Facebook gives you two separate options, and they work very differently
You can disable your account temporarily — Facebook holds it in a frozen state for up to 30 days, then reactivates it if you log back in. You can also delete your account permanently — Facebook removes your profile, photos, and posts over about 90 days, and you cannot recover them. Disabling is reversible. Deletion is not. Which one you choose depends on whether you think you might want to return.
Both options remove your account from public view when ready. Friends cannot message you or see your profile. Your name stops appearing in search results. The difference is what happens to your data and whether you can change your mind later.
Key Takeaways
- Disabling freezes your account for up to 30 days and reactivates automatically if you log in; deletion removes everything permanently after 90 days.
- When you disable your account, Facebook keeps your data on its servers; when you delete, the company begins removing your information but some copies may remain in backups.
- You can disable your account from Settings on desktop or mobile, but deletion requires you to use a web browser, not the mobile app.
- If you delete your account and change your mind within 30 days, you can contact Facebook to stop the deletion process.
How to disable your account temporarily
On desktop, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Click on your name at the top left if you do not see it. Scroll down to find "Deactivation and Deletion" — it is near the bottom. Click "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask you to enter your password and choose a reason (optional). Select "Deactivate" to confirm.
On mobile, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to "Deactivation and Deletion" and tap "Deactivate Account." Follow the same steps to confirm.
Once you deactivate, your profile disappears from Facebook when ready. Your friends cannot see your account or send you messages. If you log back in at any point during the 30-day window, your account reactivates automatically and everything returns to normal. After 30 days without logging in, Facebook reactivates your account anyway.
How to permanently delete your account
Deletion must be done on a web browser — the Facebook mobile app does not offer this option. Go to facebook.com on a computer or phone browser. Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. Find "Deactivation and Deletion" and click "Delete Account." Facebook will ask you to enter your password and choose a reason. Click "Delete Account" to confirm.
Facebook begins removing your information when ready, but the process takes about 90 days. During this time, your profile is not visible to anyone, but the company is still deleting copies of your data from its servers. Some information may remain in backups for a longer period, though Facebook does not make the exact timeline public.
If you delete your account and then change your mind within 30 days, you can contact Facebook through its help center to request that the deletion be stopped. After 30 days, the company will not reverse the deletion.
What happens to your data when you disable versus delete
When you disable your account, Facebook stores all your information — your photos, messages, posts, and friend list — on its servers. The data is straightforward hidden from view. If you reactivate, everything is exactly as you left it. This is useful if you want a break from Facebook but think you might return.
When you delete your account, Facebook begins the process of removing your data. However, the company retains some information for legal and operational reasons — for example, messages you sent to other people may remain in their inboxes, and Facebook keeps records of transactions for financial compliance. Information you shared publicly may also be cached by search engines or archived on other websites, which Facebook cannot remove.
Removing your information before you disable or delete
If you want to reduce the amount of data Facebook has about you before you disable or delete, read your information first. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to "Your Information and Permissions" and click "read Your Information." Facebook will create a file containing your photos, posts, and contact list. This takes a few hours to a few days depending on how much data you have.
You can also delete individual posts, photos, or comments before disabling or deleting. Go to your profile, find the post you want to remove, click the three dots in the corner, and select "Delete." Removing things one by one takes time if you have years of content, but it gives you control over what stays on Facebook's servers.
What you should know about Facebook's other accounts and services
Disabling or deleting your Facebook account does not automatically disable Instagram, WhatsApp, or Messenger if you use those services. Facebook owns all three, but they operate as separate accounts. If you want to leave Instagram or WhatsApp, you must disable or delete those accounts separately using the same process.
If you use your Facebook login to sign into other websites or apps — for example, Spotify or a news site — those logins will stop working once you delete your account. Before you delete, go through any apps or websites you use and either change your password to something you create yourself or link them to a different login method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my email or phone number to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. Once your account is fully deleted, the email address and phone number are no longer tied to it. Someone could theoretically create a new account with that information. To prevent this, change your email and phone number in your Facebook settings before you delete, or delete your account and then change your email password when ready afterward.
Will my friends be able to see my old messages after I delete my account?
Yes. When you delete your account, the messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. They can still read what you wrote, but your profile will no longer be visible when they click on your name. Facebook does not delete messages from the recipient's side.
What if I disable my account but want to reactivate it after 30 days?
Log back in with your email and password at any time, even after 30 days. Your account will reactivate when ready and all your data will be restored. There is no time limit on reactivation — you can disable for a month or a year and still come back.
Does deleting my Facebook account remove me from Facebook groups or events I joined?
Yes. Once your account is deleted, you are removed from all groups and events. Your name will no longer appear on attendee lists or group member lists. However, any posts or comments you made in those groups may remain visible, though they will be attributed to a deleted account rather than your name.
Can I read my photos and messages before I delete?
Yes. Use the "read Your Information" tool in Settings to get a copy of your photos, posts, and messages before you delete. This creates a file you can save to your computer. Do this before you delete your account, because once deletion is complete, you cannot retrieve this information from Facebook.