Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your Facebook account, Meta gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from other users and your data is being prepared for removal. After 30 days, your account and everything in it — photos, messages, posts, friend lists — is gone for good. You cannot undo this after the grace period ends.

Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account can be reactivated anytime by logging back in. A deleted account cannot. If you think you might want to return to Facebook later, deactivation is the safer choice.

Key Takeaways

  • You delete your account through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, where Facebook asks you to choose between deactivation and deletion.
  • After you request deletion, you have 30 days to cancel the request by logging back in — after that, the deletion is permanent.
  • Facebook keeps some data even after deletion, including information needed to comply with law enforcement requests and financial records for ads you ran.
  • Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
  • If you have a Facebook Business Page or use Facebook Login to sign into other apps, deleting your personal account will affect those too.

The step-by-step process to delete your account

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings & Privacy, then select Settings. On the left side menu, scroll down and click Deactivation and Deletion. Facebook will show you 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 will see a screen explaining what happens when you delete — your profile disappears, people cannot find you, and your data is removed. Click Delete Account to confirm. That is the entire process. Your account is now in the 30-day deletion window.

If you are on a phone and cannot find this menu, try going to your profile picture in the bottom right corner (iPhone) or top right corner (Android), then tap Settings & Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

For the next 30 days, your profile is hidden. Other people cannot see your posts, photos, or friend list. You cannot log in to your account. However, you can still cancel the deletion by logging back in with your email and password — Facebook will ask if you want to keep your account, and if you say yes, everything returns to normal.

During this time, Facebook is removing your data from its servers. Some removal is instant (your profile disappears immediately), but other data takes longer to fully delete from backups and archives. After day 30, the deletion is complete and irreversible.

Data Facebook keeps even after deletion

Meta does not delete everything. The company keeps copies of messages you sent to other people — those stay in their inboxes. It also keeps financial records related to ads you paid for, because tax law requires it. If you reported someone or filed a complaint, records of that report stay in the system.

Facebook also retains data if it receives a legal request from law enforcement or a court. The company has a process for responding to subpoenas and warrants, and it will provide your data if legally required to do so, even after your account is deleted.

If you want to know exactly what data Facebook has about you before you delete, you can download your information. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Connections > Download Your Information. This creates a file of everything Facebook knows about you, which you can review before deletion.

What happens to your Facebook Business Page

If you created a Facebook Business Page, deleting your personal account does not automatically delete the page. However, you will lose access to it because your personal account is the administrator. If other people are administrators on that page, they can keep running it. If you are the only administrator, the page becomes inactive and cannot be edited, though it stays visible to the public.

If you want to delete a Business Page before deleting your personal account, go to the page, click Settings, scroll to the bottom, and select Delete Page. You can also transfer ownership to another person before deleting your personal account, which keeps the page active.

Third-party apps and Facebook Login

If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps and websites — like Spotify, Pinterest, or dating apps — deleting your Facebook account will disconnect those logins. You will no longer be able to use "Log in with Facebook" on those services. If you want to keep using those apps, you will need to create a password-based account with them instead, or use a different login method.

Before you delete your Facebook account, go through the apps you use and either set up a new password login or switch to a different sign-in method. This prevents you from being locked out of services you still want to use.

If you want to leave Facebook but keep your data

Deletion is permanent, but you have other options if you want to step back without losing everything. Deactivation hides your profile for as long as you want, and you can reactivate anytime. You can also download your information before deleting — this gives you a copy of your photos, posts, and messages that you own and can keep.

To download your information, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Connections > Download Your Information. Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, posts, messages, etc.), and Facebook will create a file you can download. This process can take hours or days depending on how much data you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel the deletion after I request it?

Yes, for 30 days. Log back into your account with your email and password, and Facebook will ask if you want to keep your account. Click yes, and your account returns to normal. After 30 days, you cannot cancel — the deletion is permanent.

Will my friends be able to see my old messages after I delete?

Yes. Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after your account is deleted. You cannot delete messages from someone else's inbox. If you want to remove a message before deleting your account, you can use the "unsend" feature, which removes it from both your inbox and theirs.

What if I want to delete my account but keep my photos?

Download your information before you delete. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Connections > Download Your Information, select photos, and Facebook will create a file you can save. After you download it, you can delete your account safely knowing you have copies.

Does deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram account too?

No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. However, if you use the same email for both, you may want to change your Instagram email first so you do not lose access to it.

Can Facebook recover my account after the 30 days are up?

No. After 30 days, the deletion is permanent. Facebook cannot recover a deleted account. If you think you might want to return, deactivation is safer because you can reactivate anytime.