What happens when you temporarily deactivate Facebook
When you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile, photos, and posts disappear from the platform when ready. Friends cannot message you, tag you, or see your activity. However, Facebook keeps all your data on its servers — your messages, photos, friend list, and settings remain stored and recoverable.
Deactivation is different from permanent deletion. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in with your email and password, and everything returns exactly as it was. If you do not log back in within 30 days, Facebook begins the process of permanently deleting your account, though that process can take up to 90 days to complete.
This matters because deactivation lets you step away without losing the option to return. It is useful if you want a break from social media, need to focus on something else, or want to see whether you miss the platform before making a permanent choice.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivating your account hides your profile and activity from other users but keeps all your data stored on Facebook's servers.
- You can reactivate your account anytime by logging in again, and your profile will return unchanged.
- The deactivation process takes effect when ready, but you have 30 days before Facebook begins permanently deleting your account.
- Facebook will continue to show your name in other users' friend lists and message histories during deactivation, though they cannot interact with your profile.
How to deactivate 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 screen, next to your profile picture. From the dropdown menu, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the page, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". Select Deactivate account and click Continue. Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for leaving — this is optional, but the platform uses this information to understand why people step away.
You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the action. Type it in and click Deactivate. Your account is now deactivated, and you will be logged out when ready. Your profile is no longer visible to other users.
How to deactivate 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. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Deactivation and deletion and tap it.
Tap Deactivate account and then Continue. Facebook will ask for a reason — you can skip this or choose one from the list. Enter your password when prompted and tap Deactivate. You will be logged out, and your account is now deactivated.
If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the same steps as the computer version above.
What you should know before deactivating
Your friends will not receive a notification that you deactivated your account, but they may notice your profile is gone. Your name will still appear in their friend lists and in old message threads, but they cannot click on your profile or send you new messages. Comments you left on public pages or in groups may still be visible, though they will not be linked to your profile.
If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites — such as Spotify, Pinterest, or gaming platforms — those connections will stop working while your account is deactivated. You will need to create separate passwords for those services or use a different login method when you return.
Messages you received will still exist in your inbox when you reactivate, but messages you sent to others will remain in their inboxes. You cannot delete messages from other people's accounts, even after deactivation.
How to reactivate your account
To bring your account back, straightforward log into Facebook using your email address and password on any device. You can do this through the website or the app. Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to reactivate, and your profile will return to normal within a few minutes.
All your photos, posts, friends, and settings will be exactly as you left them. There is no limit to how many times you can deactivate and reactivate — you can do this as often as you need.
The difference between deactivation and deletion
Deactivation is temporary and reversible. Deletion is permanent. If you choose to permanently delete your account instead of deactivating it, Facebook will begin removing all your data after 30 days of inactivity. After 90 days, your account and all associated data will be gone from Facebook's servers, and you cannot recover it.
Choose deactivation if you might want to return. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not use Facebook again and want your data removed from the platform entirely. If you are unsure, deactivate first — you can always delete later if you decide you do not want to come back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my friends know I deactivated my account?
Facebook does not send a notification, but your friends will notice your profile is gone when they try to visit it or search for you. Your name stays in their friend list and message history, but they cannot interact with your profile or send you new messages.
Can I deactivate my account temporarily and come back later?
Yes. You can reactivate anytime by logging in with your email and password. Your profile, photos, and friends list will return unchanged. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want.
What happens to my messages when I deactivate?
Messages you received stay in your inbox and will be there when you reactivate. Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes. You cannot delete messages from other people's accounts, even after deactivation.
If I deactivate, will I lose access to apps that use my Facebook login?
Yes. Apps and websites that let you log in with Facebook will not work while your account is deactivated. When you reactivate, those connections will work again. If you need to use those apps during deactivation, you will need to create separate passwords or use a different login method.
How long do I have before my account is permanently deleted?
You have 30 days from deactivation before Facebook begins the permanent deletion process. If you log back in during those 30 days, your account will reactivate and deletion will not happen. After 30 days of no login, deletion takes another 60 days to complete.