What happens when you delete your Facebook account
When you delete your Facebook account, Meta removes your profile, photos, posts, and messages from Facebook's servers within about 90 days. During those 90 days, the account is in a grace period — if you log back in, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 90 days pass without logging in, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be reversed.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deleted account cannot be recovered at all. A deactivated account hides your profile but keeps your data on Meta's servers, and you can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Choose deletion only if you are certain you will not want to return.
Some information may remain after deletion. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes. Photos or posts that others tagged you in may still appear on their profiles. Facebook pages you created or managed may continue to exist. If you want those removed too, you will need to handle them separately before you delete.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 90 days to become permanent, and logging in during that time cancels the deletion and restores your account.
- You must use a web browser on a computer or phone — the Facebook app does not have a delete option, only deactivation.
- Messages you sent to others, photos others tagged you in, and pages you created will not be deleted automatically.
- Download your photos and posts before deleting if you want to keep copies, because recovery is not possible after 90 days.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in to the account you want to delete. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. From the menu that appears, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, scroll down and click Deactivation and deletion. You will see two options: one to deactivate your account and one to delete it. Click Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask you to enter a security code sent to your email or phone number. Follow the prompts to complete the verification.
After you verify, Facebook will show you a final confirmation screen explaining that your account will be deleted in 90 days. Click the button to confirm deletion. Your account is now scheduled for removal. You will receive an email confirming the deletion request.
How to delete your account on a phone
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Deactivation and deletion and tap it.
Tap Delete account. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may send a security code to your email or phone. Enter the code when prompted. On the final screen, confirm that you want to delete your account. The deletion will begin immediately, with a 90-day window before it becomes permanent.
If you cannot find the delete option in the app, switch to a web browser instead. The Facebook app sometimes shows only the deactivation option, while the full delete option is available through a browser.
What to do before you delete
Download a copy of your photos, videos, and posts if you want to keep them. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information and permissions > Download your information. Choose the date range and content types you want, then click Request a download. Facebook will prepare a file and send it to your email, usually within a few hours.
Untag yourself from photos and posts on other people's profiles if you do not want them to remain visible. Search for your name in Facebook's search bar, click on your profile, and look through the photos and posts sections. Click on any photo or post, then click the three dots and select Remove tag.
If you manage any Facebook pages, decide what to do with them before deleting your account. You can transfer ownership to another person, delete the page entirely, or leave it as is. Pages do not automatically delete when your account does. Go to the page, click Settings, then General, and look for options to change the role or delete the page.
What happens during the 90-day grace period
For 90 days after you request deletion, your account remains recoverable if you log back in. Your profile will not be visible to other people, and your name will not appear in search results. However, the account still exists on Meta's servers during this time.
If you change your mind, simply log in with your email address and password. Your account will return to normal, and the deletion request will be cancelled. You can do this as many times as you want during the 90 days.
After 90 days pass without you logging in, the deletion becomes permanent. Meta will remove your profile, photos, posts, and messages from their servers. At that point, recovery is not possible.
What does not get deleted automatically
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes and message threads. Deleting your account does not remove conversations from other people's accounts. If you want those messages gone, ask the other people to delete them, or delete individual messages before you delete your account.
Photos and posts that other people tagged you in will stay on their profiles and in their timelines. You can untag yourself from these before deletion, but the posts themselves will remain. If someone posted a photo of you that you do not want visible, you can ask them to remove it or untag you, but you cannot force deletion.
Comments you made on other people's posts will remain visible with your name attached, even after your account is deleted. If you want to remove these, go through your activity log before deletion and delete comments individually.
If you want to keep your account but hide it
If you are not ready to delete permanently, consider deactivating instead. A deactivated account hides your profile from search results and other people's feeds, but you can reactivate it anytime by logging in. Your data stays on Meta's servers, so recovery is always possible.
To deactivate, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Deactivation and deletion and choose Deactivate account. You can reactivate whenever you want by logging back in with your email and password. This is a good option if you think you might want to return to Facebook later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account if I have an outstanding balance or owe money?
If you have an outstanding balance from ads you ran or purchases you made, you should settle it before deleting. Go to your payment settings and pay any balance due. After deletion, Meta may still pursue unpaid amounts, so clearing it first prevents future issues.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete?
Use the "Forgot password?" link on the Facebook login page to reset your password. Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a reset link. Once you regain access, follow the deletion steps. If you cannot access your email or phone, contact Facebook's support through their help center.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. If you want to delete those too, you must delete them separately through their own settings.
Can someone else delete my account if they have my password?
Yes, if someone has your password and email access, they can delete your account. Protect your password and enable two-factor authentication in your security settings to prevent unauthorized access. If you think someone deleted your account without permission, contact Facebook support immediately.
How long does it take for my account to be completely gone?
The deletion process takes up to 90 days from the date you request it. During those 90 days, you can cancel by logging in. After 90 days with no login, the deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. The exact timing depends on Meta's servers, but most accounts are fully removed within this window.