Facebook gives you two choices: 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 all 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 onto your information for their own purposes.

Deletion is permanent. You cannot undo it. After 30 days, your account and all associated data are removed from Facebook's servers. Your messages to other people stay in their inboxes, but your profile, photos, posts, and friend list vanish. This is the option to choose if you want Facebook to stop storing information about you.

Most people who say they want to "delete" Facebook actually mean deactivation — they want a break but might return. If you are certain you will never use Facebook again and want your data removed, follow the deletion steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and can be reversed by logging back in, but Facebook keeps your data.
  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes your account and data from Facebook's servers, though messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes.
  • You must use a computer or the Facebook mobile app to delete your account — the process is not available through a web browser on mobile devices.
  • After you request deletion, you have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in; after that window closes, the deletion cannot be undone.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

Open Facebook on a computer or the official Facebook mobile app. Log in if you are not already signed in. Go to Settings and Privacy, then select Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: Deactivate Account and Delete Account. Click Delete Account.

Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and click Continue. You may see a screen asking why you are leaving — this is optional. You can skip it or select a reason. Click Delete Account again to confirm. Facebook will send a confirmation email to the address on your account.

Your account is now scheduled for deletion. For the next 30 days, your profile will not be visible to other users, but you can still log back in to cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently removes your account and data from their servers. You will not be able to recover it.

What happens to your data during the 30-day window

During these 30 days, your profile is hidden from other users. They cannot see your photos, posts, or friend list. Search results will not show your name. However, messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — deletion does not erase conversations from the other person's side.

If you change your mind during this period, log back into Facebook with your username and password. Your account will be restored with all your data intact. Once the 30 days end, this option disappears. You cannot recover a deleted account after that point.

Deactivation if you want to take a break instead

If you are not ready to delete permanently, deactivation is reversible. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Deactivation and Deletion and select Deactivate Account. Choose whether you want Facebook to delete your data or keep it for when you return. Click Deactivate.

Your profile immediately disappears from search and from other people's view. Your name will not appear on comments or posts. However, Facebook still has access to all your information. If you log back in at any point — even years later — your account reappears with everything intact. There is no time limit on reactivation.

Removing your information before deletion

Facebook's deletion process removes your account from their active servers, but the company may retain some data for legal or operational reasons. If you want to minimize what they keep, download your information first. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Your Information and Connections, then Download Your Information. Select the date range and format you want, then request the download. Facebook will email you a file with your photos, posts, messages, and contacts.

This download is for your own records. It does not prevent Facebook from keeping copies. However, having your own backup means you preserve your photos and messages before the account is gone. After you have downloaded what you need, proceed with the deletion steps above.

What you cannot undo after deletion

Once the 30-day window closes, you cannot recover your account, your photos, your posts, or your messages. Any third-party apps or websites that use your Facebook login will lose access to your account. If you use Facebook to sign into other services, you will need to create separate passwords for those accounts before you delete Facebook.

Check any apps or websites where you used "Sign in with Facebook" as your login method. Create a direct username and password for those services first. After deletion, you will not be able to use your Facebook account to access them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account on my phone?

Yes, but only through the official Facebook mobile app, not through a web browser. Open the app, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and Deletion and select Delete Account. The process is the same as on a computer.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger after I delete my account?

Messenger is a separate app from Facebook. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete Messenger. Your messages remain in the app, but you will not be able to send new messages. To fully remove Messenger, delete the app from your phone or computer.

Will deleting Facebook remove me from Facebook Groups I joined?

Yes. When your account is deleted, you are removed from all groups. Your posts and comments in those groups will no longer show your name — they will appear as "Facebook User" or be removed entirely, depending on the group's settings.

Can someone else access my account after I delete it?

No. After the 30-day deletion period ends, your account no longer exists. No one can log into it or recover it. If someone has your password, they cannot use it to access a deleted account.

What if I want to delete Facebook but keep Instagram?

You can delete your Facebook account without affecting Instagram, even though Meta owns both platforms. They are separate accounts with separate logins. Deleting Facebook will not touch your Instagram profile, photos, or followers.