You can delete your own photos from Facebook in three taps, but the copy stays in some places
When you delete a photo from Facebook, the image disappears from your profile, from the feed, and from any album you put it in. Facebook removes it from their servers within a few days. But if someone else shared that photo, commented on it with a screenshot, or saved it before you deleted it, that copy stays with them — deletion only removes your version.
The process is the same whether you posted the photo yesterday or five years ago. You do not need to contact Facebook or wait for approval. The deletion is when ready on your end, though it may take a few hours for the image to stop appearing in search results or in other people's cached views.
Key Takeaways
- Open the photo, tap the three dots in the corner, and select Delete Photo — the whole process takes under a minute.
- Deleting a photo removes it from your profile and albums, but not from screenshots, shares, or saves that other people made before you deleted it.
- If you delete a photo that is tagged in someone else's post, the tag disappears but the other person's post stays up.
- You can delete multiple photos at once by going to your profile, opening the album, and using the selection tool.
How to delete a single photo from your phone
Open Facebook and go to the photo you want to delete. This can be a photo on your profile, in your feed, or in an album. Tap the three horizontal dots (called a menu icon) in the upper right corner of the photo.
A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Delete Photo" and tap it. Facebook will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete" again. The photo is now gone from your profile and from Facebook's servers.
How to delete a photo from your computer
Go to your Facebook profile and find the photo. You can search through your albums or scroll through your timeline. Click on the photo to open it in full view.
In the upper right corner of the photo, you will see three dots. Click them to open a menu. Select "Delete Photo" from the list. Confirm the deletion when Facebook asks. The photo is removed when ready.
Deleting photos from albums
If you organized photos into albums (like "Vacation 2023" or "Family"), you can delete them from the album view. Go to your profile, click "Photos," then click the album name. You will see all the photos in that album as thumbnails.
Hover over or tap a photo, and a menu icon will appear. Click or tap it, then select "Delete Photo." You can delete photos one at a time this way, or use the selection tool to delete several at once. On mobile, look for a checkbox icon that lets you select multiple photos before deleting them all together.
What happens to photos you are tagged in
If someone else posted a photo and tagged you in it, you cannot delete that photo — only the person who posted it can. But you can remove your tag from it. Open the photo, tap the three dots, and select "Remove Tag." The photo stays on their profile, but your name no longer appears on it and it will not show up in your tagged photos section.
If you want the photo taken down entirely, you can report it to Facebook or message the person who posted it and ask them to delete it. Facebook will review reports of photos that violate their rules, but a photo of you that you straightforward dislike is usually not removed unless it breaks their policies.
Recovering a deleted photo
Facebook does not have an undo button for deleted photos. Once you confirm the deletion, the photo is gone from your account and cannot be recovered through Facebook itself. If you need the photo back, check your phone's photo library or your computer's backup — your original file is still there even though it is no longer on Facebook.
If you deleted a photo years ago and want it back, you can read your Facebook data to see if an archived copy exists. Go to Settings, then "Your Facebook Information," then "read Your Information." Facebook will create a file of everything you have posted, including deleted photos, though this process takes several days.
Deleting photos from other people's posts
If someone posted a photo that includes you and you want it removed, you have limited options. You cannot delete someone else's post, but you can ask them to take it down. Send them a message or comment on the photo asking them to delete it.
If the photo violates Facebook's rules — for example, it is a nude image shared without consent, or it is harassment — you can report it. Click the three dots on the post and select "Report Post." Choose the reason that best fits the situation. Facebook reviews reports and may remove the photo if it breaks their policies, but they do not remove photos straightforward because someone in the photo dislikes it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a photo delete the comments on it too?
Yes. When you delete a photo, all comments, likes, and reactions on that photo disappear as well. If someone replied to a comment on your photo, those replies are also deleted.
Can I delete a photo if someone shared it?
You can delete your original photo, but the shared version stays on the other person's profile. They posted it separately, so it is their post now. You would need to ask them to delete their share, or report it if it violates Facebook's rules.
What if I delete a photo but it still shows up in search results?
Search engines and Facebook's own search index take time to update. The photo may appear in results for a few hours or even a day after you delete it, but it will disappear once the index refreshes. You cannot speed this up, but the actual photo is already gone from Facebook.
Can I delete all my photos at once?
Facebook does not have a "delete all photos" button. You have to delete them by album or by selecting multiple photos in an album at once. If you have hundreds of photos, this takes time. Some people use third-party tools, but these require you to give them access to your Facebook account, which carries security risks.