You can delete a second Facebook profile through your account settings, but the process is permanent and takes up to 90 days to complete
Facebook lets you manage multiple profiles from one email address, but if you want to remove one, you'll need to go through the account deletion process. Once you start deletion, you have 30 days to change your mind — after that, Facebook removes all your posts, photos, friends list, and messages permanently. The actual removal from Facebook's servers takes another 60 days.
The steps are straightforward, but you need to know which profile you're deleting before you start. If you have more than one profile and log out of the wrong one, you'll end up deleting the account you meant to keep. This section walks you through identifying the right profile and starting the deletion.
Key Takeaways
- You have 30 days after requesting deletion to cancel the process and keep your profile — after that, deletion is permanent.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden from Facebook but your messages remain in other people's inboxes.
- The deletion process takes up to 90 days total, though most profiles are removed within a few weeks.
- You cannot delete a profile while you're logged into it — you must log out first, then log back in as the account owner to request deletion.
Log into the profile you want to delete
Open Facebook and sign out of any profile you're currently using. Then log in using the email address and password for the second profile you want to remove. Make sure you're logged into the correct account — this is the most common mistake people make, and it's the reason you end up deleting the wrong profile.
If you've forgotten the password for the second profile, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Facebook will send a reset link to the email address associated with that account. You need access to that email to proceed.
Open Settings and find the deactivation option
Once you're logged in, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook (on desktop) or tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (on mobile). Select Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page. You'll see a section labeled Your Information and Permissions or similar. Under that section, look for Deactivation and Deletion. Click or tap on it.
Choose deletion instead of deactivation
Facebook offers two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. These are different. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily — you can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes all your data.
If you want the profile gone for good, select Delete Account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password. Enter it and proceed. If you only want to hide the profile for now and might use it again later, choose Deactivation instead — but understand that deactivated accounts can be reactivated at any time.
Confirm deletion and wait out the 30-day window
After you select deletion, Facebook shows you a confirmation screen explaining what will happen. Read it carefully. Your profile picture, posts, photos, and friend list will all be removed. Messages you sent to other people will stay in their inboxes, but they won't be able to see your profile or click your name.
Click Delete Account one more time to confirm. Facebook will send a confirmation email to the address associated with that profile. You now have 30 days to change your mind. If you log back into that account within 30 days, the deletion request cancels and your profile stays active.
After 30 days pass, Facebook begins removing your data from its servers. This process takes another 60 days, so the total time from deletion request to complete removal is up to 90 days. During this time, your profile is not visible to anyone, but the deletion is still reversible for the first month.
What happens to messages and tagged photos
When your profile is deleted, messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes, but your name becomes a link to a deleted account. They can still read what you wrote, but they can't click your profile or see your information. If someone tagged you in a photo before deletion, that tag disappears, but the photo itself stays on their profile.
If you were an admin of a Facebook Group or Page, deletion removes you from that role. The Group or Page continues to exist, but you no longer have control over it. If you're the only admin, the Group or Page may become inactive, but Facebook doesn't automatically delete it.
Recover your profile if you change your mind
You have 30 days from the deletion request to log back in and cancel the process. Use the email address and password for that profile on the Facebook login page. If the login works, your profile is still in the recovery window. Once you're logged in, go back to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion and select Cancel Deletion. Your profile, posts, and friends list will return immediately.
After 30 days, you cannot recover the profile. Facebook will not restore deleted accounts or data, even if you contact them. If you think you might need the profile again, deactivate it instead of deleting it — deactivated accounts can be reactivated anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a Facebook profile without logging into it?
No. You must log into the account you want to delete and request deletion from that account's settings. Facebook does not allow deletion from another account, even if you're the owner of both profiles.
What if I deleted a profile by mistake?
If you deleted it within the last 30 days, log back in with that account's email and password, go to Settings, and select Cancel Deletion. If more than 30 days have passed, Facebook cannot restore it. You would need to create a new profile.
Will deleting a profile affect my other Facebook accounts?
No. Each profile is separate. Deleting one profile does not affect your other accounts, even if they share the same email address or phone number. Your other profiles will continue to work normally.
Does Facebook delete my profile immediately?
No. Your profile becomes hidden right away, but Facebook takes up to 90 days to remove all your data from its servers. During the first 30 days, you can still recover it. After 30 days, deletion is permanent, but the data removal process continues in the background.
What happens to my messages when my profile is deleted?
Messages you sent stay in other people's inboxes, but your name becomes a link to a deleted account. They can read your messages but cannot click your profile or see your information. Messages you received are deleted from your account.