The difference between disabling and deleting your Facebook account

Facebook offers two separate paths, and they work very differently. Disabling your account hides your profile, posts, and photos from other people, but Facebook keeps all your data and you can reactivate whenever you log back in. Deleting your account is permanent — after 30 days, Facebook removes your information from their servers, and you cannot get it back.

Most people choose to disable first if they are unsure. You get a 30-day window to change your mind. If you delete and then want your account back within those 30 days, you can contact Facebook to stop the deletion. After 30 days, the deletion is final.

Choose disabling if you want a break but might return. Choose deleting if you are certain you do not want a Facebook account anymore and do not want Facebook storing your data.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling hides your account but keeps your data on Facebook's servers, and you can reactivate by logging in again at any time.
  • Deleting removes your account permanently after 30 days, though you can cancel the deletion during that window if you change your mind.
  • On mobile, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find Deactivation and Deletion; on desktop, use the menu in the top right corner.
  • Before you disable or delete, download your photos and posts if you want to keep copies, because Facebook will not send them to you automatically.
  • Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you disable or delete your account.

How to disable your Facebook account on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down until you see a section labeled Account Ownership and Control. Tap Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Tap Deactivate Account.

Facebook will ask you why you are leaving and offer suggestions to stay. Ignore these and continue. Enter your password to confirm, then tap Deactivate. Your account is now hidden from view. You will receive a confirmation email.

How to disable your Facebook account on a computer

Log into Facebook on your web browser. Click the downward arrow or circle with your profile picture in the top right corner. Scroll down and click Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side, click Personal Information, then click Account Ownership and Control. Click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account and click Continue.

Facebook will show you a screen asking why you are leaving. You do not have to answer this question. Click through to the next screen, enter your password, and click Deactivate. Your account is now disabled.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

The steps to start a deletion are almost identical to disabling. On your phone, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, then tap Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. On a computer, follow the same path but click Delete Account.

Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and show you what will happen: your profile, photos, posts, and videos will be removed. Messages you sent to others will stay in their inboxes. Enter your password and click or tap Delete Account.

Your account enters a 30-day deletion window. During this time, your profile is hidden from public view, but your data still exists on Facebook's servers. If you log back in during these 30 days, the deletion will stop and your account will reactivate. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently removes your information.

How to cancel a deletion if you change your mind

If you deleted your account but want it back, you have 30 days from the deletion date to stop the process. Simply log into Facebook using your email and password. Your account will reactivate immediately, and the deletion will be cancelled.

You do not need to contact Facebook or do anything else — logging in is enough. After the 30-day window closes, you cannot recover the account or any of its data.

Download your photos and posts before you disable or delete

Facebook does not automatically send you copies of your photos, videos, or posts when you disable or delete. If you want to keep these, download them first. On your phone or computer, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings. Click or tap Personal Information, then Download Your Information.

Facebook will show you options for what to download: photos, videos, posts, comments, and more. Select what you want and choose a file format (HTML or JSON). Click Request Download. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a link by email, usually within a few hours. Download the file and save it to your computer or phone before you disable or delete your account.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos after you disable or delete

Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. They can still read what you wrote and reply to you, though you will not see their replies if your account is disabled. If your account is deleted, they can still see your old messages, but they cannot message you back.

Photos that other people tagged you in stay on their profiles and in their albums. Disabling or deleting your account does not remove tags or photos that belong to someone else. If you want those removed, you must ask the person who posted them to untag you or delete the photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I disable it?

Yes. You can reactivate your disabled account anytime by logging in with your email and password. Your profile, photos, posts, and friends list will return exactly as they were. There is no time limit on reactivation.

What if I forget my password before I disable or delete my account?

You can still reset your password using your email address or phone number. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgot Password, and follow the steps to reset it. Once you have access again, you can proceed with disabling or deleting.

Will my friends know I disabled my account?

Your profile will disappear from their view, but Facebook does not send them a notification. They may notice you are no longer visible when they search for you or look at their friends list. If your account is deleted, the same applies.

Do I lose my Messenger account if I disable or delete Facebook?

Disabling Facebook does not disable Messenger — you can still use it to send and receive messages. If you delete your Facebook account, Messenger becomes inactive, though people can still see your old messages. You cannot use Messenger to send new messages after deletion.

What if I have a business page or ads running on my account?

Disabling or deleting your personal account does not automatically affect a business page you manage, but it may affect your ability to access it depending on how it is set up. Before you disable or delete, log into your business page settings and make sure another admin has full access, or transfer ownership to someone else.