You can delete your Facebook account from your phone, but the process is buried in settings
Facebook does not put a delete button where you would expect it. The option lives in your phone's settings menu, not in the Facebook app itself. On both iPhone and Android, you go to your phone's main settings, find the Facebook app listing, and choose to delete your account from there. The whole process takes about five minutes once you find the right menu.
Before you delete, know that Facebook gives you two choices: deactivate (pause your account temporarily) or delete (remove it permanently after 30 days). Most people should deactivate first if they are unsure, because deactivation is reversible. Deletion is not — after 30 days, your account, messages, photos, and friends list are gone for good.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's delete option is in your phone's settings app under the Facebook app listing, not in the Facebook app itself.
- You have two choices: deactivate your account (which you can undo) or delete it permanently (which you cannot undo after 30 days).
- Deactivation hides your profile and messages but keeps your data on Facebook's servers; deletion removes everything after a 30-day waiting period.
- You can download a copy of your photos, messages, and other data before you delete, and Facebook will email you a link to do this.
How to delete your account on iPhone
Open your phone's Settings app — the gray gear icon on your home screen. Scroll down until you see Facebook listed among your installed apps. Tap on Facebook to open its settings page.
On the Facebook settings page, look for a button or link that says "Delete App" or "Remove App" at the bottom. Tap it. Your phone will ask you to confirm that you want to delete the app. Tap "Delete" again. This removes the Facebook app from your phone, but it does not delete your account yet.
To actually delete your account, you need to go to Facebook through a web browser on your phone. Open Safari or Chrome, go to facebook.com, and log in. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings." Scroll to the bottom and tap "Deactivation and Deletion." Choose "Delete Account" and follow the prompts. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and give you a reason for leaving. After you confirm, your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion in 30 days.
How to delete your account on Android
Open your phone's Settings app — usually a gear icon. Scroll down to find "Apps" or "Application Manager" (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap it, then search for or scroll to find Facebook. Tap on Facebook to open its app settings.
On the Facebook app settings page, look for "Storage" or "Manage Storage." Tap it, then tap "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data." This removes the app's stored information from your phone. Then go back and tap "Uninstall" to remove the app itself. Again, this only removes the app — it does not delete your account.
To delete your account, open Chrome or your default browser and go to facebook.com. Log in if you are not already signed in. Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll all the way down to "Deactivation and Deletion." Tap "Delete Account" and confirm your password. Facebook will ask why you are leaving and show you a 30-day countdown. After 30 days, your account is permanently gone.
The difference between deactivating and deleting
Deactivation pauses your account. Your profile disappears from Facebook, your friends cannot message you, and your name does not show up in search. However, Facebook keeps all your data — your photos, messages, and friend list — on its servers. If you change your mind within a few months, you can log back in and reactivate your account. Everything comes back exactly as it was.
Deletion is permanent. After you request deletion, Facebook waits 30 days before actually removing your account. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days pass, Facebook deletes your account, photos, messages, and all other data. You cannot undo this. If you want to use Facebook again later, you have to create a brand new account from scratch.
Most people should deactivate first. Deactivation lets you step away without burning the bridge. If you realize after a few weeks that you miss Facebook, you can reactivate. Deletion is only the right choice if you are certain you will never want to use Facebook again.
How to save your photos and messages before you delete
Facebook lets you download a copy of everything you have posted — your photos, videos, messages, and friend list. This takes a few minutes to set up, and Facebook emails you a download link within a day or two.
To request your data, go to facebook.com in a browser on your phone. Tap the three lines at the bottom right, then "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down to "Your Information and Permissions" and tap "Download Your Information." Facebook will show you options for what to include (photos, messages, posts, etc.) and what format to download in. Choose what you want and tap "Request a Download." Facebook will email you a link to download your data as a file. Save this file somewhere safe before you delete your account.
What happens to your messages after deletion
When you delete your Facebook account, your messages disappear from your own inbox. However, the people you messaged still have copies of those conversations in their inboxes. Deleting your account does not erase messages from other people's accounts.
If you want to delete specific conversations before you delete your account, you can do that. Open the Facebook app or go to facebook.com, tap the message icon, find the conversation you want to delete, swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), and tap "Delete." This removes it from your inbox only — the other person still has it.
What to do if you cannot find the delete option
If you are using an older version of the Facebook app, the delete option might not be in the same place. The easiest fix is to update your Facebook app. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), search for Facebook, and tap "Update" if an update is available. Then follow the steps above.
If you still cannot find the delete option after updating, use a web browser instead. Go to facebook.com on your phone's browser, log in, and follow the browser steps listed above. The web version always has the delete option in the same place, regardless of your phone type or app version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account without waiting 30 days?
No. After you request deletion, Facebook requires a 30-day waiting period before permanently removing your account. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After 30 days, the deletion is final and cannot be undone.
Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect your Instagram or WhatsApp accounts. You would need to delete those separately if you want to remove them.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete my account?
Your Marketplace listings will be removed when your account is deleted. If you have active sales or pending transactions, you should cancel them or complete them before you request deletion. Buyers and sellers cannot contact you after your account is gone.
Can someone else delete my Facebook account?
No. Only you can delete your own account, and only if you can log in with your password. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using your email address or phone number before you delete. If you no longer have access to your email or phone, you may not be able to delete your account.
Will Facebook send me a confirmation email when my account is deleted?
Facebook will send you a confirmation email when you request deletion, reminding you that you have 30 days to cancel. You will not receive another email when the 30 days are up and your account is permanently deleted.