Facebook gives you two separate options: deactivation and deletion
Deactivation and deletion are not the same thing, and Facebook makes this distinction deliberately. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily — your friends can't see you, your posts disappear from their feeds, and your messages go dark. But Facebook keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime, even years later. Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from its servers. You cannot undo it.
Most people who say they want to "delete Facebook" actually want deactivation — they want out without burning the bridge. If you think you might return, deactivate first. If you're certain you're done and want your data gone, proceed to deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers; deletion removes it permanently after 30 days.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the prompts.
- To delete, use the same path but select Delete Account instead, then confirm your password and wait 30 days before the deletion is final.
- During the 30-day deletion window, you can cancel and restore your account by logging in again.
- Facebook will not delete messages you sent to others, photos others posted of you, or comments you made on other people's posts.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Open Facebook on a computer (the mobile app does not have this option in all regions). Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options; select Deactivate Account.
Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for leaving (this is optional — you can skip it). Then it will ask for your password to confirm. Enter it and click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden. Your profile will not appear in searches, your friends cannot message you, and your posts are gone from their feeds. You will not receive notifications.
If you change your mind, straightforward log back in with your email and password. Your account reactivates when ready and everything returns to normal. There is no time limit on reactivation — you can deactivate for a month or five years and still come back.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Go to the same location: Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. This time, select Delete Account. Facebook will ask for your password again. Enter it and click Delete Account.
You will see a 30-day countdown. During these 30 days, your account is in a deletion queue. Your profile is hidden from everyone, but your data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log in during this window — even once — the deletion cancels and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages.
Mark the date on your calendar. Do not log in. If you use your Facebook email address for other accounts (Instagram, Oculus, games), change those passwords now or move them to a different email before the 30 days end, because Facebook will delete the account that controls them.
What Facebook does and does not delete
Facebook deletes your profile, your posts, your photos, and your direct messages. It removes your name from friend lists and group memberships. Search engines will stop indexing your profile within days.
Facebook does not delete messages you sent to other people — those remain in their inboxes. It does not delete photos or videos that other people posted of you. It does not remove comments you made on other people's posts or pages. If you were tagged in someone else's photo, the tag disappears but the photo stays. If you want those removed, you have to ask the person who posted them.
If you were a member of a group and posted content there, your posts may remain visible to group members even after deletion, depending on the group's settings and how long ago you posted.
Backing up your data before you delete
Facebook offers a read tool so you can keep a copy of your photos, posts, and messages before deletion. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > read Your Information. Select the date range (usually "All of My Information"), choose which categories to include (photos, posts, messages, etc.), and select a file format. Facebook will prepare a compressed file and email you a read link, usually within a few hours.
This read is for your records only. It does not affect the deletion process. Even if you read everything, the 30-day countdown still applies and deletion still happens on schedule.
If you want to stay on Facebook but limit what people see
Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. If you are hesitant, consider these alternatives first. You can deactivate temporarily to see how you feel after a month. You can change your privacy settings so only friends see your posts, or so your profile does not appear in searches. You can unfriend or block specific people. You can hide your account from search engines by going to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Privacy and unchecking "Allow search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile."
You can also delete the Facebook app from your phone while keeping your account active, which removes the temptation to scroll without deleting anything. Many people find this middle ground more realistic than full deletion.
Deleting Facebook does not delete Instagram or WhatsApp
Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not touch Instagram or WhatsApp. If you want those gone too, you must delete them separately using the same process on each platform. Go to Instagram's Settings > Account > Delete Account, or WhatsApp's Settings > Account > Delete Account.
If you use the same email address for multiple accounts, change the email on Instagram and WhatsApp to something else before you delete Facebook, so you do not lose access to those accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account from my phone?
The deletion option is not available in the Facebook mobile app on most phones. You must use a computer or access Facebook through a mobile web browser. Go to facebook.com in your phone's browser, log in, and follow the desktop steps above.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete?
Active listings are removed and buyers cannot contact you. If you have pending sales or messages from interested buyers, resolve those before starting the deletion process. Once the 30-day window ends, those conversations are gone.
Will deleting Facebook remove me from group chats?
Yes. Any group chats, Messenger conversations, or message threads you are part of will show you as removed or deleted. People in those chats will see that you are no longer a member, but the chat history remains for them.
How long does it take for my Facebook profile to disappear from Google search results?
Google usually removes deleted Facebook profiles from its search index within a few days to a week, but it can take longer. You can speed this up by going to Google Search Console and requesting removal of your profile URL directly.
Can I use the same email address for a new Facebook account after deletion?
Yes, but only after the 30-day deletion window closes. During those 30 days, Facebook reserves the email address. After deletion is final, you can create a new account with that email if you change your mind.