Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days to complete
When you delete your Facebook account, the company removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from public view. The deletion is not reversible — you cannot log back in and restore the account after those 30 days pass. If you change your mind during the waiting period, you can cancel the deletion by logging in again, but once the 30 days end, Facebook permanently removes all your data from their servers.
Deletion is different from deactivation. Deactivating a Facebook account hides your profile temporarily but keeps your data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate a deactivated account at any time by logging back in. Deletion removes the account entirely and is the right choice if you do not plan to return.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion takes 30 days from the date you request it, and you cannot undo it after that period ends.
- You must use your password to request deletion — Facebook will not delete an account without confirming your identity.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden from other users but your data still exists on Facebook's servers.
- Canceling deletion is possible only if you log in during those 30 days; after that window closes, the account is gone for good.
- Messages you sent to other people may remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
How to request permanent deletion on a computer
Go to facebook.com and log in with your email and password. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, then select Settings and privacy, then 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 again. Enter it and click Continue. You will see a screen explaining that deletion takes 30 days and that you cannot undo it after that time. Click Delete account to confirm. Facebook will send a confirmation email to the address on file.
Your profile will disappear from search results and other people's friend lists when ready, but Facebook's servers will retain your data for 30 days in case you change your mind and log back in to cancel the deletion.
How to request permanent deletion on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and deletion. Select Delete account and enter your password when prompted.
Confirm the deletion by tapping Delete account again. The process is identical to the computer version — your account will be hidden when ready, but the 30-day waiting period still applies before permanent removal.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
During these 30 days, your profile is not visible to other Facebook users. Your name will not appear in search results, your photos will not show in friends' timelines, and your account will not appear in anyone's friend list. However, Facebook keeps your data on its servers during this time.
If you log in to Facebook during the 30-day period using your email and password, the deletion request will be canceled and your account will return to normal. You will have full access to your profile, messages, and photos again. This is the only way to stop the deletion process once you have requested it.
If you do not log in during these 30 days, Facebook will permanently delete your account and all associated data at the end of the period. You will not receive a warning or reminder — the deletion happens automatically.
What data gets deleted and what remains
Facebook deletes your profile, all your posts, photos, videos, comments, and messages from your inbox. Your friend list, relationship status, work history, and any other information you added to your profile will be removed. The company also deletes data about your activity, such as pages you liked, groups you joined, and events you attended.
However, messages you sent to other people may still appear in their inboxes after your account is deleted. Facebook does not remove messages from recipients' accounts when you delete yours. If you want to remove a message before deleting your account, you can unsend individual messages by opening the conversation, hovering over the message, clicking the three dots, and selecting Remove.
Information you shared with third-party apps connected to your Facebook account may not be deleted. Before requesting account deletion, review which apps have access to your Facebook data. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites and remove access for any apps you no longer use.
Reasons to delete instead of deactivate
Choose deletion if you do not plan to use Facebook again and want your data completely removed from the platform. Deletion is also the right choice if you are concerned about your privacy and want to may support Facebook is not storing your information. Some people delete because they want to reduce their social media use permanently, or because they are switching to a different platform.
Deactivation is better if you might want to return to Facebook later, or if you want to keep your account but take a break. Deactivation hides your profile but preserves everything, so reactivating is when ready and your account looks exactly as you left it.
What to do before you delete
read your photos and posts before requesting deletion. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information and permissions > read your information. Facebook will create a file containing your photos, videos, posts, and messages. This can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have. Once ready, you will receive an email with a link to read the file.
Tell people you want to stay in contact with that you are deleting your account and provide them with your phone number or email address. If you use Facebook Messenger to communicate with friends, let them know how to reach you after your account is gone. Consider whether you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps — if you do, create passwords for those services before deleting, since you will no longer be able to use Facebook as a login method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account if I forgot my password?
No, Facebook requires your password to confirm your identity before deleting an account. If you forgot your password, reset it first by going to facebook.com, clicking Forgot password?, and following the recovery steps. You will need access to the email or phone number associated with your account. Once you have reset your password, you can log in and request deletion.
Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram and WhatsApp accounts?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account will not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. However, if you used your Facebook login to create an Instagram account, you will lose access to Instagram when Facebook is deleted. You can change your Instagram login to an email address before deleting Facebook to prevent this.
What if I delete my account but want to come back later?
If you delete your account and then want to return, you will need to create a new account from scratch. You cannot restore a deleted account after the 30-day period ends. Your old username, profile, and data will be gone. This is why the 30-day waiting period exists — to give you time to change your mind before the deletion becomes permanent.
Does Facebook delete my data from their servers when ready?
No. Facebook keeps your data on its servers for 30 days after you request deletion. During this time, if you log in, the deletion is canceled and your account is restored. After 30 days, Facebook removes your data from their active servers, though backup copies may exist for a longer period for legal or security reasons.
Can someone else delete my Facebook account?
No. Facebook requires your password to delete an account, so only you can request deletion. If someone else has your password, change it when ready by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Password and security > Change password. If you believe your account has been hacked, report it to Facebook before requesting deletion.