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

You can deactivate your account, which hides it temporarily, or delete it, which removes it permanently. Deactivation is reversible — you can log back in anytime within 30 days and restore everything. Deletion is not reversible after 30 days. Facebook keeps your information for that month in case you change your mind, then removes it from their servers.

Most people who want to leave Facebook should delete rather than deactivate, because deactivation only hides your profile. Your friends can still see old messages and posts you made in groups. Deletion removes you from those places too, though it takes the full 30 days to complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days, but you can restore your account if you log in during that month-long window.
  • Deactivation only hides your profile and messages — it does not remove you from groups or old conversations.
  • Download your photos and posts before you delete, because Facebook will not send them to you afterward.
  • You must use the account you want to delete to start the deletion process — you cannot delete someone else's account.
  • After deletion completes, some information like messages you sent to others may stay on their accounts.

How to delete your account in three steps

Open Facebook and log in to the account you want to delete. Go to Settings and Privacy (the gear icon in the top right), then select Settings. On the left side, 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 it is really you. Answer them, then click Delete Account again.

Your account is now in deletion mode. You have 30 days to change your mind. If you log in during this period, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass with no login, Facebook permanently removes your account and all its data from their servers.

Save your photos and posts before you delete

Once your account is deleted, you cannot get your photos, videos, or posts back from Facebook. If you want to keep them, download them first. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information and Permissions, then Download Your Information.

Facebook will prepare a file with all your photos, videos, posts, and messages. This can take a few hours or a few days depending on how much content you have. When it is ready, Facebook will send you a download link by email. The file is yours to keep — you can save it to your computer or external drive.

Do this before you start the deletion process, because once deletion begins, you cannot download your information anymore.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after your account is deleted. They will see your name, but clicking it will not open a profile. If someone tags you in a photo before you delete, that photo stays on their account and in the group or page where it was posted — your deletion does not remove it.

Comments you made on other people's posts will disappear from their timelines once deletion is complete. However, if someone quoted your comment or screenshotted it, that copy stays with them. Facebook cannot remove information that other people have already saved.

Deactivation: the temporary option

If you are not sure you want to leave Facebook permanently, deactivate instead. Your profile, photos, and posts disappear from Facebook, and your friends cannot search for you or see your timeline. You will not receive notifications or messages from Facebook.

However, Facebook keeps all your data. Your messages stay in other people's inboxes. Your old posts remain in groups and on pages where you posted them. If you log back in within 30 days, everything returns exactly as it was — your friends will see your profile again, and you will get notifications again.

After 30 days of deactivation with no login, Facebook begins the deletion process automatically. You still have the full 30-day deletion window to restore your account if you change your mind.

Removing Facebook from your phone and computer

Deleting your account does not automatically remove the Facebook app from your phone or the website from your browser. After your account is deleted, you can still see the login screen, but you will not be able to log in.

To clean up, uninstall the Facebook app from your phone by holding down the app icon and selecting Uninstall (on Android) or Remove App (on iPhone). On your computer, you can delete any bookmarks to Facebook. If you use Facebook Login to sign into other apps or websites, those accounts will still work — Facebook Login is separate from your Facebook account itself.

What to do if you cannot log in to delete

If you forgot your password or cannot access your account, you cannot delete it yourself. Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgotten Password. Facebook will walk you through resetting your password using your email address or phone number.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, Facebook has a recovery process. Click Forgotten Password, then No Longer Have Access to These? Facebook will ask you to upload a photo ID to confirm you are the account owner. This can take several days. Once Facebook confirms your identity, you can reset your password and proceed with deletion.

If someone else has taken over your account, report it to Facebook instead of trying to delete it. Go to facebook.com/hacked and follow the steps to secure your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Facebook account without a password?

No. You must log in to your account to delete it. If you forgot your password, use the Forgotten Password link on the login page to reset it. If you cannot access your email or phone, Facebook's identity verification process can help you regain access.

What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete?

Your listings disappear immediately, and buyers cannot contact you. If you have active sales or pending messages, complete those transactions before you delete. After deletion, you cannot respond to inquiries about items you listed.

Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts even though the same company owns them. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You must delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.

Can I delete my account if I am locked out for security reasons?

If Facebook locked your account for suspicious activity, you can still delete it. Log in using the recovery process, then go to Settings and Privacy and proceed with deletion. If you cannot log in, use the identity verification process at facebook.com/hacked.

How long does it take for my account to be completely gone?

Thirty days from the moment you click Delete Account. During those 30 days, your account is hidden but recoverable if you log in. After 30 days with no login, Facebook removes your data from their servers permanently.