Facebook gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work differently

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 in case you change your mind — you can reactivate by logging back in anytime within 30 days, and after that your account may still be recoverable for months.

Deletion is permanent. Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from public view. The company says deletion takes about 30 days to fully process, and after that your data cannot be recovered. Some information (like messages you sent to others) may stay in their inboxes, and Facebook keeps logs for legal and security reasons, but your account itself is gone.

Most people who want to "cancel" Facebook actually want deactivation — they're taking a break but might come back. If you're certain you won't return, deletion is the right choice.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; you can reactivate by logging in again within 30 days.
  • Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days, and your account cannot be recovered after that window closes.
  • To deactivate, go to Settings > Your Information > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the prompts.
  • To delete, use the same menu but select Delete Account, then confirm your password and wait 30 days before the deletion is final.
  • read your photos and messages first if you want to keep them — neither deactivation nor deletion sends you a copy automatically.

How to deactivate your Facebook account

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Your Information. You'll see a section called Deactivation and Deletion — click that. Facebook will show you two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account.

Facebook will ask you to pick a reason (you don't have to be honest here), then ask for your password to confirm. You can choose whether to receive email notifications from Facebook while your account is deactivated — most people turn this off. Click Deactivate, and your account is hidden when ready.

Your friends will see that your profile no longer exists. Messages you sent before deactivation stay in their inboxes, but they can't message you or see anything new from you. If you log back in within 30 days, everything reappears exactly as it was.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

The deletion process starts the same way: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Information > Deactivation and Deletion. This time, choose Delete Account. Facebook will ask for your password and show you a warning that deletion is permanent.

After you confirm, Facebook begins a 30-day waiting period. During this time, your profile is hidden from everyone, but the deletion is not yet final. If you log in during these 30 days, the deletion cancels and your account stays active. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently removes your account.

Some data may take longer to disappear from Facebook's servers — the company says it can take up to 90 days for all traces to be fully removed from backups. Messages you sent to other people will still be in their inboxes, and Facebook keeps records for legal compliance, but your account itself will be gone.

Save your photos and messages before you go

Neither deactivation nor deletion automatically sends you a copy of your data. If you want to keep your photos, messages, or posts, read them first. On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Information > read Your Information. Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, messages, posts), then click Request a read.

Facebook will prepare a file with your data — this usually takes a few hours but can take up to a day. You'll get a notification when it's ready, and you can read it as a ZIP file. This file contains your information in a format you can open on your computer. Do this before you deactivate or delete, because once your account is gone, you won't be able to access this tool.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

When you deactivate, your messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they can't see your name or profile picture — it shows as a blank account. When you delete, the same thing happens, except it's permanent. The person you messaged can still read what you wrote, but they can't click through to your profile or send you a reply.

Photos that other people tagged you in will still show up on their profiles and in their albums. Deactivation and deletion don't remove tags from other people's photos — only they can untag you. If you want those photos gone, you'll need to ask the person who posted them to delete or untag you before you deactivate or delete your account.

If you change your mind after deactivating

You have 30 days to reactivate. Just log in to Facebook with your email and password, and your account comes back online with everything intact. Your friends will see your profile again, your messages will be visible, and your posts will reappear. There's no penalty for reactivating — Facebook doesn't limit how many times you can deactivate and reactivate.

After 30 days, reactivation may still be possible for several months, but it's not may provide. If you wait longer than 30 days and then try to log in, Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity or may tell you the account is no longer available. The safest approach is to reactivate within the 30-day window if you think you might come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deactivating delete my messages?

No. Your messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they'll see a blank profile instead of your name and picture. When you reactivate, your messages are still there and people can see them again.

Can someone else use my email after I delete my account?

Yes, but not when ready. After your account is fully deleted (30 days later), someone else can sign up with that email address. If you want to prevent this, change your email to a fake one before you delete, or use a new email for any other accounts you create.

Will deleting Facebook delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.

What if I forgot my password and can't deactivate?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Once you've reset it, you can log in and follow the deactivation or deletion steps.

Does Facebook delete my account if I don't use it?

No. Facebook does not automatically delete inactive accounts. Your account will stay active indefinitely unless you manually deactivate or delete it. However, Facebook may remove old posts or photos under certain circumstances, but your account itself remains.