Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages and posts vanish from view, and friends cannot find you. But Facebook keeps your data. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, the account stays deleted — but Facebook may still hold onto your information for legal or operational reasons.

Deletion is permanent. You request it, wait 30 days while Facebook processes the request, and then your account and most associated data are gone for good. You cannot undo a deletion after those 30 days pass. This is the option to choose if you want a clean break.

Most people choose deletion because deactivation feels incomplete — your account still exists on Facebook's servers, and the temporary nature creates confusion. Deletion takes longer but gives you finality.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile for 30 days and can be reversed if you log back in; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
  • To delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Delete Account, and confirm your password.
  • Facebook keeps some data even after deletion, including information needed for legal disputes, financial records, and content you shared with others.
  • Before you delete, read your photos, messages, and posts using Facebook's read Your Information tool if you want to keep copies.
  • Deletion takes up to 30 days to complete, and you cannot log in or recover the account once the process finishes.

How to delete your account step by step

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the downward arrow on desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion.

You will see two options side by side: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask security questions to verify it is really you. Answer them, then select Delete Account again.

That is the entire process. Facebook will send you a confirmation email. Your account will be fully deleted 30 days later. During those 30 days, if you log in by accident, the deletion will stop and your account will reactivate — so avoid logging in if you are certain about leaving.

Save your photos and messages before you delete

Once your account is gone, you cannot retrieve your photos, videos, or message history from Facebook. If any of that matters to you, read it first using Facebook's read Your Information tool.

Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > read Your Information. Choose the date range (usually "All of My Information"), select what you want (photos, videos, posts, messages), and choose a file format. Facebook will prepare a file and email you a read link, usually within a few hours but sometimes within a day.

The downloaded file is a folder containing your data in readable formats. Messages come as HTML or JSON files you can open in any text editor. Photos and videos are organized by date. Keep this file somewhere safe — it is your only copy once the account is deleted.

What Facebook keeps even after deletion

Facebook's deletion policy is not the same as erasing. The company holds onto certain information even after your account is gone: copies of messages you sent to other people (they still have them), financial records if you made purchases, information needed for legal cases or disputes, and data shared with third-party apps before you disconnected them.

Facebook also keeps anonymized data — information stripped of your name and identifying details — for research and analytics. You cannot see this data or request it back, but it is not tied to you personally anymore.

If you are concerned about a specific piece of information, you can request it be removed before you delete. Go to your privacy settings and review what third-party apps have access to your data, then disconnect the ones you do not trust. You can also delete individual posts or photos before deletion if there is something you particularly want gone.

Deactivation: the temporary option

Deactivation is useful if you want to step away without burning the bridge. Your profile becomes invisible — friends cannot message you, find you in search, or see your old posts. But your messages to them remain in their inboxes, and any photos you were tagged in still appear in their albums.

To deactivate instead of delete, choose Deactivate Account in the same Settings menu. You will be asked why you are leaving (Facebook uses this for feedback). Confirm your password, and your account is hidden when ready.

If you change your mind within 30 days, log back in with your email and password. Your account, friends list, messages, and posts will all return. After 30 days of inactivity, Facebook deletes the deactivated account automatically — so deactivation eventually becomes deletion if you do not return.

What happens to your data on other websites

If you used Facebook to log into other apps or websites — Spotify, Instagram, dating apps, games — those accounts do not automatically close. You will lose the ability to use "Login with Facebook" on those services, but the accounts themselves stay active.

Before you delete your Facebook account, change the passwords on any other accounts that use Facebook login. Go to each service's settings, find the Connected Apps or Login Methods section, and disconnect Facebook. Then set a new password directly with that service so you can still log in after Facebook is gone.

Instagram is owned by Meta (the parent company of Facebook), so deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. You would need to delete Instagram separately if you want both gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

No. You have 30 days to change your mind — if you log in during that window, the deletion stops and your account comes back. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. You would have to create a brand new account from scratch.

Will my friends still see messages I sent them?

Yes. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account. They will see your name on those messages, but they cannot click your name to visit your profile. If you want those messages gone, you would need to ask each person to delete them individually.

What if I forgot my password?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the Facebook login page. Facebook will send a reset link to your email or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can log in and proceed with deletion. If you cannot access your email or phone, you may need to use Facebook's account recovery process, which can take several days.

Does deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?

No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts even though they are owned by the same company. Deleting one does not affect the other. If you want both gone, you must delete each account separately through its own settings.

How long does it take for my account to be completely gone?

Up to 30 days. Facebook begins the deletion process when ready after you confirm, but the company takes up to a month to fully remove your data from its servers. During this time, you cannot log in, but the account technically still exists in Facebook's system.