Facebook gives you two ways to stop using your account: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and messages from other people, but Facebook keeps your data. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in. Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days. Facebook still keeps some data for legal reasons, but your profile and posts become inaccessible to other users.

Most people choose deactivation if they might return. Choose deletion if you want to leave permanently and don't plan to come back. The 30-day waiting period gives you time to change your mind — if you log in during those 30 days, the deletion cancels and your account stays active.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account but keeps your data; deletion removes it permanently after a 30-day waiting period.
  • You can reactivate a deactivated account anytime by logging in, but you cannot undo a deletion after the 30 days pass.
  • Facebook keeps some information even after deletion for legal and safety reasons, but your posts and profile become invisible to other users.
  • Messages you sent to others remain visible to them even after you delete your account.
  • Before deleting, download your photos and posts if you want to keep copies.

How to deactivate your Facebook account

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to find "Deactivation and Deletion" — this option appears near the bottom of the settings menu. Click or tap it, then select "Deactivate Account." Facebook will ask why you're leaving and whether you want to receive email notifications. Answer or skip these questions, then click "Deactivate."

Your profile disappears immediately. Friends cannot find you, see your posts, or send you messages. If you change your mind within weeks or months, log back in with your email and password, and your account reactivates with everything restored.

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Find "Deactivation and Deletion" and select "Delete Account" instead of Deactivate. Facebook asks you to confirm your password and shows you what will happen. Click "Delete Account" to start the 30-day countdown.

During these 30 days, your account is invisible to everyone else, but you can still log in. If you log in at any point, the deletion stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Facebook permanently removes your account. Your profile, photos, and posts become inaccessible, though Facebook retains some data for legal compliance and fraud prevention.

What happens to your messages and data after deletion

Messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes even after you delete your account. They can still read what you wrote, but your name may appear as "Facebook User" instead of your real name. If you want to remove specific messages, you have to delete them individually before you delete your account.

Photos you posted in other people's albums or tagged in their posts may remain visible. You can untag yourself from photos before deletion, but you cannot remove photos that other people uploaded. Comments you made on public pages or groups may also stay visible.

Facebook keeps some information for legal reasons — transaction records, payment history, and reports you made about abuse. This data is not visible to other users and is separate from your profile.

Download your information before you delete

If you want copies of your photos, videos, posts, or messages, download them before you delete your account. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Look for "Your Information and Permissions" and select "Download Your Information." Choose what you want to download — photos, posts, messages, friends list — and the format you prefer (HTML or JSON). Facebook creates a file and emails it to you, usually within a few hours.

This download includes most of your personal content but not messages from other people or comments others made on your posts. Keep the file somewhere safe if you want to preserve your memories or transfer them to another platform.

Removing Facebook from other apps and websites

If you used your Facebook login to sign into other apps or websites, those accounts do not automatically close when you delete Facebook. You need to change their passwords and remove Facebook access separately. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, and find "Apps and Websites." Review what apps have permission to access your Facebook data and remove the ones you no longer use.

For apps you want to keep, change their passwords so they no longer depend on your Facebook login. This prevents you from being locked out after your Facebook account is gone.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you cannot delete your account through the normal process. Go to facebook.com/login/identify to recover your account. Enter your email, phone number, or username, and Facebook sends you a recovery code. Use that code to regain access, then follow the deletion steps above.

If you cannot recover your account and do not have access to the email or phone number attached to it, contact Facebook's support team through their Help Center. Explain that you want to delete an account you cannot access. Response times vary, but Facebook will eventually process the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after the 30-day deletion period ends?

No. After 30 days pass without you logging in, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you think you might return, choose deactivation instead — you can reactivate a deactivated account anytime.

Will deleting my Facebook account delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?

No. Facebook owns Instagram and WhatsApp, but they are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect them. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.

What if I log in during the 30-day waiting period?

Logging in cancels the deletion and your account returns to normal immediately. You can then use Facebook as usual, or start the deletion process again if you change your mind.

Does Facebook delete my data from their servers when I delete my account?

Facebook removes your profile and posts from public view, but keeps some data for legal, safety, and fraud-prevention reasons. This retained data is not visible to other users and is not connected to your profile.

Can I delete my account on my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Find "Deactivation and Deletion" and follow the same steps as on a computer.