Facebook gives you two options: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and photos from other people, but Facebook keeps your data. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in. Deletion removes your account and most of your information after 30 days — after that period, recovery is not possible.

Most people choose deactivation if they want to step away but might return. Choose deletion if you want Facebook to remove your account entirely and you do not plan to come back.

Both options take just a few clicks from your phone or computer. Neither one charges you money.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; deletion removes it permanently after 30 days.
  • You can deactivate from Settings on your phone or computer, and reactivate anytime by logging in.
  • Deletion requires you to confirm your choice and wait 30 days before the account is fully removed.
  • Facebook will not delete messages you sent to other people — those stay in their inboxes.
  • You can read your photos, posts, and other data before you close your account.

How to deactivate your Facebook account

On your phone or computer, go to Settings, then scroll down to find "Deactivation and Deletion." Click or tap "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask you to choose a reason and enter your password to confirm. You can also choose whether to receive email notifications while your account is deactivated.

Once you deactivate, your profile disappears from search results and your friends' friend lists. Your name no longer appears on posts or comments you made before. Messages you sent stay in other people's inboxes, but they cannot click your name to see your profile.

You can reactivate your account anytime by logging in with your email and password. Your profile, photos, and friends list return exactly as they were.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

Go to Settings, scroll to "Deactivation and Deletion," and choose "Delete Account" instead of Deactivate. Facebook will ask you to enter your password and confirm your choice. You will see a message saying your account will be deleted, but you have 30 days to change your mind.

During those 30 days, your account is not visible to anyone, but you can still log in and cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass, Facebook begins removing your information from its servers. Some data — like messages you sent to others — may stay longer because those people have copies.

After deletion is complete, you cannot reactivate the account. If you want to use Facebook again, you will need to create a new account with a new email address.

read your information before you close your account

Before you deactivate or delete, you can save copies of your photos, posts, videos, and other data. Go to Settings, find "Your Information," and click "read Your Information." Choose the date range and file format you want, then click "Request a read."

Facebook will prepare a file with everything you selected. You will receive a notification when it is ready, usually within a few hours. read the file to your computer and save it somewhere safe. This copy stays on your device even after your account is gone.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

When you deactivate or delete your account, messages you sent to other people do not disappear from their inboxes. They can still read what you wrote and reply to you, but your name will show as a deactivated or deleted account instead of a clickable profile.

Photos that other people tagged you in stay on their profiles and in their albums. You will not be able to remove those tags after your account is closed. If you want to remove tags before you close your account, ask the person who posted the photo to untag you, or report the photo to Facebook.

Reactivating after deactivation

If you deactivated your account and want to come back, log in with your email and password on Facebook's login page. Your profile, friends, photos, and messages will all return. Facebook does not ask you to confirm or re-enter information — logging in automatically reactivates your account.

You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can turn your account on and off.

What to do if you cannot find the deactivation option

If you are using the Facebook app on your phone, the deactivation and deletion options may be in a different location depending on your phone type. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and look for "Deactivation and Deletion." On Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find the same option.

If you still cannot find it, try using Facebook on a web browser instead of the app. The web version usually has clearer navigation. You can also contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center if you get stuck, though they cannot delete your account for you — you have to do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account on my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three lines), go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, scroll down to "Deactivation and Deletion," and follow the steps. The process is the same on iPhone and Android.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger after I close my account?

Messenger stays active even after you deactivate or delete your account. You can still send and receive messages. If you want to close Messenger too, you have to delete it separately from your phone's app store or go to Messenger Settings and look for account options there.

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

No. Facebook does not automatically delete inactive accounts. Your account will stay open until you manually deactivate or delete it, even if you have not logged in for years.

Can I recover my account after the 30-day deletion period ends?

No. After 30 days, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you change your mind during the 30-day window, log in and cancel the deletion request before the time runs out.

Do I need to delete Instagram and WhatsApp too if I delete Facebook?

No. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You have to close those accounts separately if you want to.