The fastest way to delete Facebook on your phone

You can delete your Facebook account entirely from your phone using the Facebook app or a mobile web browser — you do not need a computer. The process takes about five minutes. Facebook will give you 30 days to change your mind before the account is permanently gone; if you log back in during that window, the deletion stops and your account stays active.

Before you start, know that deletion is different from deactivation. Deletion removes your account, posts, photos, and messages permanently. Deactivation hides your profile but keeps everything on Facebook's servers in case you want to reactivate later. This guide covers deletion. If you want to pause your account instead, that is a separate, faster process.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Facebook app, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll to find "Deactivation and Deletion," and choose Delete Account.
  • Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving, then give you a 30-day window to undo the deletion if you change your mind.
  • After the 30 days pass, your account, posts, photos, and messages are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
  • If you cannot find the deletion option in your app version, use a mobile web browser to visit facebook.com and follow the same menu path.
  • Deleting your account does not automatically remove you from Facebook Messenger; you may need to delete that app separately if you want it gone.

Step-by-step deletion using the Facebook app

Open the Facebook app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings" again.

Scroll down the Settings page until you see "Deactivation and Deletion." Tap it. You will see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account." Tap "Delete Account." Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm you own the account. Type it in and tap "Continue."

Facebook will then ask why you are leaving. You can choose a reason from the dropdown menu or skip this step. Tap "Delete" at the bottom of the screen. A final confirmation screen will appear reminding you that your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days. Tap "Delete Account" one more time to confirm.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

After you request deletion, your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, your profile is hidden from other users — they cannot see your posts, photos, or messages. However, your data still exists on Facebook's servers.

If you log back into your account at any point during these 30 days, the deletion request cancels and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook permanently deletes your account and all associated data. This data cannot be recovered after that point.

Using a mobile web browser if the app does not show the option

Some older versions of the Facebook app may not display the deletion option clearly. If you cannot find "Deactivation and Deletion" in your app settings, use a mobile web browser instead.

Open Safari, Chrome, or your default browser on your phone. Go to facebook.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Follow the same steps as above to find "Deactivation and Deletion" and select "Delete Account." The web version works the same way as the app.

What gets deleted and what does not

When you delete your Facebook account, the following are permanently removed: your profile, all posts and photos you uploaded, your friend list, messages you sent and received, comments you made on other people's posts, and any groups you created or joined. Your name will no longer appear in other people's friend lists or message histories.

However, some things may remain: posts or photos other people tagged you in may still be visible on their profiles (though your name will not be linked to them), messages you sent to others may stay in their inboxes, and any information you shared with third-party apps connected to Facebook may still exist on those apps' servers. Facebook Messenger is a separate app and is not automatically deleted when you delete your account — you will need to delete it separately if you want it removed.

Backing up your photos and messages before deletion

If you want to keep copies of your photos, posts, or messages before deleting your account, Facebook lets you download your data. Before you request deletion, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll down to "Your Information and Permissions," and tap "Download Your Information." Choose what you want to download — photos, posts, messages, and more — and Facebook will prepare a file for you to download.

This process can take a few hours or longer depending on how much data you have. Facebook will send you a notification when the file is ready. Download it to your phone or computer before you delete your account, because you will not be able to access it after deletion is complete.

What to do if you change your mind during the 30 days

If you decide you want to keep your account after requesting deletion, simply log back in with your username and password during the 30-day window. Your account will immediately reactivate and return to normal. All your posts, photos, friends, and messages will be restored.

You do not need to do anything else — logging in is enough to stop the deletion process. If you wait longer than 30 days without logging in, your account will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends be notified that I deleted my account?

No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you delete your account. Your profile will simply disappear from their view. They may notice you are gone if they try to visit your profile or message you, but they will not receive an official notification from Facebook.

Can I delete my account if I have an outstanding balance or unpaid ads?

Yes, you can delete your account even if you have unpaid charges. However, Facebook may still pursue payment for any outstanding balances. If you have active ads running, they will stop immediately when your account is deleted. Contact Facebook's billing support before deletion if you want to resolve any outstanding charges first.

What happens to my Facebook Messenger account when I delete Facebook?

Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete Messenger. Your Messenger account will remain active unless you delete the Messenger app separately. If you want Messenger gone too, you will need to delete that app from your phone and remove your Messenger account through its own settings.

Can someone else use my email address to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?

Yes. Once your 30-day deletion period is complete and your account is permanently gone, the email address associated with it becomes available for someone else to use. If you want to prevent this, consider changing your email address before deletion or using a different email for any new accounts you create in the future.

Does deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram account?

No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account will not affect your Instagram account. If you want to delete Instagram as well, you will need to delete that account separately through the Instagram app or website.