Facebook gives you two ways to remove your account: deactivation, which is temporary and reversible, or deletion, which is permanent
Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and friends list from other people, but Facebook keeps your data in case you want to reactivate later. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within 30 days. Deletion is different — after 30 days, Facebook removes your account and most of the information tied to it from their servers. You cannot reactivate a deleted account.
Most people who want to leave Facebook should choose deletion, not deactivation, because deactivation is designed as a temporary pause. If you think you might return to Facebook someday, deactivation is the safer choice. But if you want Facebook gone for good, deletion is what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; you can log back in anytime within 30 days to undo it.
- Deletion permanently removes your account after 30 days, and you cannot reactivate it once that period ends.
- You can deactivate or delete from your Facebook settings on a computer or phone, and the process takes less than five minutes.
- Facebook may take up to 90 days to fully remove all copies of your data from their backup systems after deletion.
- Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account.
How to deactivate your Facebook account
Deactivation is the faster, reversible option. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, then select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account, then click Continue. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and choose a reason for leaving. You do not have to pick a reason — you can skip that step. Click Deactivate.
On a phone or tablet, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Deactivation and Deletion, tap it, choose Deactivate Account, and follow the same steps. Your account will be hidden immediately, though it takes a few minutes for your profile to disappear from other people's views.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Deletion takes longer but is permanent. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Deactivation and Deletion on the left side (on a phone, follow the same menu path as deactivation). This time, choose Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. Click Continue. Facebook will ask for your password again and may ask you to enter a security code sent to your email or phone number. Enter it and click Continue.
After you confirm deletion, Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind. If you log back into your account during this window, the deletion cancels and your account reactivates. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook begins removing your data from their active servers. This removal process can take up to 90 days total, so your information may not be completely gone for three months.
What happens to your data and messages after deletion
When you delete your account, your profile, photos, posts, and friend list disappear from Facebook. Other people cannot see your account or anything you posted. However, messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — deletion does not erase conversations from the other person's side.
Facebook also keeps some information for legal and safety reasons, such as reports you made about other accounts or content. If you were part of a group or event, your name may still appear in the history of that group or event even after deletion. Copies of your data may exist in Facebook's backup systems for up to 90 days after deletion, which is why the company says full removal takes that long.
If you want to download your information before deleting
Before you delete, you can download a copy of your photos, posts, friends list, and messages. On a computer, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Your Information and Connections, then Download Your Information. Choose the date range and the types of information you want — you can select everything or just specific categories. Click Request a Download. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a link, usually within a few hours.
On a phone, tap the three lines in the bottom right, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information and Connections, then Download Your Information. The process is the same. This download is useful if you want to keep copies of your photos or posts before they are removed from Facebook's servers.
Deactivation versus deletion: which one to choose
Choose deactivation if you are taking a break from Facebook but think you might come back, or if you want to test what it feels like to be off the platform without making a permanent decision. Deactivation is also useful if you want to keep your account name reserved — no one else can create an account with your name while yours is deactivated. You can reactivate anytime by logging in, even months or years later.
Choose deletion if you are certain you do not want a Facebook account anymore and do not plan to return. Deletion is more thorough because it removes your data from Facebook's active systems, though not immediately. If you delete and then change your mind within 30 days, you can log in to undo it. After 30 days, that option is gone.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you can still request deletion without logging in. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgotten Password, and follow the steps to reset your password. Once you can log in again, follow the deletion steps above. If you cannot reset your password because you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, you will need to contact Facebook through their Help Center to request account deletion.
Go to facebook.com/help and search for "delete account" or "deactivate account." Facebook has a form where you can request help if you are locked out. You will need to provide information that proves you own the account, such as your name, email address, or phone number. Facebook may take longer to process deletion requests from locked-out accounts, sometimes several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after 30 days of deletion?
No. After 30 days, your deletion becomes permanent and you cannot reactivate your account. You can reactivate during the first 30 days by logging in, but after that window closes, the account is gone for good. If you think you might want to return, deactivation is the safer choice.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile is no longer there, but Facebook does not send them a notification saying you deleted your account. If you want to tell them you are leaving, you should message them before you delete. After deletion, they cannot message you through Facebook.
Does deleting Facebook remove my information from other websites?
No. If you used Facebook to log into other apps or websites, those accounts remain active. Deleting Facebook does not affect your accounts on Instagram, TikTok, or other services, even if you signed up using your Facebook login. You would need to delete those accounts separately.
What if I want to delete Facebook but keep Instagram?
You can delete your Facebook account without affecting Instagram. Both are owned by Meta, but they are separate accounts. Go through the Facebook deletion process normally. Your Instagram account will stay active as long as you do not delete it separately.
How long does it take for Facebook to completely remove my data?
Facebook removes your account from their active servers within 30 days if you do not log back in. However, copies of your data may remain in their backup systems for up to 90 days. After 90 days, Facebook says your information is fully removed, though backups kept for legal reasons may persist longer.