The two ways to remove Facebook from your phone

You can either uninstall the app — which removes it completely — or sign out — which keeps it installed but logs you out. Uninstalling is permanent unless you reinstall it later. Signing out is faster if you think you might use Facebook again soon, but the app still takes up storage space on your phone.

Most people uninstall if they want Facebook off their phone entirely. You can always reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play later if you change your mind. Signing out is useful if you share a phone with someone else or want to take a break without fully removing the app.

The choice depends on whether you want the app gone from your device or just want to step away from your account temporarily. Both options leave your Facebook account untouched — uninstalling removes only the app, and signing out removes only your login session.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling Facebook removes the app and all its data from your phone, but you can reinstall it anytime by downloading it again from your app store.
  • On iPhone, press and hold the Facebook app icon, tap "Remove App," then choose "Delete App" to uninstall it completely.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, find Facebook, and tap "Uninstall" to remove it.
  • Signing out instead of uninstalling keeps the app on your phone but logs you out of your account, which is useful if you share your phone with others.
  • Your Facebook account itself is not deleted when you uninstall the app — only the app is removed from your phone.

How to uninstall Facebook on iPhone

Find the Facebook app icon on your home screen or in your app library. Press and hold the icon until a menu appears with several options. Tap "Remove App" from the menu that pops up.

A second menu will ask you to confirm. Tap "Delete App" to remove it from your iPhone. The app and all its data stored on your phone will be deleted. Your Facebook account remains active online — only the app is gone from your device.

How to uninstall Facebook on Android

Open your phone's Settings app. Scroll down and tap "Apps" or "Application Manager" — the exact name varies by phone brand. Search for or scroll to find "Facebook" in the list of installed apps.

Tap on Facebook, then tap the "Uninstall" button at the top of the screen. Confirm that you want to uninstall it when prompted. The app will be removed from your phone immediately. Like on iPhone, your Facebook account stays active — you are only removing the app from your device.

How to sign out of Facebook without uninstalling

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Log Out." You will be signed out of your account, but the app remains on your phone.

The next time you open Facebook, you will see the login screen. This method is useful if you share your phone with family members or want to pause Facebook without fully removing the app. The app still uses storage space on your phone, but no one can access your account without your password.

What happens to your data when you uninstall

Uninstalling the Facebook app removes only the copy stored on your phone. Your account, messages, photos, and posts all remain on Facebook's servers. When you reinstall the app and log back in, everything will be there exactly as you left it.

The app also stores some data locally on your phone — cached images, temporary files, and login information. Uninstalling deletes all of that. If you reinstall later, the app will download fresh copies of what you need when you log back in.

Reinstalling Facebook later

If you uninstall Facebook and later want it back, open the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android. Search for "Facebook" and tap "Get" or the cloud icon to reinstall it. Sign in with your username and password, and your account will be exactly as you left it.

Reinstalling takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. You do not lose anything by uninstalling — your account, messages, and photos are all stored on Facebook's servers, not on your phone. The reinstall process is the same as downloading any other app for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Facebook delete my account?

No. Uninstalling the app only removes it from your phone. Your Facebook account, all your posts, messages, and photos remain on Facebook's servers. To permanently delete your account, you would need to go to Facebook's settings on a web browser and request account deletion.

Can I use Facebook on my phone without the app?

Yes. You can open a web browser on your phone and go to facebook.com to use Facebook without the app installed. The mobile website works on any phone with internet access and does not require you to download anything.

Will uninstalling Facebook free up storage space?

Yes, but usually not much. The Facebook app typically uses 100 to 300 megabytes of space depending on your phone and how long you have had it installed. If your phone is running low on storage, uninstalling can help, but larger apps or photo libraries usually take up more space.

What is the difference between uninstalling and disabling the app?

Uninstalling removes the app completely. Disabling (available on some Android phones) turns off the app so it does not run, but it stays on your phone taking up storage. Uninstalling is more thorough if you want the app completely gone.