The difference between deactivating and deleting your Facebook account
Facebook offers two separate paths, and they lead to different outcomes. Deactivating your account hides your profile, posts, and photos from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data on its servers. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within a few months. Deleting your account is permanent — after 30 days, Facebook removes your information from its systems, and you cannot get it back.
Most people choose deactivation first because it is reversible. If you think you might return to Facebook later, deactivation lets you step away without losing the option. Deletion is the right choice only if you are certain you will not want your account again.
The 30-day waiting period exists because Facebook wants to make sure you are not acting in anger or panic. During those 30 days, if you log back in, the deletion stops and your account stays active. After 30 days pass without you logging in, the deletion becomes final.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; deletion removes your data permanently after 30 days of waiting.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find Deactivation and Deletion in the left menu.
- To delete, use the same path but choose Delete Account instead, then wait 30 days without logging in for the deletion to finalize.
- Facebook will not remove your messages from people you messaged — those stay in their inboxes even after your account is gone.
- If you share photos or posts in groups or on other people's pages, those may remain visible even after deletion.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop). Tap or click Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On mobile, scroll down until you see Accounts Center. On desktop, look in the left menu for Deactivation and Deletion.
Click or tap Deactivation and Deletion. Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask you why you are leaving — you can pick a reason or skip this. You will also see a checkbox asking if you want to hide your account from search engines; most people leave this checked.
Enter your password to confirm, then click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden. Your friends cannot see your profile or posts, and your name will not appear in search results. You can reactivate anytime by logging in with your email and password.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
The deletion process starts the same way: Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion. This time, choose Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and that you have 30 days to change your mind.
Enter your password and click Delete. Your account enters a 30-day waiting period. During this time, your profile is hidden from other people, but Facebook is not yet erasing your data. If you log in during these 30 days, the deletion cancels and your account returns to normal.
After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins removing your information from its servers. This process can take several weeks to complete. Once it is done, your account cannot be recovered, and you cannot create a new account with the same email address for a short time afterward.
What happens to your messages, photos, and posts
Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Deletion does not erase your side of a conversation from someone else's account. If you want those messages gone, you have to delete them individually before you delete your account — and even then, only from your own view.
Photos and posts you made on your own timeline are removed during the deletion process. However, if you posted a photo in a group, tagged yourself in someone else's photo, or posted on a friend's wall, those items may stay visible. The person who owns that space (the group admin or your friend) can see and remove them, but you cannot after your account is deleted.
Comments you left on other people's posts usually disappear, but the post itself remains. If you commented on a public post or a news article, your comment may be replaced with "[deleted user]" or removed entirely, depending on the platform.
What Facebook keeps even after deletion
Facebook holds onto some information even after your account is gone. If you reported someone or filed a complaint, Facebook keeps records of that report tied to your account for legal reasons. If you were part of a group conversation or a marketplace transaction, records of those interactions may remain in Facebook's systems.
Advertisers who bought ads that you saw may still have data about you in their own systems — deletion only removes you from Facebook's servers, not from third-party databases. If you want to limit what advertisers know about you before you delete, you can go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Apps and Websites, and remove apps that have access to your data.
If you have a Facebook Business Page or manage ads, deleting your personal account does not automatically delete those. You have to delete the Business Page separately through its own settings.
If you change your mind during the 30-day waiting period
Log into Facebook with your email and password anytime during the 30 days after you request deletion. Your account will reactivate when ready, and the deletion request will cancel. All your photos, posts, friends, and messages will be exactly as you left them.
If you wait until after the 30 days are up, you cannot recover your account. You can create a new Facebook account with the same email address, but it will be a fresh start with no history or connections.
Alternatives if you want to stay on Facebook but change how you use it
If you are frustrated with Facebook but not ready to leave completely, consider these options instead of deletion. You can limit who sees your posts by changing your privacy settings — go to Settings and Privacy, then Privacy, and change "Who can see your posts?" to Friends Only or a custom list. You can also hide your account from search engines so people cannot find you unless they already know your email.
You can mute friends or pages so their posts stop showing up in your feed without unfriending them. You can also take a break by deactivating temporarily — this gives you time away without losing your account. Many people deactivate for a few months, then reactivate when they feel ready.
If you are concerned about privacy, you can read a copy of your information before you delete. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information and Permissions, then read Your Information. This gives you a file with copies of your photos, posts, and messages that you can keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see my account during the 30-day waiting period?
No. Your profile, photos, and posts are hidden from other people as soon as you request deletion. The 30-day wait is only for you — it gives you time to change your mind and log back in. Other people cannot see anything during this time.
What if I forget my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Once you reset it, you can log in and proceed with deletion. If you no longer have access to your email or phone, you may need to use Facebook's account recovery process, which can take longer.
Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram account too?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram, you have to do that separately through Instagram's settings.
Can I delete my account on mobile, or do I have to use a computer?
You can delete on either mobile or computer. The steps are the same — go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, then choose Delete Account. The process works the same way on both.
What if I deleted my account but want to use Facebook again later?
If you are still within the 30-day waiting period, log in and your account will reactivate. If more than 30 days have passed, you cannot recover the account. You can create a new Facebook account with the same email address, but it will be a new account with no history.