Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your Facebook account on your phone, the account enters a 30-day waiting period. During those 30 days, your profile, photos, and posts are hidden from everyone, but the account can still be recovered if you log back in. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently removes all your data.

This is different from deactivating, which temporarily hides your account but keeps it intact. Deletion is the option to choose if you do not plan to return.

The process itself takes less than five minutes on any phone — iPhone or Android — because Facebook makes the deletion option deliberately hard to find. You cannot delete from the main app menu. Instead, you navigate through Settings, then Account, then scroll to the bottom of a long list.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion hides your account when ready but takes 30 days to become permanent, during which you can undo it by logging in.
  • You must use the Facebook app or website to delete — the option does not exist in Instagram or Messenger, even if you use the same login.
  • Before you delete, read your photos and messages if you want to keep them, because they will be gone after 30 days.
  • If you only want to hide your account temporarily without losing it, deactivation is faster and does not require a waiting period.

How to delete on iPhone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. This opens the menu.

Scroll down past all the main options — Friends, Events, Marketplace — until you reach the very bottom. Tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

In Settings, scroll down again. You will see Account, Personal Information, Notifications, and other sections. Tap Account.

At the bottom of the Account section, you will see Deactivation and Deletion. Tap it. Choose Delete Account (not Deactivate Account). Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask a security question. Enter your information and tap Delete Account again.

How to delete on Android

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner.

Scroll to the bottom and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.

Scroll down to Account and tap it. At the bottom, tap Deactivation and Deletion.

Select Delete Account and confirm your password. Tap Delete Account to finish. The process is identical to iPhone — the only difference is the Android system itself, not the Facebook app.

What to save before you delete

Once the 30-day period ends, everything is gone. If you want to keep your photos, messages, or any other data, read them before you delete.

To read your information, go back to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find Your Information and Permissions. Tap read Your Information. Facebook will prepare a file of your photos, posts, and messages — this can take a few hours or a few days depending on how much you have. You will receive a notification when it is ready, and you can read it to your phone or computer.

Do this before you delete your account, because once deletion is complete, you cannot retrieve this data.

The 30-day waiting period and how to undo deletion

After you tap Delete Account, your profile disappears from Facebook when ready. Your friends cannot see your page, your posts are hidden, and your name no longer appears in search. But your account still exists in Facebook's system.

If you change your mind during the 30 days, straightforward log back into Facebook using your email and password. Your account will be restored completely, and the deletion will be cancelled. You can do this as many times as you want during the waiting period.

After 30 days have passed without you logging in, Facebook permanently deletes everything. At that point, you cannot recover the account, your photos, your messages, or any other data.

Deactivation as an alternative

If you are not sure whether you want to delete permanently, deactivation is a safer choice. When you deactivate, your profile hides when ready and stays hidden indefinitely — but your account is not deleted, and you can reactivate it anytime by logging in.

To deactivate instead of delete, follow the same steps above but choose Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account. There is no waiting period. Your profile disappears right away, and you can turn it back on whenever you want, even years later.

The trade-off is that Facebook keeps your data in case you return. If you are certain you will not use Facebook again, deletion is the better choice.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

When your account is deleted, your messages to other people remain in their inboxes, but your name will show as a deleted account. They can still read what you wrote, but they cannot click your name to visit your profile.

Photos that other people tagged you in will stay on their profiles and in their albums. Deletion only removes the photos you posted yourself. If you want those tagged photos removed, you need to ask the person who posted them to untag you or delete the photo before you delete your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account without using the app?

Yes. Go to facebook.com on your phone's web browser, log in, and follow the same path: tap the menu icon, Settings & Privacy, Settings, Account, then Deactivation and Deletion. The steps are identical to the app. Some people find the browser version easier because the screen is larger.

Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?

No. Instagram and Facebook are owned by the same company, but they are separate accounts. Deleting Facebook does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram, you must do that separately through the Instagram app using the same process.

What if I forget my password before I delete?

You can still delete without remembering it. When you reach the confirmation screen, tap "Forgot Password?" and Facebook will send a reset link to your email. Reset your password, then return to the deletion screen and complete the process.

Can someone else delete my account if they have my password?

Yes, which is why a strong, unique password matters. If you suspect someone has access to your account, change your password when ready before deleting. Go to Settings & Privacy, Settings, Security and Login, and tap Change Password.

Does deleting my account remove me from Facebook groups?

Yes. Once your account is deleted, you are removed from all groups, events, and pages you joined. During the 30-day waiting period, you are still listed as a member, but after permanent deletion, all those connections are severed.