How to Delete Your Facebook Account (And What You Should Know First)
Deleting a Facebook account sounds simple — but the process has more layers than most people expect. Facebook offers two distinct paths, and the one you choose has very different consequences. Understanding what each option actually does, and what you'll lose permanently, is worth a few minutes before you click anything.
Deactivation vs. Deletion: They Are Not the Same Thing
This is the most important distinction, and Facebook deliberately keeps both options in the same settings area, which causes confusion.
Deactivation is a pause. Your profile disappears from search, your timeline goes dark, and friends can't find you — but your data stays on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate at any time just by logging back in. Messenger access can also be preserved during deactivation if you choose.
Deletion is permanent — eventually. Facebook gives you a 30-day grace period after you request deletion. During those 30 days, if you log back in, the deletion request is automatically cancelled and your account is restored in full. After 30 days, Facebook begins the actual removal process, which can take up to 90 additional days for your data to be fully purged from their backup systems.
If you're on the fence, deactivation is the reversible test run. If you're certain, deletion is the permanent exit.
How to Delete Facebook on Desktop 🖥️
- Log into Facebook and click your profile picture in the top-right corner
- Go to Settings & Privacy → Settings
- In the left-hand menu, select Your Facebook Information
- Click Deactivation and Deletion
- Select Delete Account, then click Continue to Account Deletion
- Click Delete Account and confirm with your password
Facebook will show you a summary of what you'll lose and give you options to download your data before proceeding.
How to Delete Facebook on Mobile (iOS and Android) 📱
The steps are slightly different depending on your app version, but the general path is:
- Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) — usually bottom-right on iOS, top-right on Android
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy → Settings
- Tap Personal and Account Information (or Your Facebook Information on some versions)
- Tap Account Ownership and Control → Deactivation and Deletion
- Select Delete Account, then follow the confirmation steps
Facebook's mobile app UI updates frequently, so exact menu labels may shift slightly between app versions.
Download Your Data Before You Delete
Before initiating deletion, download a copy of everything Facebook has stored on you. This includes photos, videos, posts, messages, and the ad data profile Facebook has built about you.
To download: go to Settings → Your Facebook Information → Download Your Information. You can select the format (HTML for browsing, JSON for data portability) and choose a date range or specific data categories. Depending on how long you've been on Facebook, this file can take anywhere from minutes to several hours to prepare — Facebook will email you when it's ready.
Once your account is deleted, that data is gone. There's no retrieval path after the 30-day cancellation window closes.
What Gets Deleted — And What Doesn't
| Data Type | What Happens After Deletion |
|---|---|
| Profile, timeline, photos | Removed |
| Messages you sent to others | May remain in their inboxes |
| Comments on others' posts | Typically removed |
| Facebook Login on third-party apps | Access revoked — you may lose those accounts |
| Marketplace listings | Removed |
| Facebook Pages you admin | Deleted if you're the sole admin |
| Business Ad Accounts | Not automatically deleted — separate process |
The Facebook Login point is particularly important. If you've used "Login with Facebook" to create accounts on other websites or apps, deleting Facebook will break those login connections. Before deleting, visit each of those services and either set a password directly or link a different login method.
Business and Page Admins: Additional Considerations
If you manage a Facebook Page, Business Manager account, or ad account, deleting your personal profile doesn't automatically delete those. Pages with only one admin will be deleted along with your account — but Business Manager assets, ad accounts, and pages with multiple admins can persist independently or be orphaned depending on the setup.
If your Facebook presence is tied to professional use, business operations, or a community you manage, the account deletion process involves more steps than a personal account exit.
The Variables That Change Your Experience
How straightforward deletion is depends on a few factors:
- Account age and activity: Older accounts with more connected services, pages, and ad accounts have more to untangle
- Third-party app connections: The more apps you've linked via Facebook Login, the more cleanup is required beforehand
- Business assets: Accounts tied to ad accounts or Business Manager need those addressed separately
- Two-factor authentication: If you've lost access to your 2FA method, recovering account access to initiate deletion can become a process in itself
- Linked Instagram: Facebook and Instagram accounts can be linked but are separate accounts — deleting Facebook doesn't delete Instagram
For a basic personal account with no connected apps or business assets, deletion is usually a 10-minute process. For accounts deeply integrated into other platforms and services, it can require meaningful advance preparation.
What makes the right approach depend on your situation is the exact mix of services, logins, and data tied to your account — and only you can see the full picture of what you'd be walking away from.