What happens when you delete Facebook
When you delete your Facebook account, Facebook removes your name, email, phone number, and profile information from public view within about 15 minutes. Your messages, photos, and posts disappear from other people's feeds and timelines. However, Facebook keeps a copy of your data in backup systems for about 90 days in case you change your mind and want to reactivate. After 90 days, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be undone.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account hides your profile but keeps all your data intact — you can log back in anytime and restore everything. A deleted account is the final step: after 90 days, your information is gone for good.
Key Takeaways
- You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to change your mind and cancel the process by logging back in.
- After 90 days, your account and all its data are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
- Some information you shared with other people (like messages they received from you) may remain on their accounts even after you delete yours.
- You must use a computer or the full mobile website to delete your account — the Facebook app does not have a deletion option.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already logged in. 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: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". 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. Enter these when prompted.
Read the information Facebook shows you about what happens to your data. Click Delete account again to confirm. Your account will be scheduled for deletion. You will receive a confirmation email from Facebook. From this point, you have 30 days to log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
How to delete your account on mobile
The Facebook app does not have a deletion option, so you must use a web browser instead. Open Safari, Chrome, or whatever browser you normally use on your phone. Go to facebook.com and log in.
Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Deactivation and deletion. Select Delete account and follow the same confirmation steps as on a computer. The process is identical — you are just using the mobile version of the website instead of the app.
What to do before you delete
Before you request deletion, download your information. This gives you a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and messages that you can keep. Go to Settings, click Your information and permissions on the left side, then click Download your information. Choose the date range and file format you want, then click Create file. Facebook will prepare a download link, usually within a few hours.
Tell the people who matter to you that you are leaving. If you use Facebook to stay in touch with specific friends or family members, send them a message or email with another way to reach you. If you manage a Facebook Page for a business or organization, transfer ownership to someone else before you delete your personal account — deleting your account does not automatically delete Pages you manage, but you will lose access to manage them.
If you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps (like Spotify, Instagram, or gaming sites), change those login methods first. Go to Settings, click Apps and websites on the left, and remove Facebook as a login option for any service you still use. After your account is deleted, you will not be able to use Facebook to sign in anywhere.
The 30-day window to change your mind
After you request deletion, you have 30 days to cancel the process. If you log back into your account during this time, the deletion will be cancelled and your account will return to normal. You do not need to do anything special — simply entering your password and logging in stops the deletion.
After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins permanently removing your data from its servers. This process takes about 60 more days. During those 60 days, your account is no longer visible to anyone, but the deletion is still technically reversible on Facebook's end. Once 90 days have passed since you requested deletion, your account and all associated data are permanently gone.
Information that may remain after deletion
Even after your account is deleted, some information may stay on Facebook. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — deleting your account does not delete the messages they received from you. Photos or posts that other people shared and tagged you in may still appear on their profiles or in their timelines. Comments you made on public pages or groups may remain visible.
If you want to remove specific posts or photos before deletion, go through your timeline and delete them individually first. You can also untag yourself from photos and posts by clicking on them and selecting the untag option. This takes more time than simply deleting your account, but it gives you more control over what information stays visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account if I have an outstanding balance or unpaid ads?
No. If you have unpaid charges from Facebook ads or in-app purchases, you must settle the balance before you can delete your account. Go to Settings, click Payments, and pay any outstanding amount. After the payment clears, you can proceed with deletion.
What happens to my Instagram account if I delete Facebook?
Deleting your Facebook account does not delete your Instagram account. They are separate, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Your Instagram profile will remain active unless you separately delete it through Instagram's settings.
Will deleting my account remove me from Facebook groups?
Yes. Once your account is deleted, you are removed from all groups. Group members will no longer see your posts or comments, and your name will disappear from the group's member list.
Can someone else use my email address to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. After your account is fully deleted (after 90 days), anyone can create a new Facebook account using the same email address. If you want to prevent this, consider changing your email address or using a different one for a new account if you ever decide to return to Facebook.
What if I delete my account but then want to come back?
If you delete your account and then change your mind within 30 days, log in with your password and the deletion will be cancelled. If more than 30 days have passed, your account is gone and cannot be recovered. You would need to create a brand new account from scratch.