The difference between deactivating and deleting
Facebook and Instagram offer two separate paths, and they work very differently. Deactivating hides your profile temporarily — your name disappears from search, your posts vanish from the feed, and nobody can message you. But Facebook keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within 30 days, and after 30 days your account may still be recoverable. Deleting is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your photos, posts, messages, and account information from their servers. You cannot get it back.
Most people who want to "delete" Facebook actually want to deactivate — they are not sure they will stay gone. If you think you might return within a few months, deactivate first. If you are certain you are leaving and want your data removed, delete instead.
The 30-day window exists because Facebook processes deletion slowly. During those 30 days, if you log back in, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, deletion becomes irreversible.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivating hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers and lets you return anytime; deleting removes your account permanently after 30 days of no login.
- To deactivate Facebook or Instagram, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find Deactivation and Deletion in the left menu.
- To delete, choose the delete option instead of deactivate in that same menu, enter your password, and do not log in for 30 days.
- If you delete your Facebook account, your Instagram account is not automatically deleted — you must delete Instagram separately through its own settings.
- Messenger, photos you sent to others, and comments you left on other people's posts may remain visible even after deletion.
How to deactivate Facebook
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to the menu in the top right corner. On a phone, this is three horizontal lines. On a computer, it is a downward arrow. Tap or click it, then scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see Deactivation and Deletion. Click it. You will see two options: one to deactivate your account and one to delete it. Choose Deactivate. Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for leaving — this is optional, but answering helps Facebook understand why people leave. Then enter your password to confirm.
Your profile is now hidden. You can reactivate by logging in with your email and password anytime within 30 days. After 30 days, reactivation may no longer be possible, though Facebook sometimes allows it beyond that window.
How to deactivate Instagram
Open Instagram on a phone or computer and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the menu icon — three horizontal lines on a phone, or a gear icon on a computer. Scroll down and tap Help, then Help Center. Search for "deactivate account" and follow the link to the deactivation page, or go directly to instagram.com/accounts/remove/temporarily/ on a computer.
Instagram will ask you to choose a reason and enter your password. After you confirm, your profile disappears from search and your posts are hidden. Like Facebook, you can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days.
On a phone, the path is sometimes faster: go to your profile, tap the menu, scroll to Account, then tap Close Account and choose Temporarily Deactivate Account.
How to permanently delete Facebook
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion on the left side. This time, choose Delete instead of Deactivate. Facebook will explain that deletion is permanent and takes 30 days. Enter your password to confirm.
Your account is now scheduled for deletion. For the next 30 days, your profile is hidden and you cannot log in. If you log in even once during this period, the deletion cancels and your account returns to normal. If you do not log in for the full 30 days, Facebook permanently removes your account, photos, posts, and messages from their servers.
Some content may survive deletion. Comments you left on other people's posts, messages you sent to others, and photos other people uploaded of you will remain on their accounts. If you want those removed, you must contact those people directly and ask them to delete the posts or untag you.
How to permanently delete Instagram
Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon and scroll to Account. Tap Close Account and choose Permanently Delete Account. Instagram will ask you to enter your password and choose a reason. After you confirm, your account is scheduled for deletion.
Like Facebook, you have 30 days to change your mind. If you log in during this window, deletion stops. If you stay logged out for 30 days, Instagram permanently removes your account and all your posts.
On a computer, go to instagram.com/accounts/remove/permanently/ directly to reach the deletion page faster.
What happens to Facebook and Instagram when you delete one
Deleting your Facebook account does not delete your Instagram account. Facebook owns Instagram, but the two accounts are separate. You must delete Instagram through Instagram's own settings. If you delete Facebook but keep Instagram, your Instagram profile will no longer be linked to your Facebook account, but Instagram itself will remain active.
The same is true in reverse: deleting Instagram does not delete Facebook. If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, those connections will break when you delete Facebook, but the other apps will not be deleted — you will just lose that login method.
What data remains after deletion
Facebook and Instagram say they delete your account data within 30 days, but some information may persist. Messages you sent to others stay in their inboxes. Photos you posted that other people shared or saved remain on their devices. Comments you left on public posts stay visible, though they may show as "deleted user" instead of your name.
If you are concerned about privacy, consider going through your account before deletion and removing sensitive posts manually. You can also read a copy of your data before you delete — Facebook offers a tool called read Your Information in Settings, which lets you save your photos and posts as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account on my phone, or do I have to use a computer?
You can delete on either a phone or computer. The steps are slightly different — on a phone, you navigate through the menu and Account settings, while on a computer you use the left sidebar in Settings. Both paths lead to the same deletion option.
What if I forget my password and cannot delete my account?
Go to the Facebook or Instagram login page and click "Forgot Password?" or "Need Help Logging In?" Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can log in and proceed with deletion.
Will deleting Facebook delete my Messenger account too?
Messenger is tied to your Facebook account. When you delete Facebook, you lose access to Messenger, but the app may remain on your phone. Uninstall it manually if you want it completely removed. Messages you sent to others will still be visible to them.
How long does it actually take to delete my account?
Facebook and Instagram say 30 days, but the process may be faster. The 30-day window is the time you have to cancel deletion by logging back in. After 30 days without logging in, deletion is final, though the company may take additional time to fully remove data from all their servers.
Can someone else access my account after I delete it?
No. Once deletion is complete, your account no longer exists and cannot be accessed. During the 30-day waiting period, if someone knows your password, they could log in and cancel the deletion. To prevent this, change your password before you delete, or use a password you have never used before.