Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from other users but not yet erased from Facebook's servers. After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes your photos, posts, messages, and account information. You cannot undo this after the 30-day window closes.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account can be reactivated anytime by logging back in — your data stays on Facebook's servers and your account can be restored. Deletion removes the account entirely. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not want to return.
Facebook does not charge a subscription fee, so there is no recurring charge to stop. However, if you have linked your Facebook account to other services — like Instagram, Oculus, or third-party apps — those connections will break when you delete Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to complete and cannot be undone after that period; deactivation is reversible but deletion is not.
- You delete Facebook through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion — not through a support form or email.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden but your data still exists; you can cancel the deletion by logging in again.
- Any apps or services connected to your Facebook account will lose access once deletion is final, so check your linked accounts first.
- Facebook keeps some data even after deletion, including information required by law and data already shared with other companies.
Steps to delete your account on desktop
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. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, scroll down and click Deactivation and 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 solve a CAPTCHA (a puzzle that proves you are human).
Read the information Facebook displays about what happens when you delete. Click Delete Account again to confirm. Your account will enter the 30-day deletion window. During this time, do not log back in — logging in will cancel the deletion and reactivate your account.
Steps to delete your account on mobile
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 Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select Delete Account. Enter your password when prompted and complete any security checks Facebook requires. Tap Delete Account to confirm.
Your account will be scheduled for deletion. Avoid logging in for the next 30 days. If you log in during this period, the deletion will be cancelled and your account will return to normal.
What happens to your data during and after deletion
During the 30-day waiting period, your profile will not appear in search results and other users cannot see your posts, photos, or messages. However, Facebook keeps your data on its servers in case you change your mind. Messages you sent to other people may still appear in their inboxes, but they will show as sent by a deleted account.
After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes most of your account information. However, Facebook retains some data for legal reasons, including information needed to comply with tax laws or court orders. Facebook also keeps data it has already shared with other companies — for example, if you logged into a game using Facebook, that game may still have your name and profile picture.
Backups of your data may exist on Facebook's servers for several additional months before being fully purged. You cannot retrieve this data yourself once deletion is complete.
Disconnect linked apps and services before deleting
Before you delete your Facebook account, check what apps and services are connected to it. If you use Facebook to log into Instagram, Oculus, Messenger, or third-party games and apps, those connections will break. Some services may become unusable or require you to create a new login.
To see what is connected, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Apps and Websites. Review the list and remove any apps you want to keep using. For services like Instagram or Oculus that are owned by Meta (the parent company of Facebook), you will need to set up a separate login before deleting Facebook.
If you use Facebook Messenger to contact people, note that Messenger will also be deleted. read your message history if you need it — go to Settings, then read Your Information, and select Messenger to save a copy of your conversations.
read your information before deletion
Facebook allows you to read a copy of your photos, posts, and other data before you delete. This is optional but useful if you want to keep a record of your account. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll down to read Your Information.
Click read Your Information and select the date range and types of data you want to save. Facebook will prepare a file (usually a ZIP file) containing your data. The file may take several hours or days to generate, depending on how much data you have. Facebook will notify you when it is ready to read.
Save this file to your computer or cloud storage. Once your account is deleted, you cannot retrieve this data from Facebook, so this is your only chance to keep a copy.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not ready to permanently delete your account, deactivation is a reversible option. A deactivated account is hidden from other users — your profile will not appear in searches, and people cannot see your posts or send you messages. However, your data remains on Facebook's servers and can be restored anytime by logging back in.
To deactivate instead of delete, follow the same steps to reach Deactivation and Deletion in Settings, but select Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account. Choose a reason for deactivating (optional) and set a password if you want to add extra security. Click Deactivate.
Your account will be deactivated when ready. You can reactivate it at any time by logging in with your email and password. Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Facebook but may want to return later.
What to do if you cannot find the delete option
If the delete option does not appear in your Deactivation and Deletion settings, your account may have restrictions. Some accounts cannot be deleted if they are linked to a business page, if they have an active payment method, or if they are involved in a dispute with Facebook.
If you have a business page, you must transfer ownership or delete the page before you can delete your personal account. If you have an active payment method (for ads or in-game purchases), remove it from your account first. Go to Settings, then Payments, and remove any saved payment methods.
If you still cannot delete your account, contact Facebook through their Help Center. Go to facebook.com/help and search for "delete account" to find support options. Facebook may require additional verification before allowing deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel the deletion after I request it?
Yes, but only during the 30-day waiting period. straightforward log back into your account using your email and password, and the deletion will be cancelled. Your account will return to normal and all your data will be restored. After 30 days, cancellation is no longer possible.
Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?
No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts, even though they are owned by the same company. Deleting Facebook will not affect Instagram unless you specifically linked them. However, if you use your Facebook login to access Instagram, you will need to set up a separate Instagram password before deleting Facebook.
What happens to messages I sent to other people?
Messages you sent will remain in other people's inboxes, but they will show as sent by a deleted account instead of your name. The other person can still read and reply to the message, but they will not be able to click on your profile or see your information.
Can I delete just my data without deleting my account?
No. You can read a copy of your data and then delete your account, but Facebook does not offer an option to keep your account while removing all your data. If you want to keep your account but hide your activity, deactivation is a better option.
How long does it take for Facebook to completely remove my data?
The 30-day waiting period is when your account is hidden but data still exists. After 30 days, Facebook begins permanently removing your information, though backups may persist on their servers for several additional months. You cannot access or retrieve this data once deletion is complete.