Facebook gives you two separate options, and they work very differently
Facebook offers deactivation and permanent deletion, and they are not the same thing. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily — you can reactivate it later by logging back in. Permanent deletion removes your account and all its data from Facebook's servers, though the process takes about 30 days to complete. If you want your account gone for good, you need deletion, not deactivation.
The choice matters because deactivation is reversible and deletion is not. Once you request deletion, you have a 30-day window to change your mind by logging back in. After those 30 days pass, Facebook begins removing your information from its systems. Some data — like messages you sent to other people — may remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your account active; deletion permanently removes it after 30 days.
- To delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find "Deactivation and Deletion" and choose Delete Account.
- You will need to enter your password and solve a security check before Facebook processes your deletion request.
- During the 30-day waiting period, you can log back in to cancel the deletion; after 30 days, the process cannot be reversed.
- Messages you sent to others, photos you shared in groups, and some other content may remain visible to other users even after your account is deleted.
How to start the deletion process on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see Deactivation and Deletion. Click it. You will see two options: one for deactivation and one for deletion. Click the radio button next to Delete Account, then click Continue.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password and solve a security check (usually identifying photos or entering a code sent to your email or phone). Once you complete this step, your deletion request is submitted. Facebook will send you a confirmation email. Your account will remain visible for a short time, then gradually disappear over the next 30 days.
How to start the deletion process on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to Deactivation and Deletion and tap it. Select Delete Account and tap Continue. Enter your password and complete the security check. Your deletion request is now in progress.
The mobile process is identical to desktop — the only difference is how you navigate the menu. Either method works equally well.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
After you request deletion, your profile becomes invisible to other users. Your name will not appear in search results, and people cannot find your profile or message you. However, your account still exists on Facebook's servers during these 30 days.
If you change your mind, log back into Facebook using your email address and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and the deletion request will be cancelled. This is the only way to stop the deletion once it has started. If you do not log in during the 30 days, the deletion becomes permanent after day 30.
Some content you created — like photos you posted in groups or messages you sent to other people — may not disappear even after your account is deleted. This is because that content is stored as part of other people's accounts or group records, not just your own. Facebook cannot remove messages from someone else's inbox or photos from a group's history without affecting their accounts too.
Backing up your information before deletion
Before you delete your account, you may want to save copies of your photos, posts, and messages. Facebook lets you read this data in a single file. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Your Information and Permissions and click read Your Information.
Choose which data you want to read (photos, posts, friends list, messages, and more are all options). Select the date range and file format, then click Create File. Facebook will prepare your data and send you a read link via email. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.
read your information before you request deletion, because once deletion is underway, you cannot access your account to retrieve this data. After your account is deleted, this option will no longer be available to you.
What Facebook does and does not delete
When your account is deleted, Facebook removes your profile, your posts, your photos, your friend list, and your messages from your own account. Your name will no longer appear in other people's friend lists or in search results.
However, Facebook does not remove messages you sent to other people from their inboxes. If you sent someone a photo or a message, they can still see it in their own account. Similarly, if you posted a photo in a group or commented on someone else's post, that content remains visible to group members or to the post's author. Facebook cannot delete content from other people's accounts without their permission.
Ads you ran on Facebook will also be removed, and your advertiser account will be closed. If you used Facebook Login to sign into other websites or apps (like Spotify or Instagram), those accounts will not be deleted — only your Facebook account will be removed. You will need to change your password on those other services if you want to find them.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not ready to permanently delete your account, deactivation may be a better choice. Deactivation hides your profile from other users and removes you from search results, but your account remains on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate it at any time by logging back in.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Facebook without losing your account, or if you are unsure whether you want to delete permanently. Your messages, photos, and posts are not deleted — they are just hidden. When you reactivate, everything returns to normal.
To deactivate instead of delete, follow the same steps but select Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account. The process is when ready and reversible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account if I have an active Meta Business Account?
No. If you manage a business page, ad account, or other Meta business tools, you must transfer ownership or delete those first. Go to your business settings and assign a new owner or remove yourself as an admin before you delete your personal account. If you delete your personal account while you still own business assets, those assets may become inaccessible.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
You can still request deletion without logging in. Go to Facebook's account deletion page directly (search "delete Facebook account" and look for the official Facebook help link), and you can submit a deletion request using your email address. Facebook will send you a confirmation link via email to verify the request.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram account?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Meta owns both. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram too, you must delete that account separately through Instagram's settings.
How long does it actually take for Facebook to fully delete my data?
Facebook says 30 days, but some data may take longer to remove from all of their servers. Backup copies and archived data can persist beyond 30 days. If you are concerned about a specific piece of information, you can contact Facebook's support team after deletion to ask about it, though they may not be able to help once your account is gone.
Can someone else see that I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile is no longer there, but Facebook does not send a notification saying you deleted your account. Your name will straightforward disappear from their friend list and search results. If you want people to know you are leaving, you can message them before you delete.