Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your friends can't see your posts. But Facebook keeps your data in case you change your mind — you can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days. After 30 days, the account stays hidden but your data remains on Facebook's servers.
Deletion is permanent. After you request it, Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind. On day 31, your account, profile, photos, posts, and messages are gone. Some information (like messages you sent to others) may stay in their inboxes, and Facebook keeps certain records for legal reasons. But your profile itself is erased.
Most people choose deletion if they want a clean break. Choose deactivation if you might want to come back, or if you need time to read your photos and messages first.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and can be undone by logging in; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be reversed.
- You can read your photos, videos, posts, and messages before deleting, using Facebook's read Your Information tool.
- Deletion takes 30 days to complete, so your account will still exist during that window if you change your mind.
- Messages you sent to others will remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
- Some apps and websites that use your Facebook login will stop working once your account is gone.
How to deactivate your account (temporary)
On desktop: Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook. 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're leaving — you can skip this or answer it. You'll be asked to confirm your password.
On mobile: Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and follow the same steps.
Your account goes dark when ready. You won't receive notifications, and your profile won't appear in searches. If you log back in within 30 days, everything reactivates as if nothing happened.
How to permanently delete your account (irreversible)
On desktop: Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Deactivation and deletion. This time, choose Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask security questions to verify it's really you. Click Delete account to confirm.
On mobile: Follow the same path through the menu: Settings and privacy > Settings > Deactivation and deletion. Tap Delete account and confirm your password.
Once you confirm, the 30-day countdown begins. During these 30 days, your account still technically exists — if you log in, deletion stops and your account reactivates. After 30 days pass without you logging in, deletion becomes permanent.
read your information before you delete
If you want to keep copies of your photos, videos, posts, or messages, read them before you delete. Facebook's read Your Information tool lets you save everything in a file you can keep on your computer.
To access it: Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information and permissions > read your information. Choose the date range (all of it, or a specific period), select what you want to read (photos, videos, posts, messages, etc.), and choose a file format. Facebook will prepare the file — this can take a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. You'll get a notification when it's ready to read.
This read is just for you. It doesn't affect your account or speed up deletion — it's straightforward a backup. Many people do this even if they're only deactivating, just to have their memories saved.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes after your account is deleted. They can still read what you wrote, but they won't be able to click on your name to see your profile. If someone else tagged you in a photo before you deleted, that photo and tag remain visible on their profile and in their albums.
If you want to remove yourself from photos before deleting, you can untag yourself from any photo while your account still exists. Go to the photo, click the three dots, and select Remove tag. This removes your name from that photo but doesn't delete the photo itself.
Apps and websites that use your Facebook login
Many apps and websites let you sign in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate username and password. Once your account is deleted, you won't be able to use Facebook to log into those services anymore. You may lose access to accounts you created that way, depending on whether you set up an alternative login method.
Before you delete, check which apps and websites use your Facebook login. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites. You'll see a list of everything connected to your Facebook account. For services you want to keep using, set up a separate password or link a different login method (like your email or Google account) before you delete Facebook.
What Facebook keeps after deletion
Even after your account is permanently deleted, Facebook keeps certain information for legal and security reasons. This includes records of transactions (if you made purchases), copies of messages you sent (stored on Facebook's backup systems), and data used to prevent fraud or abuse. Your profile, photos, and posts are gone, but the company retains some metadata behind the scenes.
Facebook also keeps information shared by other people about you — for example, if someone else uploaded a photo of you or mentioned you in a post before you deleted, that information may still exist in their data. You have no control over this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after 30 days?
No. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Your account, profile, photos, posts, and messages are erased. If you think you might want to come back, deactivate instead of delete — you can reactivate anytime within 30 days.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will notice your profile is gone, but Facebook doesn't send them a notification that you deleted. They may see that you're no longer in their friends list. If they search for you, your profile won't appear.
What if I log in during the 30-day deletion window?
Logging in stops the deletion process and reactivates your account completely. Everything returns to normal — your profile, photos, and messages come back. If you've already started deletion and change your mind, logging in is the only way to save your account.
Do I need to delete Instagram and WhatsApp too?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.
Can I delete my account on mobile and desktop differently?
No. Whether you use your phone or computer, the deletion process is the same and affects the same account. You only need to delete once — it applies across all devices.