Facebook gives you two choices: deactivation or deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages and posts vanish from view, and friends cannot find you. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within a certain period. Facebook keeps your data in case you return.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from its servers. You cannot undo this. The difference matters because deactivation is reversible if you change your mind, while deletion is not.
Most people who want to leave Facebook should start with deactivation. It gives you a month to reconsider without losing anything. If you are certain you will never return, deletion is the option to choose.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data; you can reactivate by logging in again at any time.
- Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days and cannot be reversed.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find the Deactivation option in the left menu.
- To delete, use the same path but select Deletion instead, then confirm your choice and enter your password.
- Facebook may take up to 90 days to fully remove all copies of your data from its backup systems.
How to deactivate your Facebook profile
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.
Facebook will ask why you are leaving. You can skip this question or select a reason. Then enter your password to confirm. Your profile will be hidden when ready. Your friends will no longer see your name in their friend lists or search results.
During the 30-day waiting period, you can reactivate by straightforward logging in with your email and password. After 30 days, if you have not logged back in, Facebook will begin the deletion process automatically.
How to permanently delete your Facebook profile
Follow the same first steps: click the arrow in the top right, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion. This time, select Delete Account instead of Deactivate.
Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. You will need to enter your password again. Once you confirm, your profile enters a 30-day deletion window. During this time, you can still cancel by logging in.
After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins removing your data from its active servers. The company says this process can take up to 90 days total because data exists in multiple backup locations. You will not be able to see your profile during any of this time.
What happens to your messages and photos
When you deactivate, your messages stay in your friends' inboxes, but they cannot reply to you or see your name in the conversation. Your photos remain tagged in other people's posts, but your profile picture and cover photo disappear.
When you delete, messages you sent are removed from Facebook's servers, but friends may still have copies or screenshots. Photos you uploaded are deleted, though again, anyone who downloaded or screenshotted them keeps those copies. Tags in other people's photos remain, but clicking them no longer leads to your profile.
If you are concerned about specific photos or messages, read your data before you deactivate or delete. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Your Information and Permissions, and select read Your Information. This creates a file you can keep.
Removing yourself from groups and events before you go
Before deactivating or deleting, consider leaving groups and events. When you deactivate, you stay listed as a member but cannot participate. When you delete, your name disappears from group rosters, but the group admin may still see records that you were once a member.
If you are an admin of a group or event, you should transfer admin rights to someone else before you leave. Go to the group or event, click Members, find another admin, and use the menu next to their name to promote them to the highest admin level. Then you can leave.
If you change your mind during the waiting period
You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion or deactivation to change your mind. straightforward log in to Facebook with your email and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and all your data will return.
After 30 days, reactivation is no longer possible. If you deactivated and want to delete instead, you must go through the deletion process again. If you deleted and want your account back, you cannot recover it.
Staying off Facebook after you leave
Even after deletion, Facebook may send you emails about your account or suggest you rejoin. You can unsubscribe from these emails by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each message. You can also log into your account settings one final time before deletion completes to turn off all notifications.
If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, those connections will break once your account is deleted. Before you delete, change your passwords on any site that uses Facebook Login, or set up a new login method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read my photos and messages before I delete?
Yes. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information and Permissions, then read Your Information. Facebook will create a file with your photos, messages, posts, and other data. This can take a few hours or days depending on how much data you have. You will receive an email when it is ready to read.
What if I deactivate but then want to delete instead?
You can switch to deletion anytime during the 30-day deactivation period. Go back to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Delete Account instead. This starts a new 30-day countdown for permanent deletion.
Will my friends be able to see my old posts after I delete?
No. Once deletion is complete, your posts, photos, and profile disappear from Facebook's servers. However, if someone took a screenshot or saved your content before you deleted, they will still have it. Facebook cannot remove content from outside sources.
Does deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook profile does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete each account separately if you want to remove all three.
How long does it actually take for Facebook to delete everything?
Facebook says it takes up to 90 days to remove all copies of your data from its backup systems. Your profile disappears from public view when ready after the 30-day waiting period ends, but the company keeps copies for a while longer in case of legal requests or disputes.