Delete Your Account Through the Facebook App Settings

To delete your Facebook account on Android, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to the Account section and tap Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: deactivate your account or delete your account. Tap Delete Account to proceed. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may request additional verification through a code sent to your email or phone number.

After you confirm, Facebook begins the deletion process. Your account, profile, photos, videos, and posts will be removed from Facebook's servers. This process takes about 30 days — during this time, your account is not visible to other people, but Facebook keeps your information in case you change your mind and want to reactivate before the 30 days end.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion through the Facebook app takes you to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, where you choose the delete option.
  • Facebook removes your account from public view when ready, but keeps your data for 30 days in case you log back in and cancel the deletion.
  • After 30 days, your account and all associated information are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
  • If you only want to hide your account temporarily without losing your data, deactivation is the option to choose instead of deletion.
  • You must enter your password and pass any additional verification Facebook requests before the deletion can proceed.

What Happens to Your Data When You Delete

When you delete your Facebook account, your profile disappears from search results and your friends' friend lists when ready. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes, but your name will no longer appear as the sender — they will see "Facebook User" instead. Photos and videos you uploaded are removed, but if someone else tagged you in their photos or videos, those posts stay up with your name removed from the tag.

Comments you left on other people's posts are deleted. Pages you created or managed will be removed. If you were an admin on a group, that group may be deleted or reassigned to another admin, depending on the group's settings. Any apps or websites you connected to your Facebook account will lose access to your Facebook login information.

The Difference Between Deactivation and Deletion

Deactivation hides your account temporarily. Your profile, photos, and posts disappear from Facebook, and people cannot find you or message you. However, Facebook keeps all your information on its servers. If you log back in within a certain period, your account reactivates and everything returns exactly as it was. Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break but might return later.

Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, your account and all your data are gone for good. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. If you want to use Facebook again after deletion, you must create a brand new account from scratch. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not want to return to Facebook.

Verify Your Identity if Facebook Asks

During the deletion process, Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity. This usually means entering your password again or entering a code sent to your email address or phone number. Check the email address or phone number associated with your account — the code will arrive there within a few minutes.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on file, tap Need Help? or No longer have access to this email/phone? Facebook will walk you through other ways to verify who you are, such as uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions you set up previously.

What to Do if You Cannot Find the Delete Option

If the delete option does not appear in your Settings, your account may be too new. Facebook requires accounts to exist for a certain period before deletion is available — usually at least a few days. If your account is brand new, wait a few days and try again.

If you still cannot find the option, try logging out of the app completely, closing it, and logging back in. Sometimes the menu does not refresh properly. If the problem persists, try deleting your account through Facebook's website instead of the app. Open a web browser on your Android phone, go to facebook.com, log in, and follow the same path: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion > Delete Account. The website version sometimes loads more reliably than the app.

After Your Account Is Deleted

Once the 30-day deletion period ends, your account is gone permanently. You will not be able to log back in, and Facebook will not recover your data. If you change your mind during the 30 days, log back into your account before the period ends and cancel the deletion request — your account will return to normal.

After deletion, you can create a new Facebook account using the same email address or phone number, but it will be a completely separate account with no connection to your old one. Your old friends will not automatically be connected to your new account, and you will need to add them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account without entering my password?

No. Facebook requires your password to confirm the deletion request. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from deleting your account without your permission. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password?" option on the login screen to reset it before attempting to delete your account.

Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts, even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete each account separately if you want to remove all three.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger after I delete my account?

Your Messenger account is tied to your Facebook account. When you delete Facebook, your Messenger account is deleted as well. People will not be able to message you, and you will not be able to access old conversations. However, messages you sent to others will remain in their inboxes with your name removed.

Can I reactivate my account after the 30-day deletion period?

No. After 30 days, your account and all your data are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. You cannot reactivate it. If you want to use Facebook again, you must create a new account from the beginning.

Will my friends know that I deleted my account?

Your friends will notice that your profile is no longer visible and that they cannot find you on Facebook. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you deleted your account, but they will see that you are gone when they try to visit your profile or search for you.