Facebook gives you two separate options: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Your name disappears from search, your messages stop showing, and your posts vanish from other people's feeds. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within 30 days. After 30 days, Facebook begins deleting your data, though the process takes up to 90 days total.

Deletion is permanent. Once you request it, you cannot undo it. Facebook removes your account, profile, photos, posts, and messages from the platform. Like deactivation, the actual deletion takes up to 90 days, but you cannot log back in during that window to stop the process.

Most people choose deactivation first if they are unsure. It lets you step away without losing the option to return. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not want your account back.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; you can reactivate within 30 days by logging in again.
  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be reversed, so choose it only if you are completely certain.
  • Both options take up to 90 days for Facebook to fully remove your information from their servers.
  • You can deactivate from Settings on desktop or mobile, or delete through your account settings menu.
  • Messages you sent to others may remain in their inboxes even after you delete your account.

How to deactivate your account on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, click Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account, then click Continue to account deactivation.

Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may offer options to stay in touch (email notifications, messenger access). You can uncheck these boxes if you prefer no contact. At the bottom, select your reason for leaving from the dropdown menu. Click Deactivate to finish. Your account is now hidden.

How to deactivate your account on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Account ownership and control, then Deactivation and deletion. Choose Deactivate account and tap Continue.

Enter your password when prompted. Uncheck any notification options you do not want. Select your reason for leaving and tap Deactivate. The app will log you out, and your account will be hidden from other users.

How to permanently delete your account on desktop

Log into Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right, then Settings and privacy and Settings. Click Deactivation and deletion on the left sidebar. This time, choose Delete account instead of deactivate, then click Continue to account deletion.

Enter your password and complete any security check Facebook requires (usually a CAPTCHA). Read the warning about permanent deletion. Select your reason for leaving. Click Delete account to confirm. You will be logged out immediately. Your account cannot be recovered after 30 days pass.

How to permanently delete your account on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (three lines) in the bottom right. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Account ownership and control, then Deactivation and deletion. Select Delete account and tap Continue.

Enter your password and complete the security check. Review the deletion warning. Choose your reason for leaving and tap Delete account. The app will log you out. Your account will begin the deletion process and cannot be restored once the 30-day window closes.

What happens to your data during the deletion window

For the first 30 days after you request deletion, your account is in a recovery state. If you log back in during this time, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days, Facebook begins removing your information from their active servers. This removal takes an additional 60 days, for a total of 90 days from your deletion request.

Some data may remain longer. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Photos or posts that other users shared or saved may still exist in their accounts. Information Facebook has already shared with third-party apps or services may not be deleted from those platforms. Backup copies on Facebook's servers may take longer to fully erase.

What you should do before deleting

Download your photos and posts if you want to keep them. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Your information, then Download your information. Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, posts, messages, etc.). Facebook will prepare a file you can download. This process can take several hours or days depending on how much data you have.

Tell your close contacts that you are leaving, especially if they rely on Facebook Messenger to reach you. Consider whether you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites — you will lose that login method after deletion. Check if any important accounts are linked to your Facebook profile and update them to use a different login method first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

No, not after 30 days. If you delete your account and log back in within 30 days, the deletion stops and your account returns. After 30 days, deletion becomes permanent and you cannot recover the account. You would have to create a new account from scratch.

Will my messages disappear from other people's inboxes?

No. Messages you sent to others remain in their Messenger inboxes even after you delete your account. The only way to remove them is for each person to delete the conversation themselves. Your name may appear as "Facebook User" in their message history.

What if I use Facebook to log into other apps?

You will lose the ability to use Facebook as a login method for those apps. Before you delete, go into each app's settings and change your login to an email address and password instead. If you forget to do this, you may be locked out of those apps after your account is deleted.

Does deactivation delete my photos and posts?

No. Deactivation hides everything from public view, but your photos, posts, and messages remain stored on Facebook's servers. If you reactivate your account, everything comes back exactly as it was. Only deletion removes your data permanently.

How long does it actually take to delete my account?

The full deletion takes up to 90 days. Your account becomes inaccessible immediately, but Facebook's servers continue removing your data for the next three months. You cannot speed up this process, but you also cannot reverse it after the first 30 days pass.