Facebook gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work differently
You can deactivate your Facebook account, which hides it temporarily but keeps your data on Facebook's servers. You can also delete your account permanently, which removes your profile, photos, and posts after a waiting period. Deactivation is reversible if you change your mind within a few months. Deletion is not — after 30 days, Facebook removes your information and you cannot recover it.
Most people choose deactivation first because it is faster and leaves the door open. If you want your account gone for good, deletion takes longer but is final. Both options stop other people from seeing your profile when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile right away but keeps your data; you can reactivate by logging back in within a few months.
- Deletion removes your profile when ready but takes 30 days to fully erase your data from Facebook's servers.
- You can read your photos, videos, and posts before either action, and Facebook will not delete them from your device.
- If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites, those connections will break when you deactivate or delete.
- Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account.
How to deactivate your account (the reversible option)
Deactivation is the faster choice if you want to step away without burning the bridge. Your profile disappears from Facebook, and your friends cannot message you or see your posts. You can reactivate by logging in again, and your account will be exactly as you left it.
On a computer, go to the menu in the top right corner (the downward arrow), select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and follow the prompts. Facebook will ask why you are leaving and offer to send you reminders. You can skip these. Enter your password to confirm, and your account is deactivated when ready.
On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Accounts center, then Accounts, then Deactivation or deletion. Choose Deactivate account and finish the same way.
Your profile will not appear in searches, and people cannot tag you in photos. However, your name may still show up in other people's friend lists and in old comments you made before deactivation.
How to permanently delete your account (the final option)
Deletion removes your account completely, but it is not when ready. Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind. If you log back in during those 30 days, the deletion stops and your account stays active. After 30 days, your profile, photos, posts, and messages are gone.
The steps are almost the same as deactivation. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Deactivation and deletion on a computer. On a phone, use Accounts center > Accounts > Deactivation or deletion. This time, choose Delete account instead of deactivate. Enter your password and confirm. Your account will be hidden when ready, but the 30-day countdown begins.
During those 30 days, do not log in. If you do, the deletion will be cancelled. After 30 days pass, Facebook will permanently erase your data. Some information, like messages you sent to others, may stay in their accounts because it belongs to them now.
read your photos and posts before you go
Whether you deactivate or delete, you can save copies of your photos, videos, posts, and other data to your computer first. This takes a few minutes and gives you a backup in case you want to remember what was on your account.
Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information and permissions > read your information. Choose the date range (usually "all of my data"), 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. The file is yours to keep, and downloading it does not affect your account.
On a phone, tap the three lines > Settings and privacy > Settings > Accounts center > Your information and permissions > read your information. The process is the same.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
When you deactivate or delete, messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. They can still read what you wrote, but they cannot reply to you or see your profile. Photos that other people tagged you in will still show your name, but your profile will not be linked to it anymore.
If you were part of a group or event, your name will disappear from the member list. Comments you made on public pages may still be visible, but your profile picture will be replaced with a blank icon.
If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites
Many apps and websites let you log in with your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. When you deactivate or delete, those connections break. You will not be able to use Facebook to log into those services anymore.
Before you deactivate or delete, check which apps are connected to your Facebook account. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites > Active. You will see a list of everything linked to your account. For apps you want to keep using, create a regular password or use a different login method before you deactivate.
How to reactivate if you change your mind
If you deactivated your account and want it back, just log in with your email and password. Your profile, friends list, photos, and messages will be restored when ready. You can do this anytime, even months later.
If you deleted your account and logged back in during the 30-day waiting period, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 30 days have passed, you cannot recover a deleted account. Facebook will not restore it, and you cannot create a new account with the same email address for a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account but keep my Instagram account?
Yes. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account will not affect Instagram unless you specifically linked them. If you used your Facebook account to create Instagram, you can change your Instagram login to an email address before you delete Facebook.
Will Facebook delete my account if I do not use it?
No. Facebook will not delete inactive accounts automatically. Your account will stay active indefinitely unless you deactivate or delete it yourself. However, Facebook may remove old posts or photos after a very long time if they violate policies, but your account itself remains.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot password? Enter your email or phone number, and Facebook will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password, you can log in and follow the deletion steps. If you cannot access your email, you may need to use the phone number associated with your account instead.
Does deleting my Facebook account remove me from group chats?
Yes. When your account is deleted, you are removed from all group chats and conversations. Other people in those chats will see that you are no longer a member, but your old messages will still be visible to them.
Can someone else see that I deleted my account?
Your friends will notice your profile is gone, but Facebook does not send them a notification that you deleted it. If they search for you, they will not find your profile. They may assume you deactivated or deleted, but they will not know which one.