Facebook gives you two ways to stop using your account: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages and posts vanish from view, and friends cannot find you. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in — Facebook keeps your data intact for 30 days, then deletes it if you do not return.

Deletion is permanent. After 30 days, Facebook removes your account, posts, photos, and messages from their servers. You cannot undo this. The difference matters because deactivation is reversible if you change your mind, while deletion is not.

Most people choose deactivation first because it lets you step away without losing the option to come back. Deletion is for people who are certain they will not want their account again.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data — you can log back in anytime within 30 days to restore everything.
  • Deletion permanently removes your account and all its content after 30 days, and you cannot undo it.
  • You can deactivate from Settings on desktop or mobile, and the process takes less than a minute.
  • If you delete your account, Facebook may take up to 90 days to remove all copies of your photos and posts from their backup systems.
  • Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account.

How to deactivate your Facebook account on desktop

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and click Continue.

Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for leaving and enter your password to confirm. You can also check the box to have Facebook log you out of all devices. After you click Deactivate, your account is hidden when ready.

How to deactivate your Facebook account on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and deletion and choose Deactivate account.

Enter your password when prompted and tap Deactivate. The process is the same on both iPhone and Android, though the menu location differs slightly between the two.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Deactivation and deletion (the same path as deactivation). This time, choose Delete account instead of Deactivate account. Click Continue.

Facebook will ask you to enter your password and may request a code from your phone or email to verify your identity. After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, you can still log in to cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass, Facebook begins removing your data permanently, though backup copies may take up to 90 days to clear completely.

What happens to your data after deactivation or deletion

When you deactivate, your profile picture, name, and posts disappear from your friends' feeds and search results. However, Facebook stores everything on their servers. If you log back in within 30 days, your account restores exactly as it was. After 30 days of inactivity following deactivation, Facebook deletes the data.

When you delete your account, the 30-day grace period is your final note to change your mind. After it ends, Facebook removes your posts, photos, and profile information from their active systems. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — deletion does not erase conversations from the other person's account. Backup copies of your data may persist in Facebook's systems for up to 90 days before being fully purged.

What you should do before closing your account

read your photos and messages if you want to keep them. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information > read your information. Facebook will prepare a file with your posts, photos, friends list, and messages. This takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. You will receive a notification when it is ready to read.

Tell your close friends and family that you are leaving, especially if they rely on Messenger to reach you. Consider whether you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites — if you do, create passwords for those services first, because you will not be able to use your Facebook login after your account closes.

If you manage a Facebook Page for a business or organization, transfer ownership to someone else before you delete your personal account. A deleted personal account cannot manage a Page, so the Page may become inactive or orphaned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

No. Once the 30-day grace period ends, your account is gone permanently and cannot be restored. During the 30 days, you can log in to cancel the deletion, but after that window closes, Facebook does not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances.

Will my messages disappear from other people's inboxes when I delete my account?

No. Messages you sent stay in the other person's Messenger inbox even after you delete your account. They will see your name as "Facebook User" instead of your profile name, but the conversation history remains on their end.

What if I use Facebook to log into other apps?

You will lose access to any app or website that uses your Facebook login. Before you close your account, create a separate password for each service or link them to a different login method. Check your connected apps in Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites to see what is connected.

How long does it take for Facebook to completely delete my data?

Your account disappears from Facebook within 30 days, but backup copies of your photos and posts may remain in their systems for up to 90 days. After 90 days, Facebook considers the deletion complete, though they may retain some data for legal or security reasons.

Can I deactivate my account without deleting my Instagram account?

Yes. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts. Deactivating or deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram login or data. If you want to close Instagram as well, you must do that separately through Instagram's settings.