Permanent deletion takes 30 days and cannot be undone

When you delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from other users but still exists on Facebook's servers. After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes your account, photos, messages, and all other data you posted — with one exception: information you shared with other people (like messages they received from you) stays on their accounts.

This is different from deactivation, which hides your profile but keeps your account and data intact. Deletion is the option if you want Facebook to remove your presence entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent deletion begins when you request it but does not complete for 30 days, during which you can cancel the deletion by logging back in.
  • After 30 days, Facebook removes your account, photos, posts, and personal data, but messages you sent to others remain in their inboxes.
  • You must have access to the email or phone number linked to your account to start the deletion process.
  • Downloading your information before deletion is optional but useful if you want to keep copies of your photos or posts.

How to request permanent deletion on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the screen, click Personal information. Below that, you will see Deactivation or deletion. Click on it. Facebook will show you 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. Once you confirm, your deletion request is submitted. Your profile becomes hidden immediately, but the 30-day waiting period begins.

How to request permanent deletion on a phone or tablet

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 Personal information and tap Deactivation or deletion. Tap Delete account. You will need to enter your password and confirm a security code sent to your email or phone number.

If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone rather than the app, follow the computer steps above — the process is the same.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your profile will not appear in search results, and other people cannot find your account or see your posts. However, Facebook keeps your data on its servers during these 30 days. If you change your mind, you can log back into your account and cancel the deletion request. Once you log in, the deletion will stop and your account will return to normal.

If you do not log in during the 30 days, the deletion will proceed automatically. After day 30, Facebook begins removing your information from its systems. This process can take several more weeks to complete fully, but your account is gone and cannot be recovered.

Download your information before deletion

Before you delete your account, you may want to save copies of your photos, posts, or messages. Facebook lets you download all of this information as a file.

Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Download your information. Click Download or transfer info. Choose which types of information you want (photos, posts, messages, etc.) and select a date range. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a download link by email, usually within a few hours.

This step is optional, but it is useful if you want to keep a record of your account before it is deleted.

What you lose when your account is deleted

Once the 30 days are over, you cannot recover your account, photos, posts, or messages. Any groups you created will be deleted. Any pages you managed will be deleted. Your comments on other people's posts will be removed.

Messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes, but they will show as coming from a deleted account. If you were tagged in photos by other users, those photos stay on their accounts, but your name will no longer be linked to them.

If you used your Facebook account to log into other apps or websites (like Spotify or a game), you will lose access to those accounts unless you set up a different login method first. Check any apps or websites where you used "Log in with Facebook" and change your password or add a different login option before you delete.

If you cannot access your account

If you have forgotten your password or no longer have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, you cannot delete it through the normal process. Instead, go to facebook.com/help and search for "How do I permanently delete my account?" Facebook's help page includes a link to report a hacked or inaccessible account.

You can also try using Facebook's account recovery tool. Go to facebook.com/login/identify and enter your email, phone number, or username. Facebook will walk you through steps to regain access. Once you can log in, follow the deletion steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account if I have a Facebook Page I manage?

Your personal account and any Pages you manage are separate. When you delete your personal account, any Pages you created will be deleted too. If you only manage a Page but do not own it, deleting your account will remove you as a manager but the Page will remain. If you want to keep a Page, transfer ownership to someone else before you delete your account.

What if I log in during the 30-day waiting period?

Logging in cancels the deletion request and restores your account to normal. Your profile will become visible again, and you will need to request deletion again if you still want to delete it. There is no limit to how many times you can cancel and restart the deletion process.

Will Facebook delete my information from backups and archives?

Facebook says it removes your information from its active systems after 30 days, but the company may keep copies in backups for a limited time for technical and legal reasons. Facebook does not publicly state how long these backups are kept. If you are concerned about data retention, you can contact Facebook's Data Protection Officer through their help center.

Can someone else delete my account?

No. Only you can request deletion, and you must enter your password and confirm a security code. If someone else has your password, change it immediately by going to Settings > Security and login > Change password. If you believe your account has been hacked, report it to Facebook before attempting deletion.

What is the difference between deactivation and deletion?

Deactivation hides your profile and posts from other users but keeps your account and data on Facebook's servers. You can reactivate at any time by logging back in. Deletion removes your account and data after 30 days and cannot be undone. Choose deactivation if you might want to return; choose deletion if you want Facebook to remove your presence permanently.