Facebook gives you two separate options: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation temporarily hides your account. Your profile, photos, and posts disappear from Facebook, but the company keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within 30 days. After 30 days, Facebook begins deleting your information, though some data tied to other people's posts or messages may remain.

Deletion is permanent. You request it through Facebook's settings, and after 30 days, your account and nearly all associated data are gone. You cannot reactivate a deleted account. The 30-day waiting period exists because Facebook processes deletion requests in batches — you can cancel during those 30 days if you change your mind.

Most people who want to leave Facebook should choose deletion, not deactivation. Deactivation is useful only if you think you might return or want to pause without losing the option to come back.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account temporarily and lets you reactivate within 30 days, while deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
  • To delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find "Deactivation and Deletion" and choose the delete option.
  • Facebook keeps some data even after deletion if it is tied to other people's messages, posts, or accounts, but your profile and personal posts are removed.
  • During the 30-day waiting period after requesting deletion, you can cancel the request by logging back in, but after 30 days the deletion is final.

How to delete your account through Facebook's settings

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and log in. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down the left sidebar until you see "Deactivation and Deletion." Click or tap it. You will see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account." Select "Delete Account." Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm.

After you confirm, Facebook shows a screen explaining what happens next. It tells you that deletion takes about 30 days and that some information may remain if it is part of other people's messages or posts. Click or tap "Delete Account" again to confirm. That is the final step — your deletion request is now submitted.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

For 30 days after you request deletion, your account is in a pending state. Your profile is no longer visible to other users, and your posts are hidden. However, Facebook has not yet erased your data from its servers.

If you change your mind during these 30 days, log back into Facebook with your email and password. Your account will reactivate immediately, and the deletion request will be cancelled. After you log in, your profile, photos, and posts return to normal. This window exists because Facebook processes deletion requests in batches rather than instantly.

After 30 days pass without you logging back in, Facebook begins permanently deleting your account information. Once this process starts, you cannot undo it. The deletion is final.

What data Facebook keeps after deletion

Facebook removes your profile, name, photos, and posts from its visible platform. However, the company retains some information even after deletion. If you sent a message to someone, that message may remain in their inbox. If you commented on a public post or a friend's photo before deletion, that comment may stay visible with your name attached.

Facebook also keeps records of activity for legal and safety reasons — for example, if your account was reported for violating their policies, records of that report may be retained. Additionally, if you made purchases through Facebook or used Facebook Login to sign into other apps, some transaction records may persist.

Your data is not sold or shared with third parties after deletion, but Facebook's retention of certain information is not something you can control through the deletion process. If you want to remove specific comments or messages before deleting, do that first while your account is still active.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

Deactivation is useful if you want to step away from Facebook but are not certain about leaving permanently. When you deactivate, your profile disappears from search results and your friends cannot see your posts or send you messages. However, Facebook keeps all your data intact on its servers.

You can reactivate your account anytime within 30 days by logging back in. After 30 days, Facebook begins deleting your information, similar to the deletion process. The key difference is that reactivation is simpler than deletion — you just log in, and everything returns.

Deactivation is also less final if you use Facebook for business purposes, marketplace sales, or to stay connected to specific groups. You can pause without losing the option to return if circumstances change.

Removing your data from Facebook before deletion

Before you delete your account, consider downloading your information. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to "Your Information and Permissions" and select "Download Your Information." Facebook lets you choose what to download — photos, posts, messages, and more. This creates a file you can save to your computer.

You can also manually delete posts, photos, and comments before requesting account deletion. This is not required, but it gives you control over what remains visible during the 30-day waiting period. Go to your profile, find each post or photo, click the three dots, and select "Delete."

If you used Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, those connections will break when your account is deleted. Before deletion, change your passwords on any apps or sites that used Facebook Login, so you maintain access after your Facebook account is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account on my phone?

Yes. Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, scroll to "Deactivation and Deletion," and select "Delete Account." The process is the same as on a computer.

What if I forget my password before deleting?

You will need your password to confirm deletion. Go to the Facebook login page, click "Forgotten Password," and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number. Once you have reset your password, you can proceed with deletion.

Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts, even though Meta owns all three. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete each account separately if you want to remove all three.

Can someone else see my deleted account?

No. After the 30-day period ends, your profile is not visible to anyone. However, comments or messages you left on other people's posts before deletion may still appear with your name attached, depending on their privacy settings.

How long does it take for Facebook to completely delete my account?

Facebook says deletion takes about 30 days from the date you request it. During this time, your account is hidden but not yet permanently erased. After 30 days, the deletion is complete and cannot be reversed.