Facebook gives you two separate options: deactivation and deletion
Deactivation temporarily hides your profile. Your name disappears from search, your friends cannot see your posts or messages, and your profile looks gone — but Facebook keeps all your data in case you change your mind. You can reactivate by logging back in at any time, even years later.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from their servers. You cannot recover a deleted account. The difference matters because deactivation is reversible and deletion is not.
Most people who want to "cancel" Facebook actually want deactivation — they are taking a break but might return. If you are certain you will never use Facebook again, deletion is the right choice. This guide covers both paths.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data; you can reactivate by logging in again at any point.
- Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days, and you cannot recover it once those 30 days pass.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, select Settings, then find Deactivation and Deletion in the left menu.
- To delete, follow the same path but choose Delete Account instead, then wait 30 days before the deletion becomes final.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice and may show you reasons to stay — this is normal and does not change the outcome.
How to deactivate your Facebook profile
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines on phone, down arrow in the top right on desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, scroll down and tap or click Deactivation and Deletion.
Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account. The site will ask you to pick a reason for leaving — this is optional and does not affect the deactivation. You can skip this step or select a reason; either way, click Continue.
Enter your password to confirm. Facebook may show you a screen with photos of your friends and messages like "Your friends will miss you" — this is a standard retention screen and does not prevent deactivation. Click Deactivate to finish. Your profile is now hidden.
When you deactivate, your name no longer appears in search results, your friends cannot message you, and your posts are invisible to everyone except you. If you log back in at any time — even months or years later — your profile reactivates automatically and everything returns to normal.
How to permanently delete your Facebook profile
Follow the same first steps: menu icon, Settings and Privacy, Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion on the left. This time, choose Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account.
Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and show you a message explaining that deletion is permanent and takes 30 days. Read this carefully — once you confirm, you have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in. After those 30 days, your account and all its data are gone forever.
Click Delete Account to start the 30-day countdown. During this period, your profile is hidden from everyone, but you can still log in to cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently removes your profile, posts, photos, messages, and all associated data from their servers.
The 30-day waiting period exists so you can recover your account if you change your mind. If you log in during those 30 days, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. If you do nothing, the deletion completes automatically.
What happens to your data after deletion
Once the 30 days end, Facebook removes your profile and posts from their main servers. However, copies of your information may remain in their backup systems for a limited time. Facebook also cannot remove data that other people have downloaded, screenshotted, or shared elsewhere — anything you posted publicly may have been saved by others.
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted. If you want to remove a specific message, you can delete it from your end before you delete your account, but the recipient will still see it unless they delete it themselves.
If you used your Facebook login to sign into other apps or websites — like Instagram, Spotify, or games — deleting Facebook does not automatically delete those accounts. You will need to change the login method on those services separately or delete them individually if you want them gone.
Deactivating versus deleting: which should you choose
Choose deactivation if you might want to return to Facebook someday, even if that day is far away. Deactivation is reversible, takes effect when ready, and requires no waiting period. You can reactivate by straightforward logging in again.
Choose deletion if you are certain you will never use Facebook again and want your data removed from their servers. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone. Use deletion if you have privacy concerns or want a complete break from the platform.
Many people deactivate first to see how they feel after a few weeks without Facebook. If you discover you miss it, you can reactivate. If you feel better without it, you can always come back and delete permanently later.
If you cannot find the deactivation or deletion option
The menu structure changes occasionally, and some older accounts or accounts in certain regions may have different layouts. If you cannot find Deactivation and Deletion in Settings, try searching for it: go to Settings, then use the search bar at the top to type "deactivate" or "delete".
If you are using the Facebook app on a phone, the steps are the same but the menu icon location differs slightly. On iPhone, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. On Android, tap the three horizontal lines at the top right. From there, Settings and Privacy and Settings will appear.
If you still cannot locate the option, you can also go directly to facebook.com/help/delete_account on a web browser. This link takes you straight to the deletion page, where you can choose to deactivate or delete without navigating through menus.
What to do before you deactivate or delete
read your information first if you want to keep copies of your photos, posts, or messages. Go to Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and look for the option to read Your Information. Facebook will prepare a file containing your posts, photos, and other data that you can save to your computer.
Tell your friends and family that you are leaving, especially if they rely on Facebook to reach you. Share your phone number, email, or another way to contact you so people can stay in touch.
Check if you use Facebook to log into other accounts or apps. If you do, change those login methods before you delete your account. Go to each app or website, find the account settings, and switch to a different login method or create a new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?
You can reactivate during the 30-day waiting period by logging in. After 30 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Facebook does not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile is no longer visible, but Facebook does not send them a notification that you deleted it. They may notice you are gone if they try to visit your profile or message you.
What happens to photos I posted if I delete my account?
Facebook removes photos from their servers after 30 days. However, if someone else shared or downloaded your photos before you deleted, those copies remain with them. You cannot remove photos that others have saved.
Do I need to delete Instagram or WhatsApp if I delete Facebook?
No. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook profile does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp unless you used your Facebook login to create those accounts. If you did, you will need to change the login method on those apps before deleting Facebook.
How long does it take for my profile to disappear after deactivation?
Your profile disappears when ready after you deactivate. Your name no longer appears in search, and your friends cannot see your posts or send you messages right away.