How to Delete a Facebook Page

Deciding to delete your Facebook Page is a significant move, whether you're rebranding, simplifying your digital footprint, or closing a business. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for both permanently deleting and temporarily unpublishing your Page, helping you handle the process cleanly and with confidence.

Before You Delete: An Essential Checklist

Once a Facebook Page is permanently deleted, there's no going back. Before you take the final step, it’s a good idea to run through this quick checklist to make sure you aren't leaving anything important behind.

1. Save Your Content and Information

You’ve likely spent years creating posts, uploading photos, and sharing videos. Don’t let that hard work disappear forever. Facebook allows you to download a complete copy of your Page's information, including:

• Posts, photos, and videos you've shared.
• Page information from the "About" section.
• Active ad campaigns and settings.
• A list of your Page followers and roles.

Here’s how to download a copy of your Page:

1. From your Page, click your profile picture in the top right and go to Settings &, Privacy >, Settings.
2. In the left-hand menu, select Privacy, then click Your Facebook Information.
3. Beside "Download Profile Information," click View.
4. You can choose the format (HTML is easier to browse, JSON is for importing elsewhere), media quality, and date range. You can also select exactly which types of information you want to download.
5. Once you’ve made your selections, click Request a download.

The process can take some time, from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how much content you have. Facebook will notify you when your file is ready to download.

2. Inform Your Audience

If you have an active community, letting your page go without a word can be confusing or feel abrupt to your followers. Consider creating a final post a week or two ahead of your planned deletion date. Let people know why the Page is closing and, more importantly, where they can find you next. Whether it's a new website, a different social media account, or an email newsletter, give your followers a path to stay connected.

3. Check for Connected Apps and Services

Did you ever use your Facebook Page to log into third-party apps or services? Many marketing tools, contest platforms, or other business software connect directly to your account. Deleting your Page can break these connections. Take a moment to review which services are linked to your Page by going to Settings &, Privacy >, Settings >, Security and Login >, Business Integrations. Make note of anything important and disconnect it or update it with a new account if needed.

Delete vs. Unpublish: Knowing the Difference

Are you certain you want to erase your Page completely, or would you rather just take it offline for a while? Understanding the distinction between deleting and unpublishing is vital before you make a choice.

Unpublishing (Deactivating): The “Pause Button”

Unpublishing is a reversible action that makes your Page invisible to the public. Essentially, you're hiding it. Think of it as taking your Page offline without losing any of your content, followers, or settings. Only the Page admins can see it.

You should consider unpublishing if:

• You're rebranding and aren't ready to launch the new look yet.
• Your business is seasonal, and you want to go quiet during the off-season.
• You need a temporary break from managing the Page but plan to return.

You can republish the Page at any time, and everything will be exactly as you left it.

Deleting: The Permanent Goodbye

Deletion is permanent. When you delete your Facebook Page, you are telling Facebook to permanently remove all of its content and data. Facebook gives you a 30-day grace period after you start the process, during which the Page is deactivated (similar to being unpublished). If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion.

However, once that 30-day window closes, your Page and all of its content are gone for good. There is no way to recover it.

You should only choose deletion if:

• Your business has permanently closed.
• The page is a duplicate or was created in error.
• You are 100% sure you will never need the Page or its contents again.

How to Unpublish Your Facebook Page (A Step-by-Step Guide)

If you've decided to temporarily take your Page offline, here’s how to unpublish it quickly. Note that you must be an admin of the page to do this.

Desktop Instructions:

1. Navigate to the Facebook Page you wish to unpublish.
2. From your Page's feed, click on Settings in the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Privacy, then select Facebook Page Information.
4. You'll see a section at the bottom titled Deactivate or delete your Page. Find this and hit the View button.
5. From here, you'll be presented with two main options. Deactivate a page needs to be chosen. Press the Continue button.
6. Facebook will ask for your password to confirm your identity. Enter it and click Continue. Your Page is now unpublished and hidden from public view.

Mobile Instructions (Facebook App):

1. Open the Facebook app and switch to the profile of the Page you want to unpublish.
2. Tap the menu button (three horizontal lines).
3. Scroll down and tap Settings &, Privacy >, Settings.
4. Tap the Page Settings option.
5. Scroll down to the Facebook Page information section and tap Access and control.
6. Tap Deactivation and Deletion. Be sure to select the "Deactivate Page" option and tap Continue. Your Page will now be safely hidden.

To reactivate the page, just follow the same path again. You'll instead be asked to simply reactivate. Hit the button, and the page will go live again.

How to Permanently Delete a Facebook Page (Step-by-Step Guide)

Ready to move forward with permanent removal? Remember, this action cannot be undone after the 30-day grace period. Be sure you have saved your data before beginning.

Note: Facebook's layout, known as the "New Pages Experience," is what these instructions are based on.

Desktop Instructions:

1. Go to the Facebook Page you want to delete. Make sure you are acting as the Page profile.
2. Click your Page’s profile picture in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select Settings &, Privacy, then click Settings.
4. In the left menu, select Privacy, then click Your Facebook Information.
5. Scroll to the section "Deactivation and deletion" and click View.
6. Here, choose the Delete Page option. Read the explanation carefully. It will state that this is a permanent action.
7. Click Continue. Facebook may ask you to download your information one last time or transfer ownership.
8. Confirm your choice by re-entering your password. Click Continue to schedule your Page for deletion.

Mobile Instructions (Facebook App):

1. Open the app and switch to your Page's profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu icon.
3. Go to Settings &, Privacy and then tap Privacy Shortcuts.
4. Scroll down to the "Your Facebook Information" section.
5. Tap the link Delete your account and information.
6. On the next screen, ensure you select Delete Page.
7. You'll get a prompt for security. Please enter the correct password for your account, tap Continue, and your Page's deletion process will begin.

What happens after you request a page deletion?

Once you click that final confirmation, your Page isn’t gone just yet. It immediately enters a 30-day deactivation period. During this time:

• Your Page is no longer visible to the general public.
• You can cancel the deletion process at any time by logging into your Page. Doing so will automatically stop the permanent deletion.

Think about this decision carefully. If you do not sign in to the Page within the 30-day window, your Facebook Page and all of its data will be permanently erased. This action cannot be reversed. Make sure you are fully aware of the consequences this may have on your business.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re deactivating for a short break or deleting for a fresh start, managing your Facebook Page’s lifecycle is straightforward once you know the steps. Just remember the crucial distinction: unpublishing is a pause button you can reverse anytime, while deleting is a permanent choice that erases your Page's history for good.

We know that simplifying your online presence often comes from feeling overwhelmed by the very tools meant to help you. That’s why we created Postbase, a social media management platform focused on clarity and control. By seeing all your content on a visual calendar, scheduling posts reliably across platforms, and getting analytics on what's actually working, you can manage all your accounts from a single dashboard. This hands you back your most valuable asset: time. That gives you more clarity and focused energy to double down on the strategies that will move your brand to the next level.