Facebook gives you two choices: deactivation or deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your friends can't see your posts. But Facebook keeps your data, and you can reactivate anytime by logging back in. This is the default when most people think they've left.
Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from its servers. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. The difference matters because deactivation is reversible and deletion is not.
Most people who say they "deleted" Facebook actually deactivated it. If you want to truly leave — not pause — you need to follow the deletion path and wait out the 30-day window without logging back in.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to complete, and logging back in during that time cancels the deletion and reactivates your account.
- You can read your photos, posts, and messages before deletion, but Facebook will not send them to you automatically.
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data on Facebook's servers; deletion removes it permanently after the 30-day waiting period.
- Some third-party apps and websites connected to your Facebook login will lose access once your account is gone.
How to request permanent deletion
Go to Settings & Privacy in the menu (the three horizontal lines in the bottom right on mobile, or the down arrow in the top right on desktop). Select Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion on the left sidebar. Choose Delete Account, not Deactivate Account.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password and solve a CAPTCHA to confirm. Then it shows you a message: your account will be deleted, but the process takes about 30 days. During those 30 days, if you log in again, the deletion stops and your account reactivates. Do not log in during this window if you want the deletion to finish.
After 30 days, your profile, photos, posts, and messages are gone. Some information may stay in Facebook's backup systems for a longer period, but it will not be accessible or associated with your account.
read your data before deletion
Facebook lets you read a copy of your photos, posts, friend lists, and messages before the account disappears. This is optional, but it is the only way to keep a record if you want one.
Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information and Permissions, then read Your Information. Choose what to include — photos, posts, messages, comments, and more. Select a date range or leave it as "All Time". Facebook will prepare a file and email you a read link, usually within a few hours but sometimes up to a day.
The file is a ZIP archive containing HTML files and folders organized by content type. You can open it on any computer and browse your history offline. This step takes a few minutes but gives you a backup before deletion erases everything.
What happens to apps and websites linked to your account
Many websites and apps let you sign in with your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. Once your Facebook account is deleted, you lose access to those services unless you have another login method set up.
Before deletion, go through your connected apps. In Settings & Privacy, select Settings, then Apps and Websites, then Active. Review the list and remove any apps you do not use. For apps you want to keep using, create a separate password or link them to another account (like Google or Apple ID) before your Facebook account is gone.
If you forget to do this, you may be locked out of those services. Some apps let you recover access by verifying your email or phone number, but not all do. Taking five minutes to check this list now saves frustration later.
Messenger stays separate from Facebook deletion
Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete Facebook Messenger. Your Messenger account can exist independently, and your contacts may still see you in their chat lists.
If you want to delete Messenger too, go to Settings & Privacy in Messenger, select Settings, then Account, then Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account. This follows the same 30-day waiting period as Facebook itself. You can delete Messenger separately from Facebook, or delete both at the same time.
The 30-day waiting period and what to avoid
Once you request deletion, do not log into Facebook or Messenger during the next 30 days. Logging in cancels the deletion request and reactivates your account. This includes logging in through a third-party app that uses your Facebook credentials.
You also cannot use "Log in with Facebook" on other websites during this time, because it requires accessing your Facebook account. If you need to use a service that only offers Facebook login, either wait until after the 30 days or set up a separate account with that service first.
After 30 days pass without logging in, the deletion is final. Your account and all its data are removed from Facebook's active systems.
Deactivation as a temporary alternative
If you are unsure about permanent deletion, deactivation lets you step back without losing the option to return. Your profile hides from search, your posts disappear from your friends' feeds, and messages stop being delivered. But your account data stays on Facebook's servers.
You can reactivate anytime by logging back in — no waiting period, no recovery process needed. This is useful if you want to take a break but might want your account back later, or if you are testing life without Facebook before making a final choice.
Deactivation is also faster: it takes effect when ready, while deletion requires 30 days. If you just need your profile out of sight quickly, deactivation does that right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my messages after I delete my account?
Your messages are deleted from your account, but they remain in the inboxes of people you messaged with. They can still see the conversation history and your old messages. If you want to erase a message before deletion, you can delete individual messages or entire conversations from your Messenger inbox.
Can someone else use my email or phone number to create a new Facebook account after mine is deleted?
Yes. Once your account is fully deleted after 30 days, the email and phone number are no longer tied to it. Someone else could theoretically create an account with that information. To prevent this, consider changing your email or phone number on the account before deletion, though this is not required.
Will my photos still exist on the internet after I delete Facebook?
Photos you posted only on Facebook will be removed from Facebook's servers. However, if you shared them elsewhere — in emails, on other websites, or if someone else downloaded them — those copies remain. Deletion only removes what Facebook hosts. read your photos first if you want to keep them.
What if I accidentally log in during the 30-day waiting period?
Logging in cancels the deletion and reactivates your account when ready. Your profile, posts, and messages come back. If this happens, you can request deletion again and start a new 30-day waiting period. Just avoid logging in the second time around.
Do I need to delete my Instagram account separately?
Yes. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts, even though they are owned by the same company. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram too, you must go through Instagram's deletion process separately.