You can delete a Facebook group in two ways, depending on whether you are the owner or just a member

If you own the group, you can delete it permanently through the group settings. If you are a member but not the owner, you can only leave the group — you cannot delete it. Facebook does not restore deleted groups, so make sure you want to remove it before you start. The process takes a few minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile.

Deleting a group removes all posts, photos, files, and member records. If you think you might want the group back later, consider making it private or inactive instead. You can always reactivate a private group, but a deleted group is gone permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • Only the group owner can delete a group; members can only leave it.
  • Deleting a group removes all posts, photos, and member information permanently with no way to restore it.
  • The delete option is in the group settings under "Edit Group Settings" on desktop or the three-dot menu on mobile.
  • You can make a group private or inactive instead of deleting it if you might want to use it again later.
  • Facebook may take a few days to fully remove the group from search results and member profiles after deletion.

How to delete a group on desktop

Open the group and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the group header. Select "Edit Group Settings" from the dropdown menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the settings page until you see the "Delete Group" button. Click it and confirm that you want to delete the group by clicking "Delete" in the popup window.

Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice one more time. Once you click the final confirmation, the group is deleted when ready. You will no longer see it in your groups list, and members will receive a notification that the group has been deleted.

How to delete a group on mobile

Open the group and tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Edit Group Settings." Continue scrolling until you reach the bottom of the settings page and tap "Delete Group." Confirm your choice by tapping "Delete" in the popup.

The mobile process is identical to desktop — the group is removed when ready after your final confirmation. All members will be notified that the group no longer exists.

What happens to members when you delete a group

Members receive a notification that the group has been deleted, but they do not receive a message explaining why. They will no longer see the group in their groups list, and any posts they made to the group will be removed from their own timelines. If members saved photos or files from the group, those files remain on their devices, but the links back to the group will no longer work.

Members cannot rejoin a deleted group. If you want to create a similar group later, you will need to start fresh with a new group and invite members again.

Alternatives to deleting a group if you might use it again

If you are unsure whether you want to delete the group permanently, you have two other options. You can make the group private, which hides it from search results and prevents new members from joining without an invitation. You can also make the group inactive by removing all members except yourself, which keeps the group in existence but stops activity.

To make a group private, go to "Edit Group Settings" and change the privacy setting from "Public" to "Private." To remove members, go to the group, click the members list, and click the X next to each member's name. These changes take effect when ready and can be reversed at any time.

If you are not the group owner and want to leave

If you are a member of a group but not the owner, you cannot delete it. You can only leave the group. Open the group, click the three-dot menu, and select "Leave Group." Confirm your choice, and you will be removed from the group when ready.

If you want the group deleted and you are not the owner, you can contact the group owner and ask them to delete it. If the owner is inactive or unresponsive, you can report the group to Facebook if it violates Facebook's community standards, but Facebook will not delete a group straightforward because a member requests it.

What to do before you delete a group

Before you delete a group, save any important posts, photos, or files you want to keep. You can take screenshots of posts, read photos individually, or copy text into a document. Facebook does not provide a bulk read option for group content, so this process takes time if the group has many posts.

Let members know the group is closing if it is active. Send a message to the group or contact members directly to give them time to save their own content. If the group serves a purpose for your community or business, consider whether you want to export the member list before deletion — once the group is gone, you cannot retrieve member email addresses or names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore a Facebook group after I delete it?

No. Facebook does not restore deleted groups. Once you confirm the deletion, the group is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. If you need the group again, you will have to create a new one from scratch.

Will members be able to see the group after it is deleted?

No. The group will disappear from all members' groups lists when ready. They will receive a notification that the group was deleted, but they cannot view it or rejoin it. Any posts they made to the group will also be removed from their timelines.

What if I delete a group by accident?

Unfortunately, there is no undo option. If you delete a group by accident, you will need to create a new group and reinvite members. This is why it is a good idea to save important content before deleting.

Can I transfer ownership of a group instead of deleting it?

Yes. Go to "Edit Group Settings," scroll to "Group Admins," and click the X next to your name to remove yourself as admin. Promote another member to admin first so the group still has an owner. This keeps the group active under new leadership.

How long does it take for a deleted group to disappear from search results?

Facebook usually removes deleted groups from search results within a few days, but it can take up to a week. During this time, people searching for the group name may still see it in results, but they will not be able to open it or join it.