How to Delete a Facebook Account

Thinking about deleting your Facebook account? You're in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the difference between deactivating and deleting to the final step-by-step process. We’ll also cover the important safety checks you should complete before you hit that final delete button.

Deactivate vs. Delete: A Breakdown of Your Options

First things first, you have two options for taking a break from Facebook: deactivating or deleting. They sound similar, but the consequences are very different. Understanding the distinction is the most important step in this process so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

Temporarily Deactivating Your Account

Think of deactivation as putting your account on pause. It’s a temporary solution for when you need a break but think you might want to return later.

• Your profile disappears: Your timeline, photos, and posts will be hidden from public view and from your friends. People won't be able to search for you or see your profile.
• Your name might still appear elsewhere: Your name could still be visible in your friends' friends lists and in messages you've sent.
• Messenger can remain active: You can choose to keep using Facebook Messenger even with your main account deactivated. This allows you to stay in touch with your contacts without the full Facebook experience.
• You can come back anytime: The biggest advantage of deactivation is its flexibility. To reactivate your account, all you have to do is log back in with your email and password. Everything will be just as you left it.

Permanently Deleting Your Account

Deletion is the permanent, nuclear option. When you delete your account, you’re wiping it from existence for good. This action is not reversible once a specific grace period has passed.

• Everything is permanently removed: All of your posts, photos, videos, timeline information, and profile details will be permanently erased.
• You cannot regain access: Once your account is deleted, it's gone forever. You won’t be able to get it back.
• Messenger goes too: Deleting your Facebook account also deletes your Messenger account and all of your messages.
• There is a 30-day grace period: Facebook doesn't delete your account the second you request it. There is a 30-day window during which you can log back in to cancel the deletion process. After those 30 days, the process begins, and you can't stop it.
• Content deletion takes time: According to Facebook, it may take up to 90 days from the beginning of the deletion process to remove all of the content you've posted. Your information isn’t accessible on Facebook during this time, but copies might remain in their backup systems for disaster recovery.

Which One is Right for You?

If you're unsure or just need a mental health break from the scroll, deactivating is almost always the better choice. It gives you the space you need without the permanent loss of years of photos and connections. If you are 100% certain you want to leave the platform forever and erase your data, then deleting is the way to go, but only after you’ve prepared properly.

Your Pre-Deletion Checklist: 4 Things to Do Before Deleting Your Account

Jumping straight to the delete button can lead to big regrets later. You might lose precious memories, get locked out of other online accounts, or unintentionally delete a group or page you manage. Run through this checklist first to save yourself a future headache.

1. Download a Copy of Your Facebook Information

Over the years, you've likely uploaded countless photos, videos, and life updates. Facebook allows you to download a comprehensive archive of all your information. This includes:

• Your posts, photos, and videos
• Your direct messages on Messenger
• Your friends list and Pages you've liked
• Comments you've made on posts
• Events you've been invited to
• Profile information and contact details
• Ad data that Facebook has on you

How to Download Your Data:

1. Click the downward arrow in the top-right corner and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on Your Facebook Information.
3. Find the option for Download Your Information and click View.
4. You can choose a date range, format (HTML is easiest to browse), and media quality. You can also select which specific categories of information you want to download. To get everything, just leave it all checked.
5. Click Request a download. The process can take a few minutes or a few hours, depending on how much data you have. You'll get a notification when your file is ready to be downloaded.

2. Check Your Third-Party App Logins

Do you use "Log in with Facebook" for services like Spotify, Instagram, Airbnb, or countless other websites and apps? If you delete your Facebook account, you will lose access to them. Before doing anything, you need to disconnect Facebook and set up a new login method for each service, typically by creating a new password with your email address.

How to Check App Logins:

1. Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. Scroll down and find Apps and Websites in the left sidebar.
3. Here you will see a list of all the apps and websites connected to your Facebook account. Go through each one you still use, visit that service’s website directly, and find the option in your account settings to create a direct login with a password.

Do not skip this step! It is one of the most common reasons for regretting a hasty account deletion.

3. Transfer Ownership of Your Pages and Groups

If you're the sole admin of a Facebook Page or Group, deleting your account could have serious consequences. For some Pages, if the only admin deletes their account, the Page will be unpublished and inaccessible. For Groups, the Group may be left without an admin, which could lead to it being archived.

To prevent this, you need to add at least one other trusted person as an Admin for any Page or Group you manage. This transfers control and keeps the community going after you're gone.

4. Let Your Friends and Family Know

A quick post letting people know you're leaving the platform can be a good idea. This gives anyone who primarily contacts you through Facebook a heads-up and a chance to get your phone number or email if they don't have it already. It prevents loved ones from wondering what happened to you.

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account: Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you’ve completed the checklist and are sure that permanent deletion is the path you want to take, you’re ready. The process is slightly different on a computer versus a mobile device.

On a Desktop Computer (Web Browser):

1. Click on the downward arrow icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
2. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, and then click Settings.
3. In the left-hand navigation pane, click on Your Facebook Information.
4. Find and click on Deactivation and Deletion.
5. Select Delete Account, and then click Continue to Account Deletion.
6. You'll be shown a screen reminding you to download your information or transfer Page ownership (which you've hopefully already done!). Click Delete Account.
7. For the final verification step, enter your password and click Continue.

That's it. Your account is now scheduled for permanent deletion in 30 days.

On a Mobile Device (iPhone or Android):

Meta has begun consolidating account settings into a new "Account Center," so these steps reflect that updated interface.

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right corner (iPhone) or top-right corner (Android).
2. Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
3. Tap on See more in Account Center. This is usually at the very top of the Settings page.
4. Under "Account settings," tap on Personal details.
5. Tap on Account ownership and control.
6. Tap on Deactivation or deletion.
7. Select the Facebook account or profile you want to delete.
8. Choose Delete account and tap Continue. You’ll be asked to provide a reason for leaving, you can select one or simply tap Continue.
9. Confirm your choice by tapping Continue again, then enter your password for the final step.

What Happens During the 30-Day Cancellation Period?

After confirming deletion, your account enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, your profile is hidden, but nothing has been permanently deleted yet.

If you change your mind, all you have to do is log back into Facebook within those 30 days. You'll receive a prompt asking if you'd like to cancel the scheduled deletion. If you agree, your account will be fully restored, and it'll be as if you never left. If you do not log in during that period, your account and all its data will be gone for good.

Final Thoughts

Deciding to leave Facebook is a personal choice, and doing it thoughtfully can save you from losing important data and access to other services. By first choosing between deactivation and deletion, completing the pre-deletion checklist, and then following the correct steps, you can confidently and smoothly manage your exit from the platform.

For many business owners and marketers, simply leaving isn't an option, but the daily pressure of managing a brand's social presence can be overwhelming. Before taking the drastic step of deleting a business account, we built Postbase to solve this very problem. It brings all your platforms - including video-first ones like TikTok and Reels - into one calm, organized space. By simplifying scheduling, planning, and engagement into a single, reliable hub, we help creators handle the chaos of social media management without the burnout.