Facebook gives you two ways to stop using your account: deactivation, which pauses it temporarily, or deletion, which removes it permanently after 30 days

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and messages from other users when ready. Facebook keeps your data in case you change your mind and log back in within a certain period. Deletion is permanent — after 30 days, Facebook removes your account and most of the information tied to it, though some data tied to payments or legal holds may remain longer.

Most people choose deactivation first because it is reversible. You can reactivate by logging back in with your password. Deletion is the right choice if you want a clean break and do not plan to return.

Facebook does not charge a subscription fee to use the platform, so cancelling your account does not stop any recurring charges. If you have made purchases through Facebook — such as in-game items, ads, or marketplace transactions — those charges come from the payment method you added to your account, and cancelling your account does not automatically refund them or stop future charges from those merchants.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account when ready but keeps your data; you can reactivate by logging in again.
  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes your account and most associated data from Facebook's servers.
  • Facebook itself is free, but purchases made through the platform (ads, games, marketplace) may have separate charges you need to cancel separately.
  • You can deactivate or delete from Settings on desktop or mobile, and the process takes less than five minutes.
  • After deletion, some data tied to payments or legal obligations may remain on Facebook's servers beyond the 30-day window.

How to deactivate your account on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Choose Deactivate account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Select a reason for leaving (optional), then click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden from other users.

How to deactivate your account on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (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. Choose Deactivate account, enter your password, select a reason if you wish, and tap Deactivate. The process is the same on both iPhone and Android.

How to permanently delete your account

Follow the same steps as deactivation, but select Delete account instead of Deactivate account. Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and that you have 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, if you log back in, the deletion will stop and your account will be restored.

After 30 days, Facebook begins removing your account from its servers. Some information — such as messages you sent to others, payment records, or data held for legal reasons — may remain. Photos and posts you shared are generally removed, but copies may exist on other people's devices or in third-party backups.

What happens to your data after deletion

Facebook removes most of your personal information from its active systems within 30 days of deletion. Your profile, photos, posts, and friend list disappear. Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes, but your name may appear as "Facebook User" instead of your real name.

Payment information and transaction history tied to purchases or ads may remain on Facebook's servers for longer than 30 days to comply with tax and financial regulations. If you want to remove payment methods before deletion, go to Settings > Personal information > Payment methods and delete each one.

Cancelling separate charges tied to your Facebook account

If you have made purchases through Facebook — such as ads, in-game items, or marketplace transactions — those charges may come from a payment method you added to your account. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically cancel or refund those charges or stop future ones from the merchants involved.

Before you delete your account, check Settings > Personal information > Payment methods and remove any cards or payment methods you do not want to use. If you have active subscriptions or recurring charges through Facebook (such as a subscription to a creator's content), go to Settings > Apps and websites and remove access for apps that charge you.

If a merchant has charged you after you deleted your account, contact the merchant directly or dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company. Facebook will not process refunds for charges made by third parties.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in, you can still request deletion without logging in. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgotten password?, and follow the steps to reset your password using your email address or phone number.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number tied to your account, visit Facebook's Help Center and search for "account recovery". Facebook offers a form to verify your identity using other information, such as a government ID. This process can take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after deactivating it?

Yes. If you deactivate your account, you can log back in at any time to reactivate it. Your profile, photos, and friends list will return. There is no time limit on reactivation, though Facebook may delete your account if it remains inactive for a very long period (this varies by region).

What is the difference between deactivation and deletion?

Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate by logging in. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes your account and most data. During the 30-day window, you can still log in to stop the deletion.

Will deleting my Facebook account remove my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp unless you created those accounts using your Facebook login. If you did, you will need to set up a separate password for Instagram or WhatsApp before deleting Facebook.

Can I read my photos and messages before deleting my account?

Yes. Before you delete, go to Settings > Personal information > read your information. Facebook will create a file of your photos, posts, messages, and other data that you can read. This process can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have.

What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings after deletion?

Your listings will be removed from Marketplace. If you have active sales or pending transactions, buyers will not be able to contact you. Settle any open transactions before you delete your account, or contact buyers through another method to let them know you are leaving.