You can block Facebook in two ways: restrict what the app does on your device, or delete your account entirely
Blocking Facebook means either preventing the app from running on your phone or computer, or removing your account from Facebook's servers so no one can find you there. The first option — blocking the app — keeps your account alive but stops Facebook from tracking you and sending notifications. The second option — deleting your account — removes you from the platform permanently after 30 days. Which one you choose depends on whether you want to step back temporarily or leave for good.
Most people who want to "block Facebook" actually want one of three things: to stop the app from using their data and battery, to prevent specific people from contacting them, or to remove their presence from the platform entirely. This guide covers all three, because the steps are different and the outcomes matter.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking the Facebook app on your phone or computer stops notifications and data collection without deleting your account, and you can reverse it anytime.
- Deleting your Facebook account takes 30 days to complete, during which your profile is hidden but your data is still stored; after 30 days it is permanently removed.
- If you want to block a specific person from contacting you, use Facebook's block feature in settings rather than deleting your account.
- Uninstalling the app is not the same as blocking it — the app can still run in the background and collect data unless you disable it in your phone's settings.
- Before you delete your account, read your photos and messages if you want to keep them, because deletion is permanent.
How to block the Facebook app on your phone
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Screen Time, then App Limits. Tap Add Limit, select Facebook, set the time to zero minutes, and confirm. This prevents the app from opening once the limit is reached each day. The app will ask for permission to override the limit, but you can decline. This method keeps your account active — people can still message you and see your profile — but the app will not run on your device.
On Android, the process depends on your phone's manufacturer. Go to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager), find Facebook, and tap Disable or Force Stop. If Disable is not available, tap Storage, then Clear Cache and Clear Data. This removes the app's ability to run and stops it from collecting data in the background. You can reverse this by going back to the same menu and tapping Enable.
A simpler option on either phone is to uninstall the app entirely. Go to your home screen, press and hold the Facebook icon, and select Uninstall. This removes the app from your device but does not affect your account. You can reinstall it later if you change your mind. Many people find this sufficient because they no longer get notifications or see the app taking up storage space.
How to block the Facebook app on your computer
On Windows, you can uninstall Facebook the same way you uninstall any other program. Go to Settings, then Apps, find Facebook, and click Uninstall. If you use Facebook through a web browser instead of an app, you can block it by changing your browser settings. In Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Cookies and Site Data. Add facebook.com to the blocked list. This prevents Facebook from loading when you visit the site.
A more aggressive option is to use a browser extension that blocks Facebook entirely. Extensions like News Feed Eradicator or LeechBlock NG let you set times when Facebook is inaccessible, or block it permanently. You install the extension from your browser's app store, configure it once, and it runs automatically. This is useful if you want to prevent yourself from visiting Facebook during work hours or late at night.
If you use Facebook Messenger separately, blocking the main Facebook app or website will not stop Messenger from working. To block Messenger, uninstall it as a separate app or use the same browser-blocking method on messenger.com.
How to delete your Facebook account permanently
Go to facebook.com on any device, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, scroll down, and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account, then click Continue. Facebook will ask you to enter your password and solve a security check. After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day grace period.
During these 30 days, your profile is hidden from other users and you cannot log in, but Facebook still stores your data. If you log back in during this window, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes your photos, messages, posts, and all other data associated with your account. Some information — like messages you sent to other people — may remain in their inboxes.
Before you delete your account, read your data if you want to keep copies of your photos or messages. On the same Settings page, click Your Information, then read Your Information. Select the date range and data types you want, then click Request read. Facebook will prepare a file and email you a link to read it. This process can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have.
How to block a specific person instead of the whole platform
If you want to stay on Facebook but prevent one person from contacting you or seeing your profile, use Facebook's block feature instead of deleting your account. Go to that person's profile, click the three dots in the top right, and select Block. This person will not be able to see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search results. They will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they will notice they cannot find your profile.
You can also block someone from a message thread. Open the conversation, click the person's name at the top, scroll down, and select Block. If you want to block someone without visiting their profile, go to Settings, then Blocking, and type their name or phone number. You can block up to a few thousand people this way, though Facebook does not publish an exact limit.
Blocking is temporary and reversible. You can unblock someone anytime by going to Settings, then Blocking, finding their name, and clicking Unblock. The person will not be notified when you unblock them.
What happens to your data when you block Facebook
If you only block the app on your phone or computer, your account remains active and Facebook continues to collect data about you through other means — your web browser, other apps that use Facebook login, and websites that have Facebook tracking pixels. Your friends can still see your profile and message you. Blocking the app is useful for reducing notifications and battery drain, but it does not stop Facebook from knowing who you are.
If you delete your account, Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from its servers after 30 days. However, information you shared with other people — comments on their posts, photos they took of you — may remain. Facebook also keeps some data for legal and security reasons, though it is not tied to your account anymore. Deletion is the only way to fully remove yourself from the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does blocking the Facebook app stop Facebook from tracking me?
Blocking the app on your phone stops the app itself from running, but Facebook can still track you through websites you visit and other apps that use Facebook's login system. To stop Facebook tracking entirely, you would need to delete your account and avoid using Facebook login on other services.
Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?
Yes, but only during the 30-day grace period. If you log back in within 30 days of requesting deletion, your account is restored and deletion is cancelled. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and you cannot recover your account.
Will people know I deleted my account?
Your profile will disappear from their view, so they will notice you are gone. They will not receive a notification that you deleted your account, but they will see that your profile no longer exists when they try to visit it.
What if I only want to hide my profile temporarily?
Use deactivation instead of deletion. Go to Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Deactivate Account. Your profile is hidden but your account is not deleted, and you can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Deactivation is reversible with no time limit.
Can I block Facebook on my child's phone?
Yes. On iPhone, use Screen Time to set app limits for Facebook. On Android, disable the app in Settings or use parental control apps like Google Family Link. You can also remove the Facebook app entirely and prevent it from being reinstalled by setting up device restrictions in your phone's settings.