Facebook gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion, and they work very differently
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages go dark, and your friends can't see your posts or photos. But Facebook keeps all your data. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, the account stays hidden but recoverable for up to 90 days total.
Permanent deletion is the irreversible option. Facebook removes your profile, posts, photos, and messages from public view. The company says deletion takes about 30 days to fully process across all its systems. After that point, your data cannot be recovered by logging back in. Some information may remain in backups or cached versions elsewhere on the internet, but Facebook itself will not restore it.
Most people who want out should choose permanent deletion. Deactivation is useful only if you think you might return within a few months. If you're certain you're done, deletion is the cleaner break.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete and cannot be undone, while deactivation hides your account for 30 days and remains reversible for up to 90 days total.
- To permanently delete your account, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, choose Delete Account, and confirm your password and identity verification.
- Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete your Instagram or Messenger accounts, which are separate and require their own deletion steps.
- Facebook will not restore a permanently deleted account, so download your photos and messages first if you want to keep copies.
- Your username may become available for others to use after deletion, and some of your activity on other websites that use Facebook login will stop working.
How to start a permanent deletion from your phone or computer
Open Facebook and go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, the downward arrow on desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap or click Deactivation and Deletion. You'll see two options: one to deactivate and one to delete. Choose Delete Account.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password and may ask you to verify your identity through a code sent to your email or phone number. Complete these steps. On the final screen, you'll see a confirmation message explaining that deletion takes about 30 days and cannot be reversed. Confirm again, and the deletion process begins.
Do not log back into your account during the 30-day window. Logging in will cancel the deletion and reactivate your account. If you accidentally log in, you can restart the deletion process, but the 30-day timer begins again from that point.
What happens to your data during and after deletion
During the 30-day deletion period, your profile is no longer visible to other users. Your posts, photos, and messages disappear from Facebook's public systems. Friends cannot tag you, message you, or see your activity. However, Facebook's servers still hold your information during this window in case you change your mind and log back in.
After 30 days, Facebook says it removes your data from its active systems. This includes your profile, posts, photos, comments, and messages. The company also removes your information from its backup systems, though this process can take longer. Some data may persist in cached versions on other websites or in search engine archives, but Facebook itself will not have it.
Copies of messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. Deleting your account does not erase conversations from your friends' accounts. If you want to remove specific messages before deletion, you can delete individual conversations from your Messenger app, though this only removes them from your view.
Download your information before you delete
Facebook lets you download a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages before deletion. This is useful if you want to keep memories or have important information stored in messages. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > Download Your Information. Choose the date range and content types you want, then request the download.
Facebook will prepare a file and send you a link via email. The file is compressed and may take hours or days to generate depending on how much data you have. You can download it multiple times if needed. Do this before you start the deletion process, since you won't be able to access your account after the 30-day window closes.
What stops working after deletion
Any website or app that uses your Facebook login will no longer work with that account. This includes games, shopping sites, and apps that let you "sign in with Facebook." You'll need to create new logins or use a different sign-in method for these services. Some apps may delete your account on their platform too, depending on their policies.
Your Facebook username becomes available for someone else to use after deletion. If you had a custom URL like facebook.com/yourname, that URL will eventually point to nothing or to a new user. This is why it's important to download any content you want to keep before deletion.
Messenger remains a separate app and service. Deleting your Facebook account does not delete your Messenger account. If you want to remove Messenger too, you must delete it separately through the Messenger app settings. The same applies to Instagram — it is owned by Meta but operates independently, so deleting Facebook does not affect your Instagram account.
The difference between deletion and deactivation
Choose deactivation if you want a break but might return. Your profile hides for 30 days, and you can reactivate by logging in anytime during that window. After 30 days, your account remains hidden but can still be reactivated for up to 90 days total. After 90 days, the account may be permanently deleted automatically, though Facebook's exact timeline here is unclear.
Choose deletion if you're certain you're done. It's permanent after 30 days, cannot be undone, and removes your data from Facebook's systems. There is no recovery option after the 30-day window closes.
If you deactivate and then change your mind, simply log back in with your password. Your profile, friends list, messages, and all content return immediately. This makes deactivation a lower-stakes option if you're unsure.
What to do if you can't access your account
If you've forgotten your password or can't log in, you can still request deletion. Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgotten Password. Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you can log in again, follow the deletion steps above.
If you can't access your email or phone number, Facebook offers account recovery options. Click Forgotten Password and select No Longer Have Access to These? Facebook will ask you to identify yourself using other information, such as your name, date of birth, or friends' names. This process can take several days.
If you cannot recover your account and want it deleted anyway, you can report the account to Facebook through its help center and request deletion. Facebook may require additional verification, but it will process the request if you can prove you own the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account without a password?
No, Facebook requires your password to confirm deletion. If you've forgotten it, use the password reset option on the login page. If you can't access your email or phone, use Facebook's account recovery process, which may take several days but will let you reset your password and proceed with deletion.
Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram and Messenger?
No. Instagram and Messenger are separate accounts, even though Meta owns both. Deleting Facebook does not affect them. You must delete Instagram and Messenger separately through their own settings if you want to remove those accounts too.
What if I accidentally log in during the 30-day deletion period?
Logging in cancels the deletion and reactivates your account. Your profile, posts, and messages return immediately. If you want to delete again, you must restart the deletion process, and the 30-day timer begins over from that point.
Can Facebook recover my account after 30 days?
No. After 30 days, Facebook says deletion is permanent and the account cannot be recovered. This is why downloading your photos and messages before deletion is important if you want to keep copies.
Will my friends still see messages I sent them after I delete my account?
Yes. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes and conversations. Deleting your account only removes messages from your own view. If you want to remove specific messages before deletion, you can delete individual conversations from Messenger, but this only affects your copy.