Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently

Deactivation hides your profile for a while but keeps your data. Deletion removes your account and most of your information from Facebook's servers within about 90 days, though some data tied to other services may stay longer. If you think you might return, deactivation is reversible by logging back in. If you want out completely, deletion is the route.

Facebook does not make the delete button obvious. It is buried in settings, and the company shows you warnings and options to change your mind at each step. This is intentional — Facebook wants you to stay. But the process itself is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile temporarily and is reversible; deletion is permanent after 90 days and cannot be undone.
  • To delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, then choose Delete Account and confirm your password.
  • Facebook will ask you to read your data and show you recovery options before the deletion is final — these are not required steps.
  • After you request deletion, your profile disappears when ready, but Facebook keeps some data for legal and security reasons for up to 90 days.
  • If you log back in during the 90-day window, your deletion request cancels and your account reactivates.

How to delete your account on a computer

Open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner (the downward-facing arrow or three horizontal lines). Click Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you will see a menu — scroll down until you find Deactivation and Deletion. Click it.

You will see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Click Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue. At this point, Facebook shows you options to read your data or add a recovery email — you can skip both by clicking Delete Account again at the bottom of the screen.

A final confirmation screen appears. Click Delete, and your account is scheduled for removal. Your profile will disappear from Facebook when ready, but the company keeps some backend data for 90 days in case you change your mind and log back in.

How to delete your account on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Deactivation and Deletion and tap it.

Tap Delete Account, then enter your password when prompted. Tap Continue. Facebook will offer options to read your data or add a recovery email — you can skip these by tapping Delete Account again. On the final screen, tap Delete to confirm.

Your account is now scheduled for deletion. The app may stay on your phone, but it will not work once you log out. You can delete the app from your phone separately if you want.

What happens to your photos, messages, and posts

Once deletion is complete, your posts, photos, and comments are no longer visible to other people. However, Facebook keeps copies of some of this data on its servers for up to 90 days for legal, security, and backup reasons. After 90 days, most of it is deleted, though some information tied to payments, legal holds, or third-party services may be kept longer.

Messages you sent to other people are trickier. If someone else has a copy of your message in their inbox, it stays there even after your account is deleted — Facebook does not remove messages from the other person's account. If you want those messages gone, you would need to ask the other person to delete them.

Before you delete, you have the option to read your data. This creates a file with copies of your photos, posts, and some other information. Many people do this as a backup before deletion, though it is not required.

The 90-day window and what stops it

After you request deletion, you have 90 days to change your mind. If you log back into your account during this window, the deletion request is cancelled and your account reactivates as if nothing happened. After 90 days pass without you logging in, the deletion becomes permanent.

Be careful with your password during this period. If someone else logs into your account, they can cancel the deletion without your permission. If you are worried about this, change your password to something very long and random before you request deletion, then do not write it down anywhere.

Deactivation as an alternative

If you are not sure about permanent deletion, deactivation is a middle ground. Your profile and posts disappear from Facebook, and other people cannot find you or message you. However, Facebook keeps all your data and can reactivate your account if you log back in — even months or years later.

To deactivate instead of delete, follow the same steps above but choose Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account. You will see fewer warnings and no 90-day window — you can reactivate anytime by logging back in with your password.

Deactivation is useful if you want a break from Facebook but might want to return, or if you are deleting because of a temporary frustration. Deletion is the choice if you have decided Facebook is not for you and do not plan to come back.

What Facebook does not delete

Facebook deletes your profile, posts, and most personal data, but some information stays. If you used Facebook to log into other apps or websites, those accounts are not affected — you will still be able to use them, but you will need a different way to log in after your Facebook account is gone.

Ads you ran on Facebook are also archived. If you were a business or creator who paid for ads, Facebook keeps records of those campaigns for accounting and legal reasons. Your payment information may stay on file for billing disputes or chargebacks.

Messages you sent to Facebook's customer service or support team are kept for legal reasons. If you reported someone or filed a complaint, that record stays in Facebook's system even after your account is deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account if I use it to log into other apps?

Yes. Deleting your Facebook account does not delete the other apps or accounts you logged into with Facebook. However, you will need to set up a different login method for those apps — usually an email address and password. Check each app's settings before you delete Facebook to see what login options are available.

What if I delete my account but want to use the same email address again later?

After your account is fully deleted (90 days after you request it), you can create a new Facebook account with the same email address. However, during the 90-day window, Facebook reserves that email, so you cannot use it to sign up for a new account. Wait until the 90 days are up if you want to reuse the email.

Will deleting my Facebook account also 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 specifically linked them. If you want to delete those accounts too, you will need to delete them separately through their own settings.

Can someone else see that I deleted my account?

Your friends will notice that your profile is gone and they cannot message you or see your posts. Facebook does not send a notification saying you deleted your account — your profile straightforward disappears. Some people may assume you deactivated temporarily or blocked them, but they will not know for certain unless you tell them.

What if I accidentally delete my account and want it back?

Log back into Facebook within 90 days of requesting deletion. Use your email address and password on the Facebook login page. Your account will reactivate when ready and your deletion request will be cancelled. After 90 days, reactivation is no longer possible.