Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your timeline goes dark, and friends can't message you. But Facebook keeps your data. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, the account stays deleted — but Facebook still holds your information for legal and business reasons.
Deletion is permanent. You request it, wait 30 days, and then your account and associated data are removed from Facebook's servers. You cannot undo this. After the 30-day window closes, there is no recovery option. Messages you sent to others remain visible to them, but your profile and your copy of those conversations vanish.
Most people choose deactivation first because it's reversible. You delete if you're certain you won't return, or if you want Facebook to stop storing your information entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and is reversible if you log back in; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the prompts.
- To delete permanently, select Delete Account in the same menu, enter your password, and wait 30 days for Facebook to remove your data.
- Messages you sent to others remain visible to them even after deletion; only your profile and your access to those conversations disappear.
- Download your photos, videos, and posts before deletion if you want to keep copies — Facebook will not send them to you after the account is gone.
How to deactivate your account (temporary)
Open Facebook on a computer or phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop in the top right). Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
On the left sidebar, find Deactivation and Deletion. Click it. You'll see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Select Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask why you're leaving — you can skip this or choose a reason. Enter your password to confirm. Choose whether to receive emails from Facebook. Then click Deactivate.
Your account is now hidden. If you change your mind within 30 days, log back in with your email and password, and your account reactivates immediately. After 30 days without logging in, the deactivation becomes permanent, though Facebook retains your data.
How to permanently delete your account
Follow the same path: Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. This time, select Delete Account. Facebook will warn you that deletion is permanent and explain what happens to your data. Enter your password. Click Delete.
You now have 30 days to change your mind. If you log in during this window, the deletion request cancels and your account stays active. After 30 days pass, Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from its servers. Your account cannot be recovered.
The 30-day waiting period exists partly as a safety measure — if someone gains access to your account and deletes it, you have time to reclaim it. Use this window to download anything you want to keep.
Saving your photos and posts before deletion
Facebook offers a download tool called Download Your Information. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > scroll down to Your Information and Permissions > Download Your Information. Select the date range (usually "All of My Information"), choose which categories to include (photos, videos, posts, messages), and select a file format. Facebook will prepare a compressed file and email you a download link, usually within a few hours.
This file contains copies of your posts, photos, and messages as they appeared on your account. It does not include comments others left on your posts or messages from conversations — only your side. Download this before you delete, because once the account is gone, you cannot retrieve this information from Facebook.
What happens to your messages and tagged photos
When you delete your account, messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes. The sender name shows as a Facebook user ID number instead of your name, but the message text stays. Friends can still see it and reply, though you won't receive the reply.
Photos and videos that others tagged you in also remain. Your name no longer appears in the tag, but the image stays on their timeline or in albums. If you want those removed, you must ask the person who posted them to delete or untag you before your account is gone.
Comments you left on public pages or in groups may also persist, depending on the page's settings. Deletion removes your profile but not necessarily every trace of your activity across Facebook's ecosystem.
Deactivation versus deletion: which one to choose
Choose deactivation if you want a break but might return, if you're not sure about leaving permanently, or if you want to keep your account data on Facebook's servers in case you change your mind. Deactivation is also useful if you want to step back from Facebook but stay on Instagram or WhatsApp (both owned by Meta) without losing those accounts.
Choose deletion if you're certain you won't use Facebook again, if you want Facebook to stop storing your personal information, or if you have privacy concerns about your data remaining on their servers. Deletion is permanent, so only choose it if you're ready to lose access to your account forever.
Some people deactivate first for a month, then delete if they don't miss it. This approach lets you test whether you actually want to leave before making the irreversible choice.
What Facebook keeps after you delete
Facebook states that it deletes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from its main servers after 30 days. However, the company also says it retains some information for legal compliance, fraud prevention, and to honor user requests (like if someone asks Facebook to remove a photo you posted of them). This retained data is not accessible to you or visible on your profile.
Copies of your information may also exist in Facebook's backup systems for a limited time. The company does not specify exactly how long these backups persist. If you have serious privacy concerns, deletion removes your active account, but understand that some residual data may remain in Facebook's systems for operational reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?
No. Once the 30-day deletion period ends, your account is gone permanently. You cannot recover it. If you log in during the 30 days, the deletion cancels and your account stays active, but after that window closes, there is no way to restore it.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
They will notice your profile is gone, but Facebook does not send them a notification. If they try to visit your profile or search for you, they'll see that your account no longer exists. Messages you sent them remain in their inboxes, but your name will show as a user ID number instead.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings or group memberships?
Active Marketplace listings are removed when your account is deleted. Group memberships end, and your posts in groups disappear from your profile, though the groups themselves remain. If you're an admin of a group, you should transfer admin rights to another member before deleting, or the group may become inactive.
Can I delete my Facebook account without deleting Instagram?
Yes. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Meta owns both. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. However, if you created your Instagram account using your Facebook login, you should set up a separate Instagram password first so you can still access Instagram after Facebook is gone.
Does Facebook delete my data from third-party apps I connected to my account?
No. Apps and websites you gave Facebook permission to access your data will still have the information they collected. Before deleting your Facebook account, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites and remove access for any apps you no longer use or trust.