Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently
Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and photos from other people, but Facebook keeps your data. You can reactivate anytime within 30 days by logging back in. After 30 days, Facebook begins deleting your information, though some data tied to messages may stay longer.
Deletion is permanent. Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and most associated data within about 90 days. You cannot undo this. If you think you might want your account back someday, deactivate first and see how you feel after a month.
Most people who want out choose deletion because they do not want to accidentally reactivate the account later. The process takes a few minutes on a computer or phone.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; deletion removes it permanently after 90 days.
- You have 30 days to change your mind after deactivation by straightforward logging in again.
- Deletion cannot be reversed, so read your photos and messages first if you want to keep them.
- The delete option lives in Settings, not in a prominent menu — Facebook does not advertise it.
- If you share a device with others, log out completely before deleting to avoid someone else's account being affected.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook in any web browser and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen — it is next to your profile picture. A menu drops down. Scroll to the bottom and click Settings and privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". Click Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to solve a CAPTCHA (those distorted letters or images that prove you are human).
Read the warning screen carefully. Facebook lists what happens: your profile disappears, you cannot use Messenger, and your messages may stay in other people's inboxes. Click Delete account again to confirm. Your account is now scheduled for deletion and will be gone within 90 days.
How to delete your account on iPhone or Android
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to Deactivation and deletion and tap it. Tap Delete account. Facebook will ask for your password. Enter it and tap Delete account again. The deletion process begins when ready.
If you use Facebook Lite (the lighter version for older phones), the steps are the same: three lines menu, Settings and privacy, Settings, Deactivation and deletion, Delete account.
read your information before you delete
Once your account is deleted, you lose access to your photos, videos, messages, and posts. If any of these matter to you, read them first. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Your information and permissions, then read your information. Choose the date range (usually "All time"), select which categories you want (photos, videos, posts, messages), and choose a file format. Facebook recommends HTML for readability. Click Create file. Facebook will prepare a compressed folder and email you a read link within a few hours. read it to your computer and save it somewhere safe before you delete your account.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
When you delete your account, your sent messages disappear from your inbox, but copies stay in other people's inboxes. They can still see what you wrote. Your received messages also stay in other people's conversations. There is no way to erase messages from someone else's account.
Photos that other people tagged you in remain on their profiles and in their albums. Only photos you posted yourself are removed. If you want to untag yourself from photos before deletion, do that first — go to each photo, click the three dots, and select "Remove tag".
If you change your mind within 30 days
If you deactivated your account instead of deleting it, you have 30 days to reactivate. straightforward log in with your email and password, and your account comes back exactly as it was. After 30 days, Facebook begins the deletion process and you cannot recover it.
If you deleted your account and realize within 90 days that you want it back, contact Facebook through their Help Center. Explain that you deleted by mistake. Facebook rarely restores deleted accounts, but it is worth asking within the first week. After 90 days, recovery is not possible.
Removing Facebook from other apps and websites
Many apps and websites let you log in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. When you delete Facebook, those connections break. Before you delete, go through apps you use regularly and change the login method.
Check your phone's app settings: on iPhone, go to Settings, scroll to the app, and look for "Sign in with Facebook" or connected accounts. On Android, open the app itself and look in its settings for connected accounts. Change the password or link to a different login method (like Google or email). This prevents you from being locked out of apps you still use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my email to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. Once your account is fully deleted after 90 days, your email is no longer tied to Facebook. Someone could theoretically create a new account with that email. To prevent this, change the email on your account to a fake one before deletion, or use a separate email address for a new account if you ever want one later.
Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not touch Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram too, you must delete that account separately through Instagram's settings.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivation hides your profile for 30 days and keeps all your data. You can reactivate anytime by logging in. Deletion is permanent — after 90 days your account and data are gone for good. Most people choose deletion if they do not plan to come back.
Can I delete my account if I have an outstanding balance or unpaid ads?
Facebook will not stop you from deleting, but you remain responsible for any unpaid charges. Settle any outstanding balances before you delete to avoid collection attempts later. Check your payment history in Settings under Billing.
Does deleting my account remove me from Facebook groups I admin?
Yes. When your account is deleted, you are removed from all groups, including ones you created or manage. If you admin a group that matters to you, assign another admin before deletion so the group does not become abandoned.