Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During this window, your profile is hidden from other users but not yet erased from Facebook's servers. After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes your account, photos, messages, and posts. If you simply want to stop using Facebook without losing your data, you can deactivate instead — that hides your profile but keeps everything intact if you return later.
The deletion process itself takes two minutes. You do not need to contact Facebook support or provide a reason. Once you submit the deletion request, you cannot undo it after the 30-day grace period ends.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting your account is permanent after 30 days, while deactivating temporarily hides your profile and preserves all your data.
- You can delete your account through Facebook's settings menu on desktop or mobile, and the process takes about two minutes.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden but you can still log back in and cancel the deletion request.
- Some information like messages you sent to others may remain visible to them even after your account is deleted.
- If you forget your password, you will need to reset it before you can delete your account.
How to delete your account on desktop
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already signed in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. Scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the screen, click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: one to deactivate your account and one to delete it. Click Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to solve a CAPTCHA (the image puzzle that proves you are human). After you complete these steps, click Continue and then Delete account again to confirm.
Your account will be hidden immediately, but the 30-day countdown begins. You can log back in during this period to cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
How to delete your account 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 find Deactivation and deletion and tap it. Select Delete account. You will need to enter your password and may be asked to solve a CAPTCHA. Tap Continue and then Delete account to finish. Your profile will be hidden right away, and you have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
During these 30 days, your profile, photos, and posts are hidden from other Facebook users. Your name will not appear in search results, and people cannot message you or see your timeline. However, you can still log into your account and cancel the deletion request at any time.
Messages you sent to other people before deletion may still be visible to them in their inboxes. Facebook does not remove your sent messages from other users' accounts. If you want to delete specific messages before your account is erased, do that before you submit the deletion request.
After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently deletes your account and everything associated with it. You cannot recover your account, photos, or posts after this point.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not ready to delete your account permanently, deactivation is a reversible option. When you deactivate, your profile becomes invisible to other users, but Facebook keeps all your data. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in with your password.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Facebook without losing your photos, friends list, or message history. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want. Choose deactivation if you think you might return to Facebook in the future.
What to do if you forgot your password
If you cannot log into your account, you cannot delete it directly. Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot password? Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password.
Check your email (or text message) for the reset link and follow the instructions to create a new password. Once you have logged back in, follow the deletion steps above. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, you may need to contact Facebook through their help center, though they cannot delete the account for you — only you can do that.
What information stays visible after deletion
Even after your account is permanently deleted, some traces of your activity may remain. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Comments you made on public pages or groups may still be visible, though they will show as coming from a deleted account rather than your name. Photos you were tagged in by others will remain on their profiles.
If you shared information with third-party apps that use Facebook login, those apps may still have copies of your data. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically remove your information from those services. You may need to delete your account with those apps separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account if I use it to log into other websites?
Yes, but you should change your login method on those other websites first. If you use your Facebook account to sign into Instagram, Spotify, or other services, deleting Facebook will lock you out of those accounts. Before deleting Facebook, log into each service and switch to a different login method or create a new password.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete my account?
Your Marketplace listings will be removed when your account is deleted. If you have active sales or pending transactions, complete them before you delete your account. Buyers will not be able to contact you after your account is gone.
Can Facebook recover my account after the 30 days are up?
No. After 30 days, your account and all associated data are permanently deleted from Facebook's systems. You cannot recover photos, messages, or your account itself. If you think you might want to return to Facebook, deactivate instead of delete.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram account?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account will not affect your Instagram account. However, if you use your Facebook login to access Instagram, you will lose that login method and need to use your Instagram password instead.
How do I know if my account was actually deleted?
Try logging in after the 30-day period ends. If the login fails and Facebook tells you the account does not exist, your deletion is complete. You can also search for your name on Facebook — if your profile does not appear in search results and has not appeared for several weeks, the deletion went through.