?

Your friends will see that your profile no longer exists, but Facebook does not send them a notification. Your name will disappear from their friends list and from any photos you were tagged in. They may notice on their own, but the platform does not announce it.

Can I delete just my photos or posts instead of the whole account?

Yes. You can delete individual posts by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting delete. You can delete all your photos by going to your profile, clicking Photos, and deleting them one by one or in batches. This keeps your account active while removing specific content.

What if I share a Facebook account with someone else?

Deleting the account removes it for everyone who uses it. If someone else relies on that account, they will lose access. Consider creating separate accounts instead, or deactivating temporarily while you decide.