You can delete your Facebook account directly from the app in about five minutes

Open Facebook on your phone, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll to find "Account Ownership and Control," and select "Deactivation or Deletion." Choose "Delete Account" rather than deactivate, confirm your password, and Facebook will begin the deletion process. The entire account — including your profile, photos, posts, and messages — will be gone after 30 days. During that 30-day window, you can cancel the deletion if you change your mind by logging back in.

The app process is simpler than doing it on a computer because Facebook walks you through each step on your phone's screen. You do not need to hunt through multiple menus or remember a web address. Everything happens in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion through the app takes about five minutes and removes your entire account after 30 days, whereas deactivation just hides your profile temporarily.
  • Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind and cancel the deletion by logging back in with your password.
  • After the 30-day period ends, your account cannot be recovered, so make sure you have downloaded any photos or messages you want to keep first.
  • If you cannot find the deletion option in Settings, make sure you are running the latest version of the Facebook app.

Step-by-step deletion from the app

Start by opening the Facebook app and tapping the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings" again. You will see a list of options — scroll down until you find "Account Ownership and Control." Tap that section.

Inside "Account Ownership and Control," you will see two options: "Deactivation or Deletion" and "Transfer Account." Tap "Deactivation or Deletion." The app will show you the difference between the two. Select "Delete Account" — this is permanent after 30 days, while deactivate just hides your profile. Tap "Continue to Account Deletion." Facebook will ask you to confirm your password. Enter it and tap "Continue." The app will then show you a final confirmation screen. Tap "Delete Account" one more time, and the process begins.

The 30-day waiting period and what happens during it

After you confirm deletion, your account does not disappear immediately. Facebook keeps your data for 30 days in case you want to undo the decision. During this time, you will not be able to log in, and your profile will not be visible to other users. Your messages will not be delivered to people who try to contact you.

If you decide you want your account back before the 30 days are up, log in with your username and password on any device. Facebook will ask if you want to cancel the deletion. Tap yes, and your account will be restored with everything intact. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently deletes all your data, and there is no way to recover it.

Difference between deletion and deactivation

Deletion removes your account entirely after 30 days. Your profile disappears, your posts are gone, and people cannot find you on Facebook. Other users cannot see messages you sent them, though Facebook may keep copies on their end. This is the right choice if you never want to use Facebook again.

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily but keeps your account. People cannot see your posts or find you by searching, but your account still exists. If you log back in later, your profile reappears exactly as it was. This is useful if you want a break from Facebook but might return someday. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want.

Download your photos and messages before deletion

Once your account is deleted after 30 days, you cannot get your photos, videos, or messages back. If you want to keep any of this content, download it before you start the deletion process. Facebook has a tool called "Download Your Information" that collects all your data in one file.

To use it, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll to "Account Ownership and Control," and tap "Download Your Information." Select what you want to download — photos, videos, posts, messages, and more are all options. Choose the date range and file format, then tap "Create File." Facebook will prepare your data and send you a download link, usually within a few hours. You can then save everything to your phone or computer before you delete your account.

What to do if the deletion option is not showing

If you cannot find "Deactivation or Deletion" in your Settings menu, the most common reason is that you are running an older version of the Facebook app. Open your phone's app store — the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone — search for Facebook, and tap "Update" if an update is available. Close the app completely and open it again after updating.

If updating does not help, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start to show all menu options. If you still cannot find the option, you can delete your account from a web browser instead by going to facebook.com on your phone's browser and following the same Settings path. The web version always has the deletion option available.

What happens to your data after deletion

After the 30-day period ends, Facebook deletes your profile, posts, photos, and personal information from its main servers. However, Facebook may keep backup copies of your data for a limited time for technical and legal reasons. The company also keeps some information if other users have downloaded their data that includes your messages or if you are mentioned in their posts.

Third-party apps and websites that you connected to your Facebook account will no longer have access to your Facebook login. If you used "Log in with Facebook" to sign up for other services, you will need to create separate passwords for those accounts or use a different login method going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account without waiting 30 days?

No. Facebook requires a 30-day waiting period for all account deletions. This is a safety measure so you can cancel if you change your mind. The only way to speed up the process is to not cancel during those 30 days — after they pass, deletion is final and immediate.

Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts, even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.

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

Tap "Forgot Password?" on the Facebook login screen and follow the recovery steps. Facebook will send a reset link to your email or phone number. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with deletion. If you cannot access your email or phone, you may need to use Facebook's account recovery tool or contact Facebook support through the app.

Can someone else delete my Facebook account?

No. Facebook requires your password to delete your account, so only you can do it. If someone else has your password, change it immediately by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then "Password" before they can delete your account.

Will my friends be notified when I delete my account?

No. Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you delete your account. They will simply notice that your profile is no longer visible and they cannot message you. If you want to let people know you are leaving, send them a message first or post a final message before you start the deletion process.