The difference between deactivating and deleting your page
Facebook offers two separate paths, and they work very differently. Deactivating hides your page from the public but keeps it in Facebook's system — you can reactivate it later by logging back in. Deleting removes the page permanently after 30 days, and you cannot recover it afterward.
Most people deactivate when they want a break or are unsure about returning. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not need the page again. If you manage a business page, know that deactivating it also hides your business information, reviews, and messages from customers during that time.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your page but keeps it recoverable for 30 days; deletion removes it permanently after that waiting period.
- You access page settings through the three-line menu at the top right of your page, then select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice and may offer options to read your information before the page closes.
- If you deactivate and change your mind within 30 days, you can reactivate by logging in with your original email and password.
- Business pages that are deactivated will not appear in search results or show customer reviews and messages until reactivation.
How to deactivate your page
Open Facebook and go to your page (not your personal profile). Tap or click the three horizontal lines at the top right of the page. Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left side, look for Deactivation or Deletion. Click it. Facebook will show you two options: "Deactivate Page" and "Delete Page". Choose Deactivate Page. You will see a confirmation screen explaining what happens — your page will be hidden, but you can bring it back by logging in again.
Facebook may ask why you are deactivating. You can skip this or select a reason. Click Deactivate Page again to confirm. Your page is now hidden from public view.
How to delete your page permanently
Follow the same steps to reach Deactivation or Deletion in Settings. This time, choose Delete Page. Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and that you have 30 days to change your mind.
During those 30 days, your page is in a deletion queue. If you log back in and go to your page settings, you will see an option to Cancel Deletion. Click it to stop the process and keep your page. After 30 days pass, Facebook removes the page completely and you cannot recover it.
Before deletion, Facebook offers to read your page information — photos, posts, and comments. If you want a record of what was on the page, select read Your Information and follow the prompts. Facebook will email you a file within a few days.
What happens to your page during deactivation
When you deactivate, your page disappears from search results and from other people's feeds. No one can see your posts, photos, or profile picture. Messages you receive go to a folder you cannot access until you reactivate.
If your page is a business page, your business information, hours, and customer reviews will not show up on Google or Facebook. Customers cannot leave new reviews or send you messages. This can affect your business visibility, so consider whether a temporary break is worth the cost.
Your page name remains reserved under your account. If you reactivate, everything returns exactly as it was — no posts are lost, no followers are removed.
What happens to your page during the 30-day deletion window
After you choose deletion, your page enters a 30-day waiting period. During this time, your page is not visible to the public, but it still exists in Facebook's system. You can still cancel the deletion by logging in and visiting your page settings.
If you do nothing for 30 days, Facebook permanently removes the page. All posts, photos, comments, and messages are deleted. Followers cannot access the page or any of its content. There is no way to recover it after this point.
If you change your mind at any point during the 30 days, log in with your original email and password, go back to your page settings, and select Cancel Deletion. Your page will return to normal when ready.
Deactivating a personal profile versus a page
This guide covers pages, which are public profiles for businesses, creators, or organizations. If you want to close a personal Facebook profile instead, the process is similar but slightly different. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find Deactivation or Deletion on the left side.
Personal profiles follow the same 30-day deletion window as pages. The main difference is that a personal profile is tied to your Facebook account, while a page is something you manage as an admin. If you deactivate your personal profile, you cannot use Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, or other Meta services until you reactivate.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you cannot find the deactivation option, make sure you are on your page and not your personal profile. The three-line menu at the top right should show your page name, not your personal name. If you see your personal name, click it and switch to your page.
If Facebook will not let you deactivate because you are the only admin, you must add another admin first or transfer ownership. Go to Settings, then Page Roles, and add someone else as an admin. Once another admin is in place, you can deactivate.
If you forgot your password and cannot log in to cancel a deletion, use the Forgot Password link on the Facebook login screen. Facebook will send a reset link to your email. Once you reset your password, you can log in and cancel the deletion before the 30 days end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my page after 30 days?
No. After 30 days, the deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. If you think you might want your page back, deactivate instead of delete. You can reactivate a deactivated page at any time by logging in.
What happens to my followers when I deactivate?
Your followers cannot see your page while it is deactivated, but they are not removed. If you reactivate, all your followers will still be there. If you delete permanently, followers lose access to the page forever.
Can someone else take over my page if I deactivate it?
No. Deactivation does not transfer ownership. Only you can reactivate it. If you want someone else to run the page, add them as an admin before you deactivate, or transfer ownership through Page Roles in Settings.
Will deactivating my page affect my personal Facebook account?
Deactivating a page does not affect your personal account. You can still use Facebook normally. Your personal profile, messages, and friends list remain active. Only the page itself is hidden.
How do I read my page information before deletion?
When you choose to delete your page, Facebook offers a read Your Information option on the confirmation screen. Click it and follow the prompts. Facebook will prepare a file of your posts, photos, and comments and email it to you within a few days.