You can delete a Facebook group if you are the group owner, but the process differs depending on whether the group is active or inactive
To delete a Facebook group, you must be the group owner. Facebook does not let members delete a group they do not own, and the owner cannot transfer ownership to someone else before deleting. If you own the group, you can delete it through your group settings on either the Facebook website or mobile app. The group will be permanently removed, and members will no longer see it in their list or in search results.
Deletion is permanent. Once you delete a group, all posts, photos, files, and member records are gone. Facebook does not restore deleted groups, so make sure you want to remove it before you confirm. If you think you might want the group back later, you can leave the group instead and let another owner manage it, or you can archive the group to keep the content but make it invisible to members.
Key Takeaways
- Only the group owner can delete a Facebook group; members cannot delete a group they do not own.
- Deleting a group is permanent and removes all posts, photos, files, and member information with no way to restore it.
- You can archive a group instead of deleting it if you want to preserve the content but hide it from members.
- The delete option appears in the group settings menu under "Edit Group Settings" on the website or in the three-dot menu on mobile.
How to delete a group on the Facebook website
Open Facebook and go to the group you own. Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner of the group cover photo. Scroll down and select "Edit Group Settings." On the settings page, scroll to the bottom of the list. You will see a red button or link that says "Delete Group." Click it.
Facebook will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully—it will tell you that the group and all its content will be permanently deleted. Click the confirmation button to complete the deletion. The group will disappear when ready, and members will receive a notification that the group has been deleted.
How to delete a group on the Facebook mobile app
Open the Facebook app and navigate to the group. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the group header. Scroll down and tap "Edit Group Settings." Scroll to the bottom of the settings page. Tap the red "Delete Group" option.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap to confirm the deletion. The group will be removed from Facebook when ready, and all members will be notified. The process is the same whether you use iPhone or Android.
What happens to group members when you delete it
When you delete a group, all members receive a notification that the group has been deleted. They will no longer see the group in their groups list, and they cannot access any of the posts, photos, or files that were shared there. Members cannot rejoin a deleted group, and there is no way for them to recover the content.
If the group had important information or files that members need, consider downloading or saving that content before you delete. You can take screenshots of important posts or read photos and files manually. After deletion, this information will be gone from Facebook permanently.
Archiving a group instead of deleting it
If you want to keep the group's content but do not want members to see it or post in it anymore, you can archive the group instead of deleting it. An archived group is hidden from the members list and search results, but the content remains on Facebook and you can access it later if you change your mind.
To archive a group, go to "Edit Group Settings" and look for an "Archive Group" option. This option appears on the same settings page where the delete button is. Archiving is reversible—you can unarchive the group at any time and members will be able to see it again. Archiving is a good choice if you are closing a group temporarily or want to preserve the history without deleting it permanently.
If you are not the group owner
If you are a member of a group but not the owner, you cannot delete the group. You can only leave the group by going to the group page, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Leave Group." Leaving removes you from the member list but does not affect the group itself.
If you believe the group violates Facebook's community standards—for example, if it contains hate speech, harassment, or illegal content—you can report the group to Facebook. Go to the three-dot menu on the group page and select "Report Group." Facebook will review your report and may delete the group if it breaks their rules. You do not need to be the owner to report a group.
What information disappears when a group is deleted
Deleting a group removes all posts, comments, photos, videos, files, and links that were shared in that group. Member names and join dates are also deleted. Any conversations or messages that happened in the group chat are gone. Facebook does not keep a backup of deleted groups, so this information cannot be recovered.
If you need to preserve any of this content, read it before you delete the group. You can take screenshots of important posts, save photos to your device, or copy text from discussions. Once the group is deleted, Facebook has no record of it, and you will have no way to access the information again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a Facebook group if I am not the owner?
No. Only the group owner can delete a group. If you are a member but not the owner, you can leave the group or report it to Facebook if it violates their community standards. The owner must delete the group themselves.
Can I restore a group after I delete it?
No. Deleted groups cannot be restored. Facebook does not keep backups of deleted groups, and there is no way to recover the group or its content. If you think you might want the group later, archive it instead of deleting it.
What is the difference between deleting and archiving a group?
Deleting removes the group permanently and erases all content. Archiving hides the group from members and search results but keeps the content on Facebook. You can unarchive a group at any time, but you cannot undelete one.
Do group members get notified when I delete a group?
Yes. All members receive a notification that the group has been deleted. They will no longer see the group in their list, and they cannot access any of the posts or files that were shared there.
Can I read group content before I delete it?
Yes. You can take screenshots of posts, save photos and videos to your device, or copy text from discussions. Facebook does not provide a bulk read tool for groups, so you will need to save content manually before deletion.