Deleting the Facebook app removes it from your device, but your account stays active unless you deactivate or delete it separately

Removing the Facebook app from your phone is straightforward — it takes about 30 seconds. But the app and your account are two different things. Deleting the app from your device does not close your account, log you out everywhere, or stop Facebook from collecting data about you through other apps and websites. If you want the app gone but plan to use Facebook on a web browser later, deletion alone is enough. If you want to stop using Facebook entirely, you will need to take a separate step after removing the app.

Understanding this distinction matters because many people delete the app thinking their account is gone, then are surprised to find their profile still visible to others or their data still being collected. This guide walks you through the actual steps for your phone type, what happens to your account afterward, and how to fully close your account if that is what you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting the Facebook app from your phone takes less than a minute and works the same way on iPhone and Android devices.
  • Removing the app does not deactivate your account or stop Facebook from tracking you on other apps and websites.
  • If you want to stop using Facebook completely, you must deactivate or permanently delete your account through the website or app settings before uninstalling.
  • Deactivating your account hides your profile temporarily and can be reversed; deleting it is permanent after 30 days.
  • You can read a copy of your photos, messages, and posts before you delete the app or account.

How to delete the Facebook app on iPhone

On an iPhone, press and hold the Facebook app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App," then select "Remove from Home Screen" if you only want it off your home screen, or "Delete App" if you want it completely removed from your phone. A confirmation window will ask if you are sure — tap "Delete" to confirm.

If you cannot find the app on your home screen, it may be in a folder or in your app library. You can also go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, scroll down to find Facebook, and tap it. Select "Offload App" to remove it while keeping your data, or "Delete App" to remove it entirely. Either way, your Facebook account remains active on Facebook's servers.

How to delete the Facebook app on Android

On Android, press and hold the Facebook app icon until a menu appears. Tap "Uninstall" or the trash icon, depending on your phone model. Confirm that you want to uninstall the app. The app will be removed from your device, but your account will still exist.

If you do not see an uninstall option when you hold the icon, go to Settings, tap Apps or process Manager, find Facebook in the list, and tap it. Select "Uninstall" and confirm. Some Android phones come with Facebook pre-installed; in that case, you may only be able to "Disable" the app rather than fully uninstall it, which prevents it from running but keeps it on your device.

What happens to your account when you delete the app

Deleting the app does not log you out of Facebook on other devices or browsers. If you have Facebook open in a web browser on your computer, you will stay logged in. If you log into Facebook on another phone or tablet, you can still access your account. Facebook also continues to track your activity on other apps and websites through its tracking pixels and the Facebook SDK — a piece of code that many apps use to measure how people interact with them.

Your messages, photos, and posts remain on Facebook's servers. People can still see your profile, send you messages, and tag you in photos unless you have already changed your privacy settings. Your account will appear in search results and in other people's friend lists.

Deactivating your account versus deleting the app

If you want to step back from Facebook without erasing your account permanently, you can deactivate it. Deactivation hides your profile, removes you from search results, and stops notifications — but you can reactivate anytime within a certain period by logging back in. Your messages and photos stay on Facebook's servers during deactivation.

To deactivate, open the Facebook app or website, go to Settings, scroll to "Account Ownership and Control," and tap "Deactivation and Deletion." Choose "Deactivate Account," follow the prompts, and select a reason. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password.

Permanent deletion is different. If you choose "Delete Account" instead of deactivate, your account will be fully removed after 30 days. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days, your photos, messages, and posts are gone. Some information may remain in Facebook's backups for a longer period, but it will not be visible to other users.

Downloading your data before you delete

Before you remove the app or delete your account, you can read a copy of everything Facebook has about you — your photos, videos, messages, posts, and friend list. This takes a few minutes and gives you a backup in case you change your mind later.

To read your data, open Facebook on a web browser (not the app), go to Settings, select "Your Information," and tap "read Your Information." Choose the date range and file format you want, then click "Create File." Facebook will prepare a compressed folder with all your data and send you a read link, usually within a few hours. You can then save this file to your computer or cloud storage.

Reinstalling the app later

If you delete the Facebook app and later decide you want it back, you can reinstall it anytime. On iPhone, go to the App Store, search for Facebook, and tap "Get" then "Install." On Android, go to Google Play, search for Facebook, and tap "Install." When you open the app, you can log back in with your username and password. Your account, messages, and photos will be exactly as you left them.

If you had deactivated your account before reinstalling, logging back in will reactivate it automatically. If you had deleted your account and the 30-day window has passed, you cannot recover it — you would need to create a new account from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting the Facebook app delete my account?

No. Deleting the app removes it from your phone, but your account stays active on Facebook's servers. People can still message you, see your profile, and tag you in photos. To close your account, you must deactivate or delete it separately through settings.

Can Facebook still track me after I delete the app?

Yes. Facebook tracks your activity on other apps and websites through tracking pixels and code called the Facebook SDK. Deleting the app does not stop this. To limit tracking, you can change your privacy settings in the app before you delete it, or use your phone's built-in privacy controls to restrict app permissions.

What is the difference between deactivating and deleting my Facebook account?

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily and can be reversed by logging back in. Deletion is permanent after 30 days — your photos, messages, and posts are removed. During the 30-day window, you can cancel deletion by logging in again.

If I delete the app, will I still get Facebook notifications?

No. Deleting the app stops app notifications on your phone. However, if you have Facebook open in a web browser or logged in on another device, you may still receive notifications there. To stop all notifications, you must deactivate your account or change notification settings in your account.

Can I read my photos and messages before I delete the app?

Yes. Go to Facebook on a web browser, open Settings, select "Your Information," and tap "read Your Information." Choose your date range and format, and Facebook will prepare a file with all your data. You can read this file to your computer or cloud storage before you delete the app or account.