Facebook gives you two options: deactivation or deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your wall goes blank. Facebook keeps your data in case you want to reactivate later — you can log back in anytime within a certain period and your account returns to normal.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, your account and everything on it — photos, messages, posts, friend lists — is gone for good. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. If you think you might want to come back to Facebook later, deactivation is the safer choice.
Most people who want to leave Facebook should delete rather than deactivate, because deactivation is reversible and you might slip back into using it. Deletion forces a clean break.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes all your data; deactivation is temporary and keeps everything in case you return.
- You delete your account through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, then choose the delete option.
- Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind before the deletion becomes final — logging back in during this window cancels the deletion.
- Some information tied to your account, like messages you sent to others, may remain visible to the people who received them.
- read your photos and posts before deleting if you want to keep copies, because deletion removes them from Facebook permanently.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page — this opens a menu. Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the screen, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: one to deactivate and one to delete. Click the circle next to Delete Account, then click Continue to Account Deletion.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue. You will see a confirmation screen explaining that your account will be deleted in 30 days. Click Delete Account to finish. Your account is now scheduled for deletion.
How to delete your account 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 & Privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to find Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select the circle next to Delete Account, then tap Continue to Account Deletion. Enter your password when prompted and tap Continue.
Confirm the deletion by tapping Delete Account on the final screen. Your account will be deleted after 30 days.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
Facebook holds your account in a deletion state for 30 days. During this time, your profile is not visible to anyone, but your data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log back into your account at any point during these 30 days, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal.
After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently removes your account and all associated data. This includes your photos, posts, messages, friend list, and any other information you stored on the platform. Once this happens, there is no way to recover it.
If you are worried you might accidentally log back in, consider changing your password to something you do not know, or writing down the new password and storing it somewhere you will not check during the 30 days.
read your photos and posts before deleting
Facebook lets you read a copy of everything you posted before your account is deleted. This is useful if you want to keep photos or other memories. Log into Facebook, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
Click Your Information and Permissions on the left side, then click read Your Information. Choose the date range and what types of content you want to read — photos, posts, videos, and more are available. Select a file format (HTML or JSON) and click Request a read.
Facebook will prepare your file, which can take a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. You will receive an email when it is ready. Click the link in the email to read your file to your computer. Do this before you delete your account, because once deletion is final, you cannot retrieve this information.
What information stays visible after deletion
Messages you sent to other people will still appear in their inboxes, even after your account is deleted. They will see the message, but your profile name might show as "Facebook User" or appear differently. Any comments you left on public pages or groups may also remain visible, though your name might not be attached.
Photos you were tagged in by other people will stay on their profiles. If you want those removed, you need to ask the people who posted them to untag you or delete the photos before you delete your account.
If you used Facebook to log into other apps or websites, deleting your Facebook account will disconnect those logins. Make sure you have passwords set up for any services that use Facebook as a sign-in option, or you will lose access to those accounts.
What to do if you change your mind during the 30 days
If you decide you want to keep your Facebook account after scheduling deletion, straightforward log back in using your email and password. Your account will return to normal when ready and the deletion will be cancelled. This works anytime during the 30-day waiting period.
After 30 days have passed, logging in will not work because your account no longer exists. At that point, you would need to create a new Facebook account from scratch if you wanted to use Facebook again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account without waiting 30 days?
No. Facebook requires a 30-day waiting period for all account deletions. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental permanent loss of your account. The only way to speed up the process is to not log back in during those 30 days — once the period ends, deletion is final.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram or WhatsApp accounts. You would need to delete those separately if you want to remove them.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete my account?
Your active listings will be removed and buyers will not be able to contact you. If you have pending sales or messages from buyers, they will lose the ability to reach you. Complete any active transactions before you delete your account, or contact buyers to let them know you are leaving the platform.
Can someone else access my account after I delete it?
No. Once your account is permanently deleted after 30 days, no one can log into it. Your email address will be available to use for a new Facebook account after deletion is complete, but the old account and all its data will be gone.
Do I need to delete my account if I just want to take a break from Facebook?
No. Deactivation is better for a temporary break. Deactivation hides your profile and stops notifications without deleting anything. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in. Only choose deletion if you are certain you do not want to use Facebook again.