Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion
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 your data in case you change your mind — you can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days. After 30 days, the data starts to delete, but the process takes up to 90 days total.
Deletion is permanent. After you request it, Facebook gives you 30 days to cancel if you change your mind. After those 30 days pass, your account, messages, photos, and posts are gone for good. Some information (like messages you sent to others) may stay in their inboxes, and some data may remain in Facebook's backups for a limited time, but your account itself cannot be recovered.
Most people who want out should choose deletion. Deactivation is useful only if you think you might come back later or want to step away without fully committing.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete after you request it, and you can cancel the deletion during those 30 days by logging back in.
- You must read your photos, messages, and other data before deleting if you want to keep copies — Facebook will not send them to you after deletion begins.
- Deactivation is reversible at any time within 30 days; deletion is not reversible after the 30-day window closes.
- Messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
read your data before you delete
Once deletion is complete, you cannot get your photos, videos, messages, or posts back. If you want copies, read them first. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click read Your Information on the left side. Choose the date range (usually "All of my information"), select the file format (HTML is easiest to read), and choose Medium or High quality for photos. Click Request a read. Facebook will email you a link within a few hours or a few days depending on how much data you have. read the file and save it somewhere safe on your computer.
If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites (like Spotify or a game), those logins will stop working after deletion. Write down which apps use your Facebook login so you can set up new passwords for them before you delete.
How to delete your account in four steps
The deletion process is straightforward but takes 30 days to finalize.
- Open Facebook and go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
- Scroll down and click Deactivation and Deletion on the left side.
- Choose Delete Account (not Deactivate Account).
- Click Continue, enter your password, and confirm the deletion. Facebook will ask you why you are leaving — you can skip this or answer it.
After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day waiting period. During this time, your profile is hidden from everyone, but the deletion is not yet permanent. If you log back in during these 30 days, the deletion will cancel and your account will return to normal.
After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently deletes your account. You will not receive a confirmation email when the 30 days are up — the deletion just happens automatically.
What happens to your data after deletion
Your profile, photos, posts, and messages you sent disappear from Facebook's visible systems. However, Facebook may keep copies of some data in backup systems for a limited time as part of normal business operations. This backup data is not accessible to you or the public.
Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. If you sent a photo to a friend, that friend still has it. If you posted something on a group or page, the post may remain if someone else shared it or if the group keeps records.
If you were tagged in photos by other people, those photos stay up unless you untag yourself before deletion. You can untag yourself from photos by going to your profile, clicking Photos, then Photos of You, and clicking the tag icon on each photo.
Deactivation: the temporary option
If you are not sure about permanent deletion, deactivation lets you step away without losing the option to return. Your profile becomes invisible to everyone, your messages stop showing, and your name disappears from search results and friend lists.
To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Deactivation and Deletion, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the prompts. You can reactivate by logging in with your email and password at any time within 30 days. After 30 days, deactivation becomes permanent deletion.
While deactivated, you can still use Messenger if you want to stay in touch with people one-on-one. Your friends cannot see your profile or send you messages through Facebook itself, but they can message you through Messenger if they have your contact info.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window
You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to cancel it. straightforward log back into Facebook using your email address and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and the deletion will be cancelled. All your photos, posts, and messages will return to normal.
After the 30-day window closes, you cannot undo the deletion. If you want to use Facebook again, you will have to create a brand-new account from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see my account during the 30-day deletion period?
No. As soon as you request deletion, your profile becomes invisible to everyone. Your name will not appear in search results, and your friends cannot see your posts or profile. The 30-day window is just the time Facebook gives you to change your mind — your account is hidden the whole time.
What if I forgot to read my photos before deleting?
Once the 30-day window closes, you cannot recover your photos from Facebook. If you deleted your account and want your data back, contact Facebook's support team to ask if they can help, but they typically cannot restore deleted accounts. This is why downloading before deletion is important.
Will my Instagram account be deleted too?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram account. If you want to delete Instagram, you have to do that separately through Instagram's settings.
Can I delete my account on mobile, or do I have to use a computer?
You can delete on mobile or computer — the steps are the same. Open the Facebook app or website, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, and follow the Deactivation and Deletion option. Mobile is just as fast as desktop.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings after deletion?
Your listings will be removed from Marketplace when your account is deleted. Buyers cannot contact you about items you listed. If you have active sales or pending transactions, complete or cancel them before you delete your account.