Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your Facebook profile, the account and everything attached to it — posts, photos, messages, friends list — is scheduled for removal. Facebook does not remove it when ready. Instead, the deletion process takes 30 days. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently deletes the account and you cannot recover it.

This is different from deactivating your account, which temporarily hides your profile but keeps all your data on Facebook's servers. Deactivation is reversible at any time. Deletion is not.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion takes 30 days from the moment you request it, and you can cancel during that window by logging in again.
  • You must have access to the email address or phone number tied to your account to start the deletion process.
  • Facebook will not delete messages you sent to other people — those remain in their inboxes unless they delete them themselves.
  • Some information like your name may stay visible in other people's friend lists or message threads for a short time after deletion completes.

How to request deletion on a computer

Go to facebook.com and log in if you are not already logged in. Click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. A menu will drop down. Scroll to the bottom and click Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the screen, click Personal information. You will see a section labeled Account ownership and control. Click Deactivation or deletion. Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Click Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to enter a security code sent to your email or phone. Complete these steps, and your deletion request is submitted. The 30-day countdown begins.

How to request deletion on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap Account ownership and control. Tap Deactivation or deletion. Choose Delete account and follow the prompts to confirm your password and any security codes.

If you do not have the Facebook app, you can open facebook.com in your phone's web browser and follow the same steps as the computer version above.

What happens to your data during the 30-day wait

During the 30 days after you request deletion, your profile is not visible to other people. Your friends cannot see your posts, photos, or profile page. Your name will not appear in search results. However, Facebook still has your data on its servers during this time.

If you change your mind and log back in during the 30 days, the deletion request is cancelled and your account returns to normal. Your posts, photos, and friends list will all be visible again exactly as they were.

Messages you sent to other people are not deleted. Those messages stay in their inboxes. Only messages sent to you are removed from your inbox. If someone else has a copy of a conversation with you — either in their messages or because they took a screenshot — that copy remains with them.

After the 30 days: what you cannot recover

Once the 30 days end, Facebook permanently removes your account. You cannot log back in. You cannot retrieve your photos, posts, or messages. You cannot reactivate the account under the same email address or phone number for at least a few months — Facebook's exact timeline varies.

If you want to save your photos or posts before deletion, you can read a copy of your information. Before you request deletion, go to Settings, click Personal information, then Account ownership and control, then read your information. Facebook will prepare a file containing your posts, photos, and other data. This can take a few hours or a few days depending on how much data you have. Once it is ready, you can read it to your computer.

If you cannot access your email or phone number

If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number tied to your Facebook account, you cannot request deletion through the normal steps. Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using one of these methods before allowing deletion.

Try logging in with any email address or phone number you have used with the account in the past. If that does not work, go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps to recover your account. You may need to answer security questions or identify photos of your friends. Once you regain access, you can request deletion normally.

If you cannot recover access and cannot request deletion, you can report the account to Facebook as compromised or ask them to review it. Go to facebook.com/help and search for "report hacked account" or "report account". This process is slower and less direct than requesting deletion yourself, but it is an option if you have lost access entirely.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you are not sure whether you want to delete permanently, deactivation is a middle ground. When you deactivate, your profile disappears from Facebook. Your friends cannot see your posts or send you messages. Your name does not appear in search results. However, Facebook keeps all your data.

You can reactivate a deactivated account at any time by logging back in — even years later. Your posts, photos, and friends list will return exactly as they were. To deactivate instead of delete, follow the same steps above but choose Deactivate account instead of Delete account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my deletion request after I have submitted it?

Yes. During the 30-day waiting period, log back into your account. Your profile will return to normal and the deletion request will be cancelled. You must log in before the 30 days end. After 30 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

Will my messages disappear from my friends' inboxes?

No. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after your account is deleted. Only messages sent to you are removed from your inbox. If your friends want to keep a record of your conversations, they can take screenshots or read their own data before your account is deleted.

Can I use the same email address to create a new Facebook account after deletion?

Not when ready. After you delete an account, Facebook prevents that email address from being used to create a new account for a period of time. This window varies, but it is typically a few months. You can try creating a new account with the same email after waiting.

What if I only want to hide my profile, not delete it?

Deactivate your account instead. Deactivation hides your profile from everyone and stops notifications, but keeps all your data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate at any time by logging in. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone after 30 days.

Does deleting Facebook delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram or WhatsApp accounts. You must delete those separately if you want to remove them.