Facebook gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work differently
You can deactivate your Facebook account, which hides it temporarily, or delete it permanently. Deactivation is reversible — you can reactivate within 30 days by logging back in. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from Facebook's servers. Most people who want to leave choose deletion, but deactivation is useful if you might return later or want time to think.
Facebook does not let you choose deletion and then change your mind the next day. Once the 30-day window closes, your account and everything in it is gone. During those 30 days, Facebook keeps your data in case you log back in. After 30 days, deletion becomes irreversible.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps it recoverable for 30 days; deletion removes it permanently after 30 days.
- You must go through Facebook's account settings to start either process — there is no phone number or email address to contact.
- During the 30-day window after deletion, your account still exists on Facebook's servers and you can restore it by logging in.
- Messages you sent to others remain visible to them even after you delete your account; only your profile and your copies disappear.
- Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts are separate from your Facebook account and will not be affected by closing Facebook.
How to deactivate your account (temporary removal)
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then click Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Once in Settings, look for the section called Personal Information or Account. Click or tap 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 may ask why you are leaving — you can skip that question. Click Deactivate and your account will be hidden when ready.
When your account is deactivated, your profile disappears from search results and other people cannot find your page. Your messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they cannot reply to you. If you change your mind within 30 days, straightforward log back in with your email and password and your account will reactivate.
How to permanently delete your account (irreversible after 30 days)
The deletion process starts the same way as deactivation. Open Settings, go to Personal Information or Account, and click Deactivation and Deletion. This time, choose Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password again and may ask for a reason — you can skip the reason.
After you confirm deletion, Facebook gives you a 30-day grace period. During this time, your account still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log in with your email and password at any point during those 30 days, your deletion request will be cancelled and your account will return to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, deletion becomes permanent and cannot be undone.
Once deletion is final, your profile, photos, posts, and friend list are removed from Facebook. Messages you sent to other people will still appear in their inboxes — deleting your account does not erase conversations from the other person's side. Any comments you made on public pages or groups may also remain visible, though they will show as from a deleted account rather than by your name.
What happens to your data during the 30-day waiting period
Facebook keeps your account data on its servers for 30 days after you request deletion. This is a safety measure so you can restore your account if you change your mind. During this time, your profile is not visible to other users and you cannot log in normally, but the data has not been erased yet.
If you log in during the 30-day window, your deletion request is cancelled when ready and your account returns to full working order. You will not lose any photos, posts, or friends. This is why the 30-day period exists — to prevent accidental permanent loss.
What does not get deleted when you close your account
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes and message threads. Deleting your account does not remove those messages from their side. If you want to delete specific conversations, you can do that before you close your account by opening Messenger, finding the conversation, and selecting Delete Chat.
Comments and posts you made on other people's pages, business pages, or public groups may remain visible. They will show as posted by a deleted account rather than by your name, but the text itself stays. If you want those removed before deletion, you can go back and delete individual posts and comments manually.
If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites — like Spotify, Pinterest, or games — those connections will break when you delete your account. You will need to create separate passwords for those services or use a different login method. Check your connected apps in Settings before you delete, so you know which services will be affected.
Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp stay separate
Closing your Facebook account does not close Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp. These are technically separate accounts even though Facebook owns them. If you want to close those too, you must delete them individually through their own settings.
To delete Messenger, open the app, go to Settings, scroll to Account, and choose Delete Account. To delete Instagram, go to Settings, tap Account, then Delete Account. To delete WhatsApp, go to Settings, tap Account, then Delete My Account. Each one has its own 30-day waiting period.
If you want to read your information first
Before you delete your account, you can read a copy of your photos, posts, and other data. Go to Settings, find Your Information, and click read Your Information. Facebook will prepare a file with your data and send you a link to read it. This usually takes a few hours. You can do this before deactivation or deletion, and it does not affect the closing process.
This read is useful if you want to keep copies of your photos or posts after your account is gone. The file is yours to keep and Facebook will not have it after you delete your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my email address to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. After your account is permanently deleted, the email address is no longer tied to Facebook and anyone can use it to create a new account. If you want to prevent this, you can change your email address in Settings before you delete, or use a different email for a new account later if you change your mind.
What if I deactivate but then want to delete instead?
You can switch from deactivation to deletion at any time. Log back in, go to Settings, choose Deactivation and Deletion, and select Delete Account instead. You will enter a new 30-day waiting period for deletion. Deactivation time does not count toward the deletion waiting period.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile is gone, but Facebook does not send them a notification that you deleted it. They may notice you are no longer in their friend list or that your profile cannot be found, but there is no official announcement.
Can I delete my account if I have an active Marketplace listing or unpaid bills?
You can request deletion, but Facebook may delay it if you have an active Marketplace listing or outstanding payments. Resolve any active listings or bills first by cancelling listings and paying any owed amounts. After that, you can proceed with deletion.
Does deleting Facebook also delete my photos from other websites that shared them?
No. If you shared photos to other websites or if other sites embedded your Facebook photos, those copies remain on those other sites. Deleting your Facebook account only removes your copy from Facebook. You would need to contact those other websites separately to remove photos from their servers.