Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion, and they work very differently
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 all your data. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, the account is gone — but Facebook retains your information for its own records.
Deletion is permanent. You request it, wait 30 days, and then your account and all associated data are removed from Facebook's servers. You cannot undo this. If you change your mind during the 30-day window, you can cancel the deletion request by logging back in. After 30 days pass, the deletion is final.
Most people choose deactivation if they think they might return. Choose deletion if you want Facebook to stop holding your information and you're certain you won't come back.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account temporarily and keeps all your data intact; deletion permanently removes your account and data after a 30-day waiting period.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, then choose Deactivate Account.
- To delete, go to the same menu and choose Delete Account, then confirm your choice — you'll have 30 days to change your mind.
- Facebook will ask you why you're leaving; you don't have to answer, but the feedback helps you understand what data they're keeping.
- Some data tied to your account — like messages you sent to others — may remain visible to the people who received them even after deletion.
How to deactivate your account on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner (next to your name). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. You'll see two options. Click the radio button next to Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue.
A screen will appear asking why you're deactivating. You can select a reason or skip this step — it's optional. Click Deactivate at the bottom. Your account is now hidden.
How to deactivate your account on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
Scroll down to Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select Deactivate Account and enter your password when prompted. Tap Continue.
Answer the optional question about why you're leaving, then tap Deactivate. Your account is now deactivated.
How to permanently delete your account on desktop
Follow the same first steps: click the downward arrow in the top right, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings, then click Deactivation and Deletion.
This time, click the radio button next to Delete Account. Enter your password and click Continue. Facebook will ask why you're leaving — this is optional. Click Delete Account at the bottom.
A confirmation message will appear reminding you that deletion takes 30 days and is permanent. Click Delete Account again. Your deletion request is now submitted. You have 30 days to log back in and cancel if you change your mind.
How to permanently delete your account on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings.
Scroll to Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select Delete Account and enter your password. Tap Continue.
Answer the optional question, then tap Delete Account. Confirm the deletion on the next screen by tapping Delete Account again. Your 30-day deletion window has started.
What happens to your data during the 30-day waiting period
During these 30 days, your account is invisible to everyone. Your profile won't appear in search results, your friends can't message you, and your posts are hidden. But Facebook is still holding your data in case you change your mind.
If you log back in at any point during the 30 days, your deletion request is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins removing your information from its servers. This process can take several more weeks to complete fully.
Messages you sent to other people will still be visible to them — deletion only removes your account, not the conversations you had. Photos you were tagged in by others may also remain visible on their accounts.
What data Facebook keeps after deletion
Facebook says it deletes your account data, but some information persists. Messages and photos you sent to others remain in their inboxes and albums. If you were tagged in someone else's photo, that tag may disappear, but the photo stays.
Facebook also keeps certain data for legal and security reasons — things like transaction records if you made purchases, or information needed to prevent fraud. They may also keep backup copies of deleted data for a limited time before permanently destroying them.
If you want to see what Facebook has stored about you before you delete, you can read your information. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > read Your Information. This shows you photos, posts, messages, and other data tied to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after deactivation?
Yes. Log back in with your email and password at any time, and your account returns when ready with all your data intact. There's no time limit on reactivation — you can deactivate for a month or a year and come back whenever you want.
What if I log in during the 30-day deletion period?
Logging in cancels your deletion request and your account becomes active again. If you want to delete, you'll need to go through the deletion process a second time and wait another 30 days.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
No. Your profile will straightforward disappear from their view. They won't receive a notification. If they try to visit your profile, they'll see a message that the page isn't available, but Facebook won't tell them you deleted it.
Can I delete just my photos or posts instead of my whole account?
Yes. You don't have to delete your entire account. You can delete individual posts by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting Delete, or delete all photos from your Photos section one at a time. Deactivation is a middle ground if you want to hide everything without permanent deletion.
What about my Instagram account if I delete Facebook?
Deleting your Facebook account does not delete your Instagram account, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Your Instagram profile remains active unless you separately delete it through Instagram's settings.