Facebook gives you two ways to remove yourself: deactivation, which is temporary and reversible, or deletion, which is permanent and takes 30 days to complete

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and photos from other users when ready, but Facebook keeps your data in case you want to reactivate. You can log back in anytime within that window and restore everything. Deletion is different — after you request it, Facebook waits 30 days, then erases your account and all associated data permanently. You cannot undo deletion after those 30 days pass.

Most people choose deactivation first because it is reversible. If you are certain you will never return, deletion is the option that removes you completely. Both start from the same menu in Facebook's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account when ready but keeps your data for 30 days; you can reactivate by logging in again anytime during that window.
  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days pass; Facebook will not restore your account or data once that period ends.
  • You must use a computer or the mobile web version to deactivate or delete — the Facebook app does not have these options in its settings menu.
  • If you share a device with others, log out completely before starting the process so no one accidentally reactivates your account.
  • Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts remain active unless you delete those separately; closing Facebook does not affect them.

How to deactivate your account temporarily

Open Facebook in a web browser on a computer or phone and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner (on mobile, this is the three horizontal lines). Scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then Settings.

On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Choose Deactivate account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and select a reason for leaving. You do not have to pick a reason, but Facebook uses your answer to improve the platform. Click Deactivate at the bottom.

Your account is now hidden. Your name and profile picture disappear from search results, your posts are no longer visible to others, and messages you sent remain but show as "Facebook User" instead of your name. If you change your mind, straightforward log in with your email and password, and your account reactivates when ready with everything restored.

How to permanently delete your account

Follow the same path: downward arrow in the top right, Settings and privacy, Settings, then Deactivation and deletion. This time, select Delete account. Facebook will ask for your password again and show you what will happen — your profile, photos, posts, and messages will be erased.

Click Delete to confirm. Facebook then begins a 30-day waiting period. During these 30 days, your account is not visible to anyone, but the data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log in during this window, your deletion request cancels and your account reactivates. After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook permanently erases everything.

Do not log in during the 30-day period if you want the deletion to go through. If you share a device with family members or roommates, consider changing your password first or logging out completely so no one accidentally reactivates your account by signing in.

What happens to your data and messages

When you deactivate, your messages stay on Facebook's servers. People who messaged you can still see the conversation, but your name appears as "Facebook User." When you delete, those messages are erased after the 30-day period ends, and the other person's copy of the conversation remains but shows no sender information.

Photos you posted are deleted during permanent deletion. However, if someone else tagged you in a photo or posted a photo of you, that image stays on their account — deleting your Facebook account does not remove photos other people uploaded. If you want those removed, you must contact the person who posted them or report the image to Facebook before you delete.

Any information you shared with third-party apps connected to your Facebook account may remain with those apps. Before deleting, go to Settings, then Apps and websites, and remove access for any apps you no longer want connected to your account.

Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp stay active

Closing your Facebook account does not automatically close Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp if you have separate accounts on those platforms. If your Messenger account is linked only to your Facebook account, you will lose access to Messenger when you delete Facebook. However, if you set up a Messenger PIN or phone number, you can keep using Messenger independently.

Instagram and WhatsApp are owned by Meta (the parent company of Facebook) but operate as separate services. Deleting Facebook does not touch them. If you want to close Instagram or WhatsApp, you must delete those accounts separately through their own settings.

If you change your mind during the 30-day deletion window

You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to log back in and cancel the process. Use your email address and password to sign in normally. Your account will reactivate when ready, and all your data returns. After 30 days pass without a login, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be reversed.

If you are worried you might accidentally log in, consider changing your password to something you will not remember, or ask someone you trust to change it for you. This prevents accidental reactivation if you forget you requested deletion.

Why you might choose deactivation over deletion

Deactivation is useful if you want to step away but are not ready to commit to permanent removal. Many people deactivate for a few weeks or months, then reactivate when they feel ready. It also gives you time to read your photos and information before deciding whether to delete permanently.

Deletion makes sense if you are certain you will not return and want Facebook to have no record of your account. Some people delete because of privacy concerns, others because they want to reduce time on social media, and others because they no longer use the platform. The choice depends on how final you want this decision to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else reactivate my account if I share a device?

Yes. If you deactivate and someone with access to your device logs into Facebook with your email and password, your account reactivates when ready. To prevent this, change your password to something only you know, or log out completely before deactivating. During the 30-day deletion window, a login also cancels the deletion request, so the same risk applies.

Will my friends be notified that I deleted my account?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you deactivate or delete. Your account straightforward disappears from their view. They may notice you are no longer visible in their friend list, but they will not receive a message about it.

Can I read my photos before I delete?

Yes. Before you delete, go to Settings, then Your information and permissions, then read your information. Facebook will prepare a file with your photos, posts, and messages that you can read. This takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. You can do this anytime, even after you request deletion — you have 30 days to change your mind.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?

Go to facebook.com and click Forgotten password? on the login screen. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Once you reset it, you can log in and proceed with deactivation or deletion. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, contact Facebook's support through their help center.

Does deactivating my account remove me from group chats?

You remain in group chats during deactivation, but your name shows as "Facebook User" and people cannot click your profile. Your messages stay visible in the chat. If you delete your account permanently, your messages remain in the group but show no sender information after the 30-day period ends.