Facebook gives you two options: deactivate or delete
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your posts vanish from the feed, and no one can message you. Facebook keeps your data in case you change your mind — you can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your account, posts, photos, and messages from their servers. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. Choose deletion if you want a clean break; choose deactivation if you might return.
Both options take the same steps to start. The difference is which button you click at the end. Understanding the distinction matters because reactivating a deactivated account is straightforward, but reversing a deletion has a hard important date.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data — you can return within 30 days by logging in again.
- Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- You access both options through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion.
- Facebook may take up to 90 days to fully remove all copies of your photos and posts from backup servers.
- Before you delete, read your photos and posts if you want to keep them.
How to deactivate your account
Open Facebook on your computer and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options. Click Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask you to choose a reason (optional) and enter your password to confirm. Click Deactivate to finish.
Your profile is now hidden. You can reactivate it anytime within 30 days by logging in with your email and password. After 30 days, if you have not logged back in, Facebook will delete your account automatically. This makes deactivation useful if you want to step away but are not certain about a permanent break.
How to permanently delete your account
Open Facebook on your computer and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. This time, click Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password and solve a security check. Click Delete to confirm.
Your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins removing your data from their active servers. Backup copies may take up to 90 days to delete completely. Once the 30-day window closes, you cannot undo the deletion.
Save your photos and posts before you delete
Once your account is gone, you cannot recover your photos, videos, or posts from Facebook. If you want to keep them, read them first. This step is important if you have years of photos or documents stored on your account.
Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left, click Your Information and Permissions, then read Your Information. Choose the date range and content type (photos, posts, videos, etc.), then click Request a read. Facebook will email you a file within a few days. read it to your computer and save it somewhere safe before you delete your account.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
When you delete your account, your sent messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they will show as sent by a deleted account. Your received messages disappear from your inbox. If someone else posted a photo of you and tagged you, that photo stays on their account — deleting yours does not remove tags from other people's posts.
If you want those tags removed, contact the person who posted the photo and ask them to untag you or delete the post. You can do this before or after you delete your account. This is worth doing if you are concerned about how you appear in other people's photos.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window
You have 30 days to cancel a deletion. straightforward log into Facebook with your email and password. Your account will reactivate, and all your data returns. After 30 days, cancellation is no longer possible.
If you deactivated instead of deleting, you can reactivate anytime by logging in — there is no time limit for reactivation. This flexibility is why some people choose deactivation first to see how they feel about being off the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my email to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. Once your account is fully deleted, your email address is free to use. If you want to prevent this, change your email address in Settings before you delete, or use an email address you no longer check.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect the others. You would need to delete each one separately if you want to remove all three.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Click "Forgot Password" on the Facebook login page. Facebook will send a reset link to your email. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with deactivation or deletion.
Does Facebook delete my account if I just stop using it?
No. Inactive accounts stay on Facebook indefinitely unless you manually deactivate or delete them. Inactivity alone does not trigger deletion.
Can I delete my account on my phone instead of a computer?
Yes. The steps are the same on the Facebook mobile app. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and choose your option.