What happens when you delete your Facebook account

When you delete your Facebook account, Facebook removes your name, email, phone number, and profile information from public view within about 15 minutes. However, the company keeps backups of your data for up to 90 days in case you change your mind and want to reactivate. After 90 days, Facebook says the deletion becomes permanent, though copies of information you shared with others (like messages your friends received) may remain on their accounts.

During the 90-day window, you can log back in and cancel the deletion request. After that period ends, you cannot recover the account. This is different from deactivating, which temporarily hides your profile but keeps all your data intact and lets you return whenever you want.

Deletion does not remove you from Facebook's advertising network when ready. The company may continue to use information about your past activity to build audience profiles for advertisers, though your account itself will no longer exist.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion takes 90 days to become permanent, and you can undo it by logging in during that window.
  • Your profile disappears from public view within 15 minutes, but Facebook keeps server backups for the full 90 days.
  • Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
  • You must use the official Facebook settings menu to delete; there is no phone number or email support for this process.

How to delete your account through Facebook settings

Open Facebook in a web browser on a computer (the mobile app does not have a delete option in the same location). Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any page, next to your profile picture. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the page, scroll down and click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". Click the radio button next to Delete account, then click Continue to account deletion.

Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue. You will then see a final confirmation screen explaining that deletion takes 90 days and that you can undo it by logging in. Click Delete account to finish.

What you need to know before deleting

read your information first if you want to keep copies of your photos, posts, or messages. Before you start the deletion process, go back to Settings and privacy, click Settings, then find Your information and permissions on the left. Click read your information. Facebook will prepare a file of everything on your account, which you can read as a ZIP folder. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.

Tell people who need to reach you that you are leaving. Facebook will not notify your friends or contacts that your account is being deleted. If you have important conversations or contact information stored only in Facebook messages, save those details elsewhere first.

Check if you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps. Many services let you sign in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. Once your account is deleted, you will not be able to use that login method. Make sure you have passwords set up for any accounts that rely on Facebook login.

The difference between deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search results, your messages stop showing in conversations, and your profile page becomes invisible. However, your account still exists in Facebook's system, and you can reactivate it at any time by logging in again. All your data remains untouched.

Deletion is permanent after 90 days. Your account cannot be reactivated, and you would have to create a brand new account from scratch if you wanted to use Facebook again. Deletion also removes your profile from Facebook's public systems faster than deactivation does.

If you are unsure whether you want to leave permanently, deactivation is the safer choice. You can always delete later, but you cannot undo deletion after 90 days.

What happens to your data after deletion

Facebook removes your profile, photos, and posts from its public-facing systems within 15 minutes. Search engines like Google will eventually stop showing your Facebook profile in their results, though this can take weeks or months depending on how often they crawl the web.

Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. If you sent a photo to a friend through Messenger, that friend can still see it. Facebook does not delete messages from the recipient's side when you delete your account.

Information you shared in groups or on other people's pages may remain visible. If you posted a comment on a public page or in a group, that comment stays there even after your account is deleted, though it will show as posted by a deleted account rather than by your name.

If you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you can still request deletion without accessing your account. Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot password? Follow the steps to reset your password using your email address or phone number. Once you regain access, follow the deletion steps above.

If you do not have access to the email or phone number associated with your account, contact Facebook through their Help Center. Go to facebook.com/help and search for "delete account". You will find a form where you can report that you cannot access your account and request that Facebook delete it for you. This process takes longer than self-service deletion and may require you to prove your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account on the Facebook mobile app?

The mobile app does not have a delete option in the settings menu. You must use a web browser on a computer to delete your account. Open facebook.com, log in, and follow the deletion steps in the Settings menu.

What if I change my mind during the 90-day deletion period?

Log into your Facebook account using your email and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and the deletion request will be cancelled. All your data, photos, and messages will return to normal. You can only undo deletion during the 90-day window.

Will deleting my Facebook account remove me from Facebook Marketplace or Instagram?

If you use the same login for Instagram, deleting your Facebook account will also delete your Instagram account. Marketplace listings will disappear. However, if you have a separate Instagram account with a different email, it will not be affected. Check your account settings to see which services are linked.

Does Facebook delete my information from advertisers after I delete my account?

No. Advertisers who already received your information or built audience lists that included you will still have that data. Deletion stops Facebook from collecting new information about you going forward, but it does not erase what has already been shared with third parties.

How long does it take for my profile to disappear from Google search results?

Google typically removes deleted Facebook profiles from search results within a few weeks, but it can take longer. You can speed this up by going to Google Search Console and requesting removal of your profile URL, though this requires you to verify ownership of a website (which most people do not have).