Delete a post you just shared

To remove a post you've published on Facebook, find the post on your timeline or in your News Feed. Look for the three dots (or sometimes a downward arrow) in the top right corner of the post itself — not the comment section, but the post box. Click those dots.

A menu will appear with several options. Select Delete. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Delete Post again. The post is now gone from your timeline and from other people's feeds. It will no longer appear in search results or when someone visits your profile.

This works the same way whether you posted text, a photo, a video, or a link. The three-dot menu is always in the same spot: the top right of the post box.

Key Takeaways

  • Find the three dots in the top right corner of the post you want to remove, then select Delete from the menu that appears.
  • Once deleted, the post disappears from your timeline, other people's feeds, and search results immediately.
  • If you delete a post with comments or reactions, those comments and reactions are deleted along with it.
  • You can delete your own posts at any time, but you cannot delete posts that other people made on your timeline — only hide them or ask the person to remove them.
  • On mobile, the three-dot menu may appear as a downward arrow or require you to tap and hold the post first.

Delete a post from your mobile phone

On iPhone or Android, open the Facebook app and navigate to the post you want to remove. The three-dot menu is still in the top right corner of the post. Tap it to open the options menu.

Scroll down in that menu until you see Delete. Tap it, then confirm by tapping Delete Post when Facebook asks. The post is removed immediately. If the three-dot menu doesn't appear right away, try tapping and holding the post for a second or two — sometimes the menu appears that way instead.

Delete a post someone else made on your timeline

You cannot delete posts that other people wrote on your timeline, but you have two options: hide the post or ask the person to remove it themselves.

To hide a post, tap the three dots on that post and select Hide from timeline. The post stays on the other person's profile and in their friends' feeds, but it no longer appears on your timeline or when someone visits your profile.

To ask the person to delete it, tap the three dots and select Report post or Send message. If you choose to report it, Facebook will review whether it violates their rules. If you message the person directly, you can explain why you'd like them to remove it. Many people will delete a post if you ask politely and explain your concern.

What happens to comments and reactions when you delete a post

When you delete a post, every comment, like, and reaction attached to it is deleted as well. If someone left a thoughtful comment you want to keep, consider editing the post instead of deleting it — you can remove just the text or image that bothers you while leaving the comments intact.

To edit a post, tap the three dots and select Edit post. Change the text or remove the image, then tap Save. The post stays live with the same comments and reactions, but with your new version of the content.

Recover a post you deleted by accident

Facebook does not restore deleted posts through a standard recovery option. Once you delete a post, it is gone for good. However, if you deleted it within the last few minutes, you might see an Undo button appear at the bottom of your screen — tap it immediately to bring the post back.

If you don't see the Undo button or too much time has passed, the post cannot be recovered through Facebook itself. If the post contained important information, you may have a copy saved elsewhere — in your phone's photos, in your email, or in a document. Check those places first before assuming the content is lost entirely.

Delete multiple posts at once

Facebook does not have a built-in tool to delete many posts in one action. You must delete each post individually by finding it, tapping the three dots, and selecting Delete. If you have a large number of posts to remove, this takes time, but there is no faster way through Facebook's standard features.

If you want to remove all posts from a certain time period, start with your most recent posts and work backward. This way you can see what you're deleting as you go. Alternatively, you can adjust your privacy settings so that only you can see old posts — this keeps them on your profile but hides them from other people without actually deleting them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a post after someone has shared it?

Yes. Deleting your post removes it from your timeline and from Facebook's search results. However, if someone shared your post before you deleted it, their share may still be visible on their timeline or in their friends' feeds. You cannot control what other people have already shared, but deleting the original post stops it from being shared further.

Does deleting a post notify the people who commented on it?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to people who commented on your post when you delete it. They may notice the post is gone if they look for it, but they won't receive a message about it. Their comments disappear along with the post.

What's the difference between deleting a post and archiving it?

Deleting removes the post completely and it cannot be recovered. Archiving hides the post from your timeline and from other people's view, but you can unarchive it later to make it visible again. Facebook does not have an official archive feature for individual posts, but adjusting privacy settings can achieve a similar result.

Can I delete a post I made in a Facebook group?

Yes, if you wrote the post. Find the three dots on your post in the group and select Delete. If someone else posted it, you can only delete it if you are the group administrator. Regular group members can only delete their own posts.

Will deleting a post remove it from Facebook's servers?

Deleted posts are removed from public view immediately, but Facebook may retain data about the post in its systems for a period of time for technical and legal reasons. For practical purposes, the post is gone and no longer visible to you or anyone else.