Facebook gives you two ways to stop using your account
Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and friends list from other people. Facebook keeps your data and can reactivate the account if you log back in within a certain period. Deletion removes your account permanently after about 30 days, though some information may stay in Facebook's backups for legal and security purposes.
Most people choose deactivation if they might return later. Deletion is the right choice if you want Facebook to remove your data and have no plans to come back. Both options are free and take just a few clicks to start.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps it recoverable if you log in again within 30 days.
- Deletion permanently removes your account after 30 days, though some data may remain in backups for legal and security reasons.
- You can deactivate or delete through Settings and Privacy on desktop, or through the menu on mobile.
- After deletion, you cannot use the same email address to create a new Facebook account for a few days.
- You can download your photos, posts, and other data before you delete by using the Download Your Information tool.
How to deactivate your Facebook account on desktop
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account, then click Continue to Account Deactivation.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password and choose a reason for leaving. You can also decide whether to receive emails from Facebook going forward. After you confirm, your account goes dark immediately — your profile disappears from search results and your friends' friend lists, though your messages stay in their inboxes.
Your name and profile picture may still appear in places where you commented or posted before deactivation, but clicking on them will not take anyone to your profile. You remain deactivated until you log back in.
How to deactivate your Facebook account on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and Deletion and choose Deactivate Account. Tap Continue and enter your password.
The rest of the process is the same as desktop. Your account will be hidden from other users within a few minutes. You will be logged out of the app automatically.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion on desktop, or use the menu path on mobile. This time, select Delete Account instead of Deactivate Account. Click or tap Continue to Account Deletion.
Enter your password and confirm your choice. Facebook will begin the deletion process right away, but your account stays visible for about 30 days while the company removes your data from its servers. During this window, if you log back in, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days, the deletion is final and cannot be reversed.
What happens to your data after deletion
Facebook removes your posts, photos, and profile information from its live servers. However, the company keeps backups of deleted data for a limited time for legal and security reasons. These backups are not visible to other users and are eventually destroyed.
Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account. If you want those removed, you need to unsend them before you delete. You can unsend a message by opening the conversation, finding the message, and selecting the unsend option from the menu.
Some information tied to your account — such as payment records or reports you made about content — may be kept longer than 30 days for legal compliance. Facebook does not make this data visible to other users.
What to do if you change your mind
If you deactivated your account, you can reactivate it by logging in with your email and password. Your profile, friends list, and messages will return exactly as they were. You can do this anytime, even months later.
If you deleted your account and the 30-day window has not closed, log in again to stop the deletion. Your account will be restored. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. You can create a new account with the same email address, but it will be a fresh account with no connection to the old one.
How to save your information before you delete
Before you deactivate or delete, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > Download Your Information. Facebook will create a file of your photos, posts, friends list, messages, and other data that you can download to your computer.
The download process can take from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. Facebook will send you a notification when the file is ready. You can then save it to your device before you proceed with deactivation or deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgotten Password. Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can log in and proceed with deactivation or deletion.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that your profile is no longer visible, but Facebook does not send them a notification. They may notice you have disappeared from their friends list or when they try to visit your profile.
Can I use the same email for a new Facebook account after deletion?
You can create a new account with the same email, but you may need to wait a few days after the deletion is complete. If Facebook says the email is still in use, try again in a few days.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivation is temporary and reversible — you can log back in anytime to restore your account. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone. Choose deactivation if you might want to return, and deletion if you want your data removed.