Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate or delete
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your friends cannot see your posts. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in — Facebook keeps your data for 30 days, then deletes it if you do not return.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your account, photos, messages, and posts. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. If you think you might want to come back, deactivate first and see how you feel after a month.
Most people choose deletion because they want a clean break. Deactivation is useful if you are taking a break but might return, or if you want to test life without Facebook before committing to deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and is reversible; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- To delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy, select Settings, find Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Delete Account.
- Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password and may show you memories or friends to try to keep you on the platform.
- After you request deletion, your account stays visible for a few hours while the system processes the request.
- Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — this opens a menu with your account options.
Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, scroll down until you see Deactivation and Deletion. Click it. Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Delete Account.
Facebook will ask you to confirm your password. Type it in and click Continue. The next screen will show you reasons to stay — memories, friends, groups you manage. Ignore these and click Delete Account again. Facebook will ask one more time to confirm. Click Delete.
Your account is now scheduled for deletion. Facebook will process the request over the next 30 days. During this time, your profile will not be visible to other users, but the deletion is not yet final. If you log back in during these 30 days, the deletion will stop and your account will reactivate.
How to delete your account on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select Delete Account. Facebook will ask for your password — enter it and tap Continue. When the confirmation screen appears, tap Delete Account again, then Delete to finish.
The process is the same as on a computer: your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion over the next 30 days. Do not log in during this period if you want the deletion to go through.
What happens to your data and messages
Facebook deletes your photos, posts, comments, and profile information after the 30-day window closes. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes — deletion does not erase your side of conversations that other users have saved.
If you are part of a Facebook group you created, the group will remain but you will no longer be listed as the admin. If you are a member of groups, your membership ends and your posts in those groups become anonymous.
Pages you created will remain on Facebook but you will lose access to them. If you want to preserve control of a page, transfer admin rights to another person before you delete your account.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window
Log back into Facebook using your email and password before the 30 days are up. Your account will reactivate when ready and the deletion will be cancelled. All your photos, posts, and messages will return to normal.
After 30 days have passed, you cannot recover the account. Facebook will not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances, even if you contact them.
Deactivation as an alternative
If you are unsure about permanent deletion, deactivate your account instead. Click the same menu path — Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion — but choose Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account.
When you deactivate, your profile hides from search and your friends cannot see your posts or contact you through Messenger. Your account data stays on Facebook's servers. If you log back in anytime in the future, your account reactivates and everything returns to normal.
Deactivation is reversible forever — there is no 30-day window. You can reactivate after a week, a year, or five years. Use this option if you want to step away from Facebook but keep the door open to return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Facebook send me emails after I delete my account?
No. Once your account is deleted, Facebook will not send you notifications or emails. If you receive emails claiming to be from Facebook after deletion, they are not legitimate.
Can I read my photos and posts before deleting?
Yes. Before you delete, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, scroll to Your Facebook Information, and select read Your Information. Facebook will create a file of your photos, posts, and messages that you can save to your computer.
What if I have a Facebook business page?
Deleting your personal account does not delete your business page. You will lose access to manage it, but the page itself remains. Transfer admin rights to another person before you delete if you want someone else to run the page.
Does deleting my account remove me from tagged photos?
No. Photos other people posted and tagged you in will still show your name, even after your account is deleted. Only the person who posted the photo can remove the tag or delete the photo itself.
How long does deletion actually take?
Facebook processes deletion over 30 days. Your profile becomes invisible to others within a few hours, but the company keeps your data for the full 30 days in case you log back in. After 30 days, deletion is complete and permanent.