Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate or delete
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and friends cannot see your timeline. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in — Facebook keeps your data for 30 days, then deletes it if you do not return.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your account, profile, photos, and posts from their servers. You cannot undo this. If you think you might want to come back, deactivate first. If you are certain, go straight to deletion.
Most people choose deactivation because it is reversible. Choose deletion only if you are confident you will not want your account again.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data — you can reactivate by logging in anytime within 30 days.
- Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone, so make sure before you start the process.
- Both options require you to log into Facebook from a computer or the mobile app, not through a third-party login.
- Facebook may take up to 90 days to fully remove all copies of your data from backup systems after deletion.
- Messages you sent to others stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Log into Facebook on a computer. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and click Continue to account deactivation.
Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and choose a reason for leaving. You do not have to pick a reason — you can skip this step. Then click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden.
On a mobile phone, the steps are the same but the menu looks different. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right (on Android) or bottom left (on iPhone), scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then follow the same path to Deactivation and deletion.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Log into Facebook on a computer. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Deactivation and deletion. This time, choose Delete account and click Continue to account deletion.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password again and may ask you to solve a CAPTCHA (the puzzle that proves you are human). After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, if you log back in, the deletion stops and your account reactivates.
After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook begins removing your data. This removal can take up to 90 days total because Facebook stores copies of your information across multiple servers. Once the 90 days are over, your account is gone.
What happens to your photos, posts, and messages
When you delete your account, Facebook removes your profile, timeline, and all posts you created. Photos you uploaded are deleted. However, photos that other people posted and tagged you in may still appear on their profiles — deletion only removes the photos you personally uploaded.
Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Deletion does not erase conversations from the other person's account. If you want to remove a specific message before deleting, you can unsend individual messages through Messenger, but this only works if the recipient has not read it yet.
Comments you left on other people's posts remain visible, though they will show as coming from a deleted account rather than your name. If you want to remove specific comments before deletion, go to each post and delete the comment manually.
What to do if you cannot log in
If you forgot your password or cannot access your account, you cannot delete it through the normal path. Go to facebook.com/login/identify on a computer and enter the email or phone number connected to your account. Facebook will send you a code to reset your password.
If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on file, click No longer have access to these? and follow the steps to verify your identity. Facebook may ask you to upload a photo of your ID or answer security questions you set up in the past.
Once you regain access, follow the deletion steps above. If you cannot regain access after trying these steps, you can contact Facebook through their help center, though response times are slow and Facebook may not be able to delete the account if they cannot verify your identity.
Removing Facebook login from other apps and websites
Before you delete, check which apps and websites use your Facebook login. Many services let you sign in with your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. When you delete Facebook, these logins stop working.
Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Apps and websites on the left menu. You will see a list of every app and website connected to your Facebook account. Click each one and select Remove.
After you remove an app, you will need to create a separate password with that service if you want to keep using it. Some apps delete your account when you disconnect Facebook login, so check each app's settings to understand what happens when you remove the connection.
Backing up your information before you delete
Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, posts, and profile information before deletion. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Your information and permissions, then read your information. Choose the date range and format (HTML or JSON), then click Request a read.
Facebook will prepare a file containing your data. Depending on how much information you have, this can take from a few minutes to several hours. You will receive a notification when the file is ready, and you can read it from the same page. This backup does not stop deletion — it just gives you a copy of your own data.
This backup is useful if you want to keep a record of photos or posts before they disappear. You cannot use this file to restore your account later, but you can use it to print photos or save memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account without logging in?
No. Facebook requires you to log in and confirm your password before deletion. If you cannot log in, you must reset your password first using the email or phone number on your account. If you have lost access to both, contact Facebook's help center, though they may not be able to delete the account without verifying your identity.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data — you can reactivate by logging in anytime. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes your account, profile, and posts from Facebook's servers. Choose deactivation if you might return; choose deletion if you are certain you will not.
Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp unless you used your Facebook login to create them. If you did, you will lose access to those accounts unless you set up a separate password first.
How long does it take to fully delete my account?
Your account enters a 30-day grace period after you request deletion. If you do not log in during those 30 days, Facebook begins removing your data. Full removal from all servers can take up to 90 days total. After 90 days, your account is completely gone.
Can I recover my account after the 30-day grace period ends?
No. After 30 days pass without logging in, Facebook begins permanent deletion. Once the 90-day removal process finishes, your account cannot be recovered. If you think you might want your account back, deactivate instead of delete.