Facebook gives you two different ways to remove your account, and they work very differently
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages vanish from other people's inboxes, and your posts are no longer visible. But Facebook keeps all your data. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, the account stays deactivated but recoverable for up to one year.
Deletion is permanent. Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from public view. The company says it takes up to 90 days to fully delete all backups from their servers. You cannot recover a deleted account — logging in is impossible once the process completes.
Most people choose deactivation by accident because it is the default option Facebook shows you. If you want the account gone for good, you have to specifically request deletion instead.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps all your data recoverable for up to one year; deletion removes everything permanently after 90 days.
- Facebook's settings menu defaults to showing you deactivation, so you must actively choose deletion if you want the account gone for good.
- Before you delete, read your photos and messages if you want to keep copies — Facebook will not send them to you afterward.
- Messenger stays active for 30 days after deactivation even if you do not reactivate your account, so people can still contact you during that window.
- Third-party apps and websites that use your Facebook login will lose access once your account is deleted.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Open Facebook on a computer (the mobile app does not show all the same options). Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion.
Facebook will show you two options side by side: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Click Deactivate Account. The site will ask you to choose a reason (you do not have to answer honestly) and offer to email you reminders to come back. Click Deactivate to confirm.
Your account is now hidden. You can reactivate it anytime within 30 days by logging in with your email and password. After 30 days, reactivation is still possible but requires you to contact Facebook support.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Follow the same path: downward arrow, Settings and Privacy, Settings, Deactivation and Deletion. This time, click Delete Account. Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and ask you to confirm your password.
Once you click Delete, the process begins when ready. Your profile disappears from search results and other people's friend lists within minutes. Facebook says it takes up to 90 days to remove all copies from their backup servers, but you cannot access the account during that time.
If you change your mind in the first 30 days, you can contact Facebook support and request that they stop the deletion. After 30 days, recovery is not possible.
Save your photos and messages before you delete
Facebook offers a tool called read Your Information that lets you save copies of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before deletion. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll down to find Your Information and Permissions. Click read Your Information.
Choose the date range (usually "All of my information"), select which categories you want (photos, messages, posts, etc.), and pick a file format. Facebook will prepare a compressed file and email you a read link. Depending on how much data you have, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
Do this before you delete your account. Once deletion is complete, you cannot retrieve this information from Facebook.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
When you deactivate, your messages stay in other people's inboxes but show as coming from "Facebook User" instead of your name. People can still see conversations with you, but they cannot click through to your profile. If you reactivate within 30 days, your name reappears.
When you delete, your messages remain in other people's inboxes with your name still attached, but they cannot reply to you or see your profile. Photos that other people tagged you in stay visible — deletion only removes photos you posted yourself.
Messenger continues to work for 30 days after deactivation even if you do not reactivate your account. After that, people can no longer send you messages. If you delete instead, Messenger access ends when ready.
Apps and websites that use your Facebook login
Many websites and apps let you log in using your Facebook account instead of creating a separate username. When you delete your Facebook account, you lose access to those services unless you set up a different login method first.
Before you delete, go through any apps or websites you use regularly and change your password to something that does not depend on Facebook. Check your Apps and Websites section in Facebook Settings to see what has permission to use your account.
Deactivation does not affect these logins — they keep working as long as your account is deactivated. Only deletion breaks the connection.
The difference between deleting Facebook and deleting the app
Deleting the Facebook app from your phone does nothing to your account. The app is just software on your device. Your account stays active on Facebook's servers, and you can log back in anytime from a web browser or a different device.
If you want to stop using Facebook but are not ready to delete your account, deactivation is the middle ground. You can also just log out of the app and delete it from your phone — your account will remain active but you will not see notifications or messages unless you log back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account from the mobile app?
The Facebook app does not show the deletion option clearly. Use a web browser on a computer instead. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Delete Account. The mobile browser version of Facebook also works if you do not have access to a computer.
What if I deactivate but want to delete later?
You can delete a deactivated account anytime. Log back in, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Delete Account. You do not have to reactivate first — the deletion option is available even while your account is deactivated.
Will Facebook sell my data after I delete my account?
Facebook says it does not sell personal data to third parties, though it does use data to target ads to other users. After deletion, the company says it removes your information from active systems within 90 days. Data already shared with other apps or websites before deletion stays with those services.
Can someone else use my email to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. Once your account is fully deleted, the email address is no longer tied to Facebook and can be used to create a new account. If you want to prevent this, consider using a temporary email address or one you no longer use.
Does deactivating hide me from people searching for me?
Yes. When you deactivate, your profile does not appear in Facebook search results or in other people's friend suggestions. Your name still appears in old comments and posts you made before deactivation, but people cannot click to view your profile.