Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your wall goes blank. But Facebook keeps your data in case you change your mind and log back in within 30 days. After 30 days, the account is deleted for real.

Deletion is permanent. You request it, wait 30 days while Facebook processes the request, and then your account and all its data are gone for good. You cannot recover a deleted account after those 30 days pass. Most people who want to leave Facebook choose deletion because deactivation feels temporary and you might accidentally log back in.

The choice matters because deactivation is reversible and deletion is not. If you think you might return to Facebook someday, deactivation buys you time. If you want a clean break, deletion is the route.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and can be reversed if you log back in; 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 click Delete Account.
  • Facebook keeps your data for 30 days after you request deletion in case you change your mind, but after that period it is erased.
  • Some information you shared with others (like messages you sent) may remain visible to them even after your account is deleted.
  • You should download your photos and posts before deleting if you want to keep copies, because Facebook will not send them to you afterward.

How to delete your account on a computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and log in if you are not already. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen — this opens a menu with your account options.

Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, scroll down until you see Deactivation and Deletion. Click on it. You will see two options: one to deactivate and one to delete. Click Delete Account.

Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to solve a CAPTCHA (those distorted letters or images). After you confirm, Facebook tells you that your account will be permanently deleted in 30 days. During those 30 days, your account is still there but hidden. If you log back in, the deletion stops and your account stays active.

If you do nothing for 30 days, the deletion completes automatically and your account cannot be recovered.

How to delete your account on a phone

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. You will see the same two options as on a computer. Tap Delete Account. Enter your password when prompted, and confirm the deletion. The 30-day countdown begins immediately.

The phone process is identical to the computer process — you are just using a smaller screen and tapping instead of clicking.

What to do before you delete

Download your photos and posts if you want to keep them. Facebook will not send you copies after deletion. To download your data, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find Your Facebook Information. Click Download Your Information. Choose what you want to download (photos, posts, messages, and more are available), select a date range, and choose a file format. Facebook will prepare a file and email it to you — this can take a few hours or a few days depending on how much data you have.

Tell the people who matter that you are leaving. Send a message to close friends or post a final update before you delete, because they will not be able to find you afterward. If you use Facebook Messenger to stay in touch with people, consider whether you want to switch to text, email, or another app first.

Check if any other websites or apps use your Facebook login. Some apps let you sign in with your Facebook account instead of creating a separate password. After you delete Facebook, you will not be able to use that login method anymore. Make sure you have passwords set up for those services before you delete.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your profile is hidden from everyone, including yourself. You cannot log in, and other people cannot find you or see your posts. Messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes, but they cannot reply to you through Messenger.

If you change your mind, simply log back in with your email and password. Your account reactivates immediately and the deletion is cancelled. This is why the 30 days exist — it is Facebook's way of letting you reconsider before the deletion becomes permanent.

After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook deletes your account and all associated data. At that point, you cannot recover it.

What data stays behind after deletion

Messages you sent to other people remain in their accounts. If you sent someone a photo or a message, they can still see it even after you delete your account. Facebook does not remove your messages from other people's inboxes.

Comments you left on public pages or in groups may also remain visible, depending on the page or group's settings. Some pages archive all comments, so your name might still appear there.

If you were tagged in photos by other people, those photos stay in their accounts and you remain tagged in them. Deleting your account does not remove tags that other people created.

If you want to deactivate instead of delete

Deactivation is the softer option. Your profile disappears, but your account is still there. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion, and click Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account. Choose a reason from the dropdown menu (Facebook asks why you are leaving, but you do not have to answer honestly). You can add a message if you want.

Your account stays deactivated as long as you want. If you log back in six months later, a year later, or five years later, your account reactivates and everything is exactly as you left it. This is useful if you are taking a break but might return, or if you want to keep the option open.

The downside is that deactivation is not permanent, so you might be tempted to log back in during a weak moment. If you want a true break from Facebook, deletion is the stronger choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account immediately or do I have to wait 30 days?

You have to wait 30 days. Facebook builds in this waiting period so you can change your mind. If you log in during those 30 days, the deletion stops and your account stays active. After 30 days of no login, the deletion is final and cannot be reversed.

Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp account?

No. Instagram and WhatsApp are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp unless you specifically linked them. If you want to delete Instagram or WhatsApp, you have to delete those accounts separately using the same process.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?

Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgot Password. Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you reset it, log in and follow the deletion steps. If you cannot access your email or phone, contact Facebook's support through their Help Center to verify your identity.

Can someone else delete my Facebook account?

No. Only you can delete your account, and only by logging in with your password. If you think someone else has access to your account, change your password immediately before deleting. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security and Login, and click Change Password.

Will my friends be notified that I deleted my account?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends. They will simply notice that your profile is gone and they cannot find you in search. Some people post a final message before deleting to let friends know they are leaving.