Facebook gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work very differently

You can deactivate your account, which hides it temporarily but keeps all your data. Or you can delete it permanently, which removes your profile, photos, posts, and most of your information from Facebook's servers after about 30 days. Deactivation is reversible; deletion is not. Most people who want to leave Facebook entirely should choose deletion.

The choice matters because deactivation looks like you've left, but Facebook keeps your data and can reactivate your account if you log back in. If you think you might return to Facebook someday, deactivation is safer. If you want to cut ties completely, deletion is the path forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days, while deactivation hides your account but keeps your data intact and reversible.
  • You can download your photos, posts, and messages before deleting, and Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind.
  • Some information tied to your account — like messages you sent to others — may remain on their accounts even after you delete yours.
  • After deletion, you cannot use your email address to create a new Facebook account for at least a few months.

How to delete your Facebook account permanently

Go to Facebook's Settings and Privacy menu (the three horizontal lines in the bottom right on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, click Deactivation and Deletion. You will see two options: "Deactivate Account" and "Delete Account". Choose Delete Account.

Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may ask security questions to verify your identity. After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, your profile disappears from Facebook, but the deletion is not yet permanent. If you log back in during those 30 days, your account will be restored and the deletion will be cancelled. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently deletes your account.

How to deactivate your account if you might return

Follow the same path to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion, but this time choose Deactivate Account. Facebook will ask why you are leaving and offer options to stay in touch. You can skip these and proceed to deactivation.

When your account is deactivated, your profile and posts disappear from Facebook. Friends cannot message you or see your profile. However, Facebook keeps all your data — your photos, messages, friends list, and activity history. If you log back in at any point, your account reactivates immediately and everything returns to normal. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want.

Download your information before you delete

Before you delete, you can save a copy of your photos, posts, and other data. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information and Permissions > Download Your Information. Choose what you want to download (photos, posts, messages, contacts, and more), select a date range, and choose a file format. Facebook will prepare a file and email you a download link, usually within a few hours.

This download is useful if you want to keep copies of your own photos or posts after deletion. Note that this does not include messages other people sent you — Facebook only includes messages you initiated or participated in. After you delete your account, you cannot download this information anymore, so do this step first if you want to preserve anything.

What happens to your data after deletion

After the 30-day grace period ends, Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and most personal information from its servers. However, some data persists. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes and message threads. Comments you made on public pages or groups may remain visible. Photos you were tagged in by others stay on their accounts. Anything you posted publicly before deletion may have been shared, screenshotted, or archived elsewhere on the internet.

Facebook also keeps some data for legal and business reasons — things like payment records if you ever bought ads, or logs of activity for fraud prevention. This retained data is not connected to your profile and is not visible to other users. After a few months, Facebook's backup systems also purge your deleted account data.

What you cannot do after deletion

Once your account is deleted, you cannot use the same email address to create a new Facebook account for several months. Facebook's system locks that email to prevent immediate re-registration. If you want to create a new Facebook account, you will need to wait or use a different email address.

You also lose access to any third-party services that use your Facebook login. If you signed into Instagram, Spotify, a dating app, or other services using "Login with Facebook", those connections break. You will need to create separate passwords for those services or log in using another method. Check your connected apps before you delete if you rely on Facebook login for other accounts.

If you change your mind during the 30-day grace period

Simply log back into your Facebook account during the 30 days after you request deletion. Your account will reactivate and deletion will be cancelled. All your data returns exactly as it was. After 30 days have passed, you cannot recover your account — it is permanently gone.

The grace period exists specifically to protect you from accidental deletion. If you delete by mistake or change your mind shortly after, logging back in is the only way to undo it. Make sure you are certain about deletion before the 30 days expire, because there is no recovery option after that point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account from the mobile app?

Yes. On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu), scroll down to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, scroll to Deactivation and Deletion, and choose Delete Account. The process is the same as on desktop.

Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?

No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts, even though Facebook owns Instagram. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram. You must delete Instagram separately if you want to remove that account too.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete?

Go to facebook.com and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a reset link. After you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with deletion. If you cannot access your email or phone, use Facebook's account recovery tool to regain access first.

Does Facebook delete my account immediately or after 30 days?

Your profile disappears immediately after you request deletion, but the account is not permanently erased for 30 days. During those 30 days, you can log back in to cancel the deletion. After 30 days, permanent deletion is complete and you cannot recover the account.

Can someone else delete my Facebook account?

No. Only you can delete your own account, and Facebook requires your password to confirm. If you believe someone else has access to your account, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication before proceeding with deletion.