Permanent deletion takes 30 days and cannot be undone
When you request to delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During this period, your profile is hidden from other users, but Facebook keeps your data. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently removes your account, photos, posts, messages, and most associated data from its servers. Once those 30 days are up, you cannot recover your account or any of its contents.
This is different from deactivation, which temporarily hides your account but keeps everything intact. Permanent deletion is the final step — there is no undo button after the 30-day window closes.
Key Takeaways
- You must request deletion through Facebook's settings, and the process takes exactly 30 days to complete.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden but you can cancel the deletion request and restore your account at any time.
- After 30 days, Facebook removes your account and data permanently — you cannot recover posts, photos, or messages.
- Some data may remain on Facebook's backup servers for up to 90 days, and data you shared with other people (like messages they received) stays with them.
- Third-party apps and websites that you connected to Facebook may still have copies of your data.
How to request permanent deletion
Go to Facebook Settings and Privacy, then select Settings. On the left side, click on "Deactivation and Deletion." You will see two options: one to deactivate your account and one to delete it. Choose "Delete Account" and click Continue.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm your identity. Type it in and click Continue. The next screen will explain what happens during the 30-day period and ask you to confirm that you want to delete your account. Click "Delete Account" again to submit your request.
You will receive a confirmation email from Facebook. Your account is now in deletion mode. Your profile, photos, and posts are no longer visible to other users, but you can still log in during the 30 days if you change your mind.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
Facebook hides your account from search results and other people's feeds immediately. No one can see your profile, send you messages, or tag you in photos. However, Facebook does not actually delete your data yet — it is stored on their servers in case you cancel the request.
If you log back into your account at any point during these 30 days, your deletion request is cancelled and your account returns to normal. You will need to request deletion again if you still want to leave. Some people use this period to download their photos and messages before the account is gone for good.
After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook begins removing your account from its active systems. This process can take a few more days to complete across all of Facebook's servers.
Data that stays after deletion
Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted. If you sent someone a photo or document, they still have it. Anything you posted in a group or on someone else's page may also remain, depending on their privacy settings and whether they saved it.
Facebook keeps backup copies of deleted data for up to 90 days for security and legal reasons. This means your information is not immediately wiped from every server, but it is not accessible to you or other users. After 90 days, Facebook removes these backups.
If you used your Facebook login to sign into other websites or apps — like Spotify, Instagram, or a news site — those services may still have your data. Deleting your Facebook account does not automatically remove you from those platforms. You will need to delete those accounts separately or change your login method.
Download your information before deletion
Before you request deletion, you can download a copy of everything Facebook has about you. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click on "Your Information and Permissions," then "Download Your Information." Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, posts, messages, contacts, etc.), then click "Request a Download."
Facebook will prepare a file containing your data, which can take a few hours or a few days depending on how much you have. You will receive an email when it is ready. You can then download it as a ZIP file and save it to your computer. This gives you a backup of your photos and posts before they are permanently deleted.
If you want to delete only specific content instead
You do not have to delete your entire account to remove individual posts, photos, or messages. You can delete specific posts by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting "Delete." You can remove photos from albums one at a time, or delete entire albums at once.
To delete all messages with one person, open the conversation, click the person's name at the top, scroll down, and select "Delete Chat." To remove your activity from a group, leave the group — your posts and comments remain visible to group members, but you are no longer a member.
If you want to keep your account but hide it from search results and limit who can contact you, deactivation is a better option than deletion. Your account stays on Facebook's servers, and you can reactivate it anytime by logging in again.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in, you can still request deletion. Go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten Password?" Enter the email or phone number associated with your account. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Once you reset it, log in and follow the deletion steps above.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number on your account, click "No longer have access to these?" on the password reset page. Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a photo ID or by answering security questions. After verification, you can reset your password and proceed with deletion.
If your account has been disabled or locked by Facebook, you can still request deletion. Log in if you can, or use the password reset process. If Facebook will not let you log in at all, contact Facebook's support team through their Help Center and explain that you want to delete your account. They can process the deletion request for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my deletion request after I submit it?
Yes, you can cancel anytime during the 30-day waiting period by logging back into your account. Your profile will return to normal and your deletion request will be cancelled. If you want to delete again, you will need to submit a new request and wait another 30 days.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. If you want to delete Instagram too, you must go to Instagram's settings and request deletion there separately. The same 30-day waiting period applies.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete my account?
Your active listings will be removed from Marketplace when your account is deleted. Buyers who have already purchased items from you can still see the transaction history and contact you through the message thread until your account is fully deleted. After 30 days, those conversations are also removed.
Can someone else use my email address to create a new Facebook account after I delete mine?
Yes. Once your account is permanently deleted, the email address is no longer tied to Facebook. Someone else could create a new account using that email address. If you want to prevent this, you can change your email address before deletion, or use a different email for any new account you create later.
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. They will simply notice that your profile no longer appears in their friends list and that they cannot find you by searching. Some people may not realize you deleted your account rather than just deactivating it.