Facebook gives you two choices: deactivation or deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your friends cannot see your posts or photos. Facebook keeps your data in case you want to come back — you can reactivate within 30 days by logging in again. After 30 days, Facebook begins deleting your information, though the process can take up to 90 days total.
Deletion is permanent. Once you request it, you cannot undo it. Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from public view. Some information may stay in backups for up to 90 days, but you cannot recover your account. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not want to return.
Most people should deactivate first if they are unsure. You can always delete later. If you are certain now, you can go straight to deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data — you can reactivate by logging in within 30 days, and Facebook fully deletes your information after 90 days.
- Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so only choose this if you are absolutely certain you will not want your account back.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find Deactivation and Deletion in the left menu.
- To delete, use the same menu but select Delete Account, then confirm your password and follow Facebook's final confirmation steps.
- Messages you sent to others may remain in their inboxes even after you delete your account.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, scroll down and click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account, then click Continue. Facebook will ask you to pick a reason — you do not have to answer, but Facebook uses this feedback to improve the platform. Click Next.
Facebook will show you a list of friends and ask if you want to notify them. You can skip this. Then you will see a final confirmation screen. Enter your password to confirm, then click Deactivate Account. Your profile is now hidden.
If you change your mind within 30 days, straightforward log back in with your email and password. Your account will reactivate when ready and everything will be restored. After 30 days, you cannot reactivate — Facebook will begin the permanent deletion process.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Follow the same first steps: click the downward arrow, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left, click Deactivation and Deletion. This time, choose Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. Click Continue.
Facebook will ask for your password again. Enter it and click Continue. You will see a final warning that deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Read this carefully. If you are ready, click Delete Account. Your account is now scheduled for permanent removal.
Facebook will not delete everything when ready. Your profile disappears from search and your friends' lists right away, but the company keeps your data in backup systems for up to 90 days. During this time, if you somehow regain access to your account (through a recovered password or hacked account), you could theoretically stop the deletion. After 90 days, Facebook permanently removes your information from all systems.
What happens to your messages and photos after deletion
Messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes. Deleting your account does not erase conversations from your friends' phones or computers. If you want those messages gone, you would need to ask each person to delete them individually, or you could delete individual messages before you delete your account.
Photos and videos you posted to your own timeline disappear from Facebook's servers. However, if you shared photos in Messenger or in group chats, copies may remain there. If you tagged yourself in someone else's photo, the tag disappears but the photo stays on their timeline.
Comments you left on other people's posts are removed. Your name will no longer appear under those comments, though the comment itself may leave a blank space or show as deleted.
Downloading your information before you delete
Facebook lets you read a copy of everything you posted — photos, videos, messages, and posts — before deletion. This takes a few minutes to set up and can take hours or days to complete, depending on how much data you have.
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Your Information on the left side. Select read Your Information. Choose the date range (usually All Time), the format (HTML is easiest to read), and the media quality. Click Request a read. Facebook will prepare a file and email you a link when it is ready. read it to your computer before you delete your account, because you cannot access it afterward.
Removing Facebook from other apps and websites
If you used your Facebook login to sign into other apps or websites — like Spotify, Instagram, or a news site — deleting Facebook does not automatically disconnect those accounts. You will need to change your password on each service separately or set up a new login method.
Before you delete, go through your phone and computer and check which apps use Facebook login. Most apps have a Settings or Account section where you can disconnect Facebook and create a new password. If you do not do this, those apps may stop working or you may lose access to your account on them.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you cannot delete your account through the normal steps. Go to facebook.com/login/identify and enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a code to reset your password. Once you log back in, follow the deletion steps above.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, you can still request deletion. Go to facebook.com/help/contact and select a reason for contacting Facebook. Explain that you want to delete your account and cannot log in. Facebook support may ask you to verify your identity before they process the deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my account back after I delete it?
No. Once the 90-day deletion period ends, your account is gone permanently. You cannot recover it, and you cannot use the same email to create a new account with the same profile history. You can create a new Facebook account with that email, but it will be a fresh start with no old data.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile no longer exists, but Facebook does not send them a notification. If they try to visit your profile or search for you, they will see that the account is no longer available. They may not notice unless they try to contact you.
What if I deactivate but change my mind after 30 days?
If you do not log in within 30 days of deactivation, Facebook automatically begins permanent deletion. You cannot reactivate after that point. The deletion process takes up to 90 days total, and after that your account is gone for good.
Does deleting Facebook delete my Instagram account too?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram account. You would need to delete Instagram separately if you want both gone.
Can I delete my account on my phone instead of a computer?
Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and Deletion and follow the same steps. The process is identical on mobile.