Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and photos from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in. Deletion is permanent — after 30 days, your account and everything on it is gone, and you cannot get it back by logging in again.

Which one you choose depends on whether you might want to return. If you think you'll use Facebook again in a few months, deactivate. If you're done with the platform entirely, delete. Either way, the process takes less than five minutes to start.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; deletion removes everything permanently after a 30-day waiting period.
  • You can deactivate from Settings on desktop or mobile, and reactivate anytime by logging in again.
  • Deletion also starts in Settings but requires you to re-enter your password and cannot be undone after 30 days pass.
  • Facebook does not delete messages you sent to other people — those stay in their inboxes even after your account is gone.
  • Some data like payment history and legal records may be kept longer than 30 days for tax and compliance reasons.

How to deactivate your account on desktop

Go to the Settings menu in the top right corner of Facebook (the downward arrow next to your profile picture). Click Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account, then click Continue to account deactivation.

Facebook will ask you why you're leaving and offer options to stay in touch. You can skip these. Enter your password to confirm, then click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden. You won't see it in search results, and your friends won't see your posts or profile, but you can log back in anytime to reactivate.

How to deactivate on mobile (iPhone or Android)

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Account ownership and control, then Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and tap Continue.

Answer the optional questions, enter your password, and tap Deactivate. The process is identical to desktop — your account hides when ready, and you can reactivate by logging in again.

How to permanently delete your account

Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Deactivation and deletion on the left. This time, choose Delete account instead of deactivate, then click Continue to account deletion. Enter your password and solve a security check (usually identifying photos or friends).

Click Delete. Facebook will tell you that deletion takes about 30 days. During this time, your account is not visible to anyone, but the data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log in during these 30 days, the deletion stops and your account reactivates. After 30 days pass, the deletion is final — you cannot recover your account, photos, messages, or any other data by logging in.

What happens to your messages and data after deletion

Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Facebook does not delete them from the recipient's account. Photos you posted are removed from your profile and from Facebook's public search, but if someone saved or downloaded them before deletion, those copies remain on their device.

Some data persists longer than 30 days. Payment records, tax information, and data related to legal disputes may be kept for longer periods to comply with law and accounting rules. Facebook publishes its data retention policy, but the specifics vary by country and situation. If you need to know exactly what data Facebook is keeping and for how long, you can request your data read before you delete — see the FAQ section below.

Why you might want to read your data first

Before you delete, you can read a copy of everything Facebook has about you: photos, videos, posts, messages, and contact information. This takes a few minutes to request and a few hours to a few days to receive, depending on how much data you have.

Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Your information and permissions, then read your information. Choose the date range (usually "all of my data"), select the file format (HTML is easiest to read), and click Request a read. Facebook will email you a link when the file is ready. read it and save it somewhere safe before you delete your account, so you have a record of your posts and photos.

What to do about other accounts linked to Facebook

Many apps and websites let you log in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. If you delete Facebook, you lose access to those apps unless you change your login method first.

Before you delete, go through the apps you use regularly and check whether they're connected to Facebook. On Instagram (which Facebook owns), you can change your login to an email address and password instead. On other apps, look for a "change password" or "change login method" option in settings. If an app requires Facebook login and has no alternative, you'll lose access to that account when Facebook is deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo deletion after the 30 days are up?

No. After 30 days, your account and all associated data are permanently removed from Facebook's servers. You cannot recover it by logging in or contacting Facebook support. If you think you might want your account back, deactivate instead of delete.

Will my friends know I deleted my account?

Your friends will see that your profile no longer exists, but Facebook does not send them a notification that you deleted it. If they try to visit your profile or search for you, they'll see that the account is gone. They won't know whether you deactivated or deleted unless you tell them.

What if I deactivate but change my mind after a few months?

Log in with your email and password, and your account reactivates when ready. All your posts, photos, and friends list come back. Deactivation has no time limit — you can reactivate after a week, a year, or five years.

Does Facebook delete my data from its backup servers?

Facebook uses backup systems to protect against data loss. These backups may take longer than 30 days to fully delete, but they are not accessible to you or the public. After 30 days, your account is gone from the main system, and backups are eventually purged according to Facebook's internal schedule.

Can I delete my account if I'm locked out or forgot my password?

You'll need to regain access to your account first. Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page, or if you can't access your email, use the account recovery tool. Once you're logged in, follow the deletion steps above. If you cannot recover your account, contact Facebook support through their help center.