Facebook gives you two options: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and photos from other users for as long as you want. You can reactivate by logging back in. Deletion removes your account and all its content from Facebook's servers within about 30 days, though some data may remain in backups for longer. Most people who want to leave Facebook entirely should choose deletion, not deactivation, because deactivation is reversible and Facebook keeps your data intact.

The choice depends on whether you might return. If you think you'll come back in a few months, deactivate. If you're done with the platform, delete. You cannot undo deletion after the 30-day grace period ends, so be certain before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days, while deactivation temporarily hides it and lets you return by logging in.
  • You must read your photos, videos, and posts before deletion if you want to keep copies, because Facebook will erase them.
  • The deletion process starts in Settings under "Deactivation and Deletion," and you will need to re-enter your password and solve a security check.
  • Facebook keeps some data in backup systems for up to 90 days even after deletion, but your account will not be recoverable after 30 days.

read your data before you delete

Facebook stores years of photos, videos, messages, and posts. Once you delete your account, you lose access to all of it. Before you start the deletion process, read a copy of everything you want to keep.

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to "Your Information and Permissions" and click "read Your Information." Facebook will let you choose what to read — photos, videos, posts, messages, contacts, and more. You can select a date range or read everything. Facebook will prepare a file (usually a ZIP folder) that you can read to your computer. This takes anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.

Save this file somewhere safe, like an external hard drive or cloud storage. Once deletion is complete, this downloaded copy is your only record of what was on your account.

How to delete your account in Settings

Open Facebook on a web browser (not the mobile app — deletion is easier on desktop). Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings."

On the left side, scroll down and click "Deactivation and Deletion." You will see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account." Click "Delete Account." Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and solve a security check (usually identifying friends in photos). After you complete this, your deletion request is submitted.

Your account will be hidden when ready, but Facebook keeps it in a deletion state for 30 days. If you log in during this period, the deletion cancels and your account reactivates. After 30 days, deletion becomes permanent and you cannot recover the account.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

When you delete your account, your messages disappear from your own inbox, but they may remain in other people's inboxes. Friends will still see conversations with you, though your name and profile picture may show as "Facebook User" or a blank account. You cannot control this — it is how Facebook handles deleted accounts in message threads.

Photos that other people posted and tagged you in will stay on their profiles and in their albums. Deletion only removes photos you uploaded yourself. If you want those tagged photos gone, you need to ask the people who posted them to untag you or delete the photos before you delete your account.

Comments you made on other people's posts will also remain visible, though they may show as coming from a deleted account rather than your name.

Deactivation: the temporary option

If you are not ready to delete permanently, deactivation lets you step away without losing your account. Your profile, photos, and posts become invisible to other users. Friends cannot message you or see your activity. Search engines will not find your profile.

To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Deactivation and Deletion," and choose "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask why you are leaving and offer options to stay in touch. You can reactivate anytime by logging in with your password — your profile and all its content will return when ready.

Deactivation is useful if you want a break from Facebook but might return, or if you are unsure about permanent deletion. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want.

What Facebook keeps after deletion

Even after your 30-day deletion period ends, Facebook retains some information. Backup copies of your data may exist on their servers for up to 90 days. This is standard practice for large platforms — they keep backups in case of system failures or data corruption.

Facebook also keeps records of actions you took on the platform — things like posts you reported, accounts you blocked, or pages you reported for abuse. This information helps them maintain safety and prevent spam, and it is not tied to your account name or profile after deletion.

Messages you sent to other people may be stored on Facebook's servers as part of those conversations, even though they are gone from your account. You have no control over this once the message is sent.

If you change your mind during the 30-day window

You have 30 days to cancel the deletion. straightforward log into your account with your email and password, and your account will reactivate when ready. All your photos, posts, friends, and messages will return exactly as they were. Facebook will not ask why you are coming back or require you to confirm anything — logging in automatically cancels the deletion.

After 30 days, this option disappears. Your account becomes permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you realize after 30 days that you want your account back, you will need to create a new account from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account from the mobile app?

Facebook's mobile app does not have a delete option. You must use a web browser on a computer or phone. Go to facebook.com, log in, and follow the Settings path to "Deactivation and Deletion." Some people find it easier to use a mobile web browser than the app for this reason.

Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp account?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though Meta owns all three. Deleting your Facebook account will not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete each account separately if you want to remove all three.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the Facebook login page to reset it. You will need access to the email or phone number associated with your account. Once you reset your password, log in and proceed with deletion through Settings.

Does Facebook delete my account if I do not log in for a long time?

No. Inactive accounts stay on Facebook indefinitely. Your account will not be automatically deleted no matter how long you ignore it. You must manually delete it through Settings if you want it gone.

Can I delete just my photos or posts instead of my whole account?

Yes. You can delete individual posts, photos, or albums without deleting your account. Go to your profile, find the post or photo, click the three dots, and select "Delete." To delete everything at once, you would need to delete each item individually, or you can deactivate your account to hide everything without permanent deletion.