Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages go dark, and friends cannot see your posts or photos. Facebook keeps your data in case you change your mind — you can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days. After 30 days, the account stays deactivated but your data remains stored.

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, though some data tied to other accounts (like tagged photos) may stay visible. You cannot reactivate a deleted account, and you cannot recover your data once the process completes.

Most people choose deactivation first if they are unsure. It stops the account from being used without erasing anything. Deletion is the choice if you want Facebook to remove your presence entirely and do not plan to return.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account for up to 30 days and can be reversed by logging in again; deletion is permanent and takes about 30 days to fully process.
  • To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the prompts.
  • To delete, use the same menu path but select Delete Account instead, then confirm your choice after waiting a few days.
  • Facebook keeps some data even after deletion, including information tied to other people's accounts like tagged photos or messages you sent.
  • read your photos and messages before deleting if you want to keep copies — Facebook provides a read tool in Settings.

How to deactivate your account on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

On the left side menu, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for leaving (optional), then ask you to re-enter your password to confirm. Click Deactivate. Your account is now hidden.

If you change your mind within 30 days, straightforward log back in with your email and password. Your profile, friends list, and all content will return to normal.

How to deactivate on mobile (iPhone or Android)

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and tap Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account, select a reason if you wish, re-enter your password, and tap Deactivate. Your account is now deactivated.

How to permanently delete your account

Follow the same path as deactivation: Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. This time, choose Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. Facebook will show you a message explaining that deletion is permanent and takes about 30 days.

You must wait several days before Facebook will let you confirm the deletion. During this waiting period, you can still cancel by logging back in. After you confirm, the deletion process begins. Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from public view over the next 30 days, though some data may take longer to disappear from backups.

One important note: if you have a Facebook Business Page, deleting your personal account does not automatically delete the business page. You must delete the business page separately through its own settings.

Save your photos and messages before you go

Facebook offers a tool to read copies of your photos, videos, posts, and messages. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings, then find Your Information and Permissions on the left menu. Click read Your Information.

Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, videos, posts, messages, etc.), then select a file format. Facebook will prepare a read file and email you a link. This process can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have. read the file and save it to your computer before you delete your account.

This step is especially important if you have years of photos or messages you want to keep. Once your account is deleted, you cannot recover this data through Facebook.

What happens to your data after deletion

Facebook removes your profile and most of your content from public view within 30 days. However, the company keeps some information: messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes, photos where you are tagged stay visible (though your name may be removed from the tag), and comments you made on other people's posts may remain.

If you used your Facebook login to sign into other apps or websites (like Spotify, Pinterest, or gaming sites), those connections will break. You will need to create new passwords or use a different login method for those services.

Copies of your data may also exist in Facebook's backup systems for a limited time. The company says these backups are deleted within 90 days, though you have no way to verify this.

If you want to keep using Facebook but reduce your presence

Deletion is not your only option if you want less Facebook in your life. You can delete individual posts, untag yourself from photos, limit who sees your profile, or adjust your privacy settings to show less information to friends and strangers.

You can also mute friends or pages so their posts stop appearing in your feed without unfriending them. If you want to step back without disappearing entirely, consider deactivating for a month to see how you feel, then deciding whether to reactivate or delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

No. Deletion is permanent. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. If you think you might want to return, choose deactivation instead — you have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in.

Will my friends know I deleted my account?

Your profile will disappear from their view, but Facebook does not send a notification saying you deleted your account. They may notice your profile is gone if they try to visit it or search for you.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger after I delete my account?

Your messages remain in other people's inboxes, but you will not be able to send or receive new messages. If you want to keep using Messenger to contact friends, you can deactivate instead of deleting.

Do I need to delete my Instagram account too?

No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram, you must do that separately through Instagram's settings.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" on the login screen. Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you regain access, you can proceed with deactivation or deletion.