How to Delete a Secondary Facebook Account

Ready to get rid of that extra Facebook account you no longer use? Whether it’s an old profile from high school, a test account for your business, or one you simply forgot you made, removing it is a great way to clean up your digital footprint. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from backing up your data to clicking that final delete button, for both desktop and mobile.

First Things First: Should You Deactivate or Permanently Delete?

Before you remove an account, you have two options with very different outcomes: deactivating and deleting. Understanding the distinction is the most important step in this process, as choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration later.

Deactivating Your Account (The Temporary “Pause” Button)

Think of deactivation as putting your account into hibernation. It’s a temporary, fully reversible solution. Here’s what happens when you deactivate:

• Your profile, photos, and posts are immediately hidden from public view on Facebook.
• Your name might still appear on friends' lists or in messages you've sent.
• You can still use Facebook Messenger to chat with friends.
• You can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging back in with your email and password. All your friend connections and photos will be exactly as you left them.

When to choose deactivation: This is the perfect option if you just need a break from social media, want a temporary digital detox, or are unsure if you’ll want to come back to the account in the future.

Deleting Your Account (The Permanent Goodbye)

Deletion is the permanent, irreversible option. Once an account is deleted, there’s no getting it back. Here’s what this choice entails:

• Your account and all its data - photos, posts, messages, and information - will be permanently erased.
• You will not be able to reactivate your account.
• Other services or apps where you've used your Facebook login might become inaccessible.
• Interestingly, Facebook gives you a 30-day grace period. If you log back in within 30 days of starting the deletion process, you can cancel it. After those 30 days, the process begins, and it can take up to 90 days for all your data to be fully wiped from their servers.

When to choose deletion: This is the right move if you're certain you will never need the account again and want to permanently remove your data associated with it. This is ideal for old, unused, or duplicate profiles.

Before You Delete: A Critical Checklist

Permanent means permanent. Before you commit, run through this quick checklist to avoid losing important information or access to other services. Taking five minutes now can save you major headaches later.

1. Download a Copy of Your Information

You’ve likely accumulated years of photos, posts, and conversations. Facebook lets you download a comprehensive copy of your entire history. This archive can include everything from your wall posts and photos to messages you’ve sent on Messenger.

To do this, go to Settings & Privacy >, Settings >, Accounts Center >, Your information and permissions >, Download your information. Here you can request a file containing all your data.

2. Check for Connected Apps and Logins

Over the years, you've probably used your Facebook account to sign up for dozens of other apps and websites, like Spotify, DoorDash, or online games. If you delete your Facebook account, you could lose access to them. Make a list of these connected services and switch your login method to a direct email and password before deleting your Facebook account.

3. Address Ownership of Facebook Pages or Groups

If the secondary account you're deleting is the sole administrator of a Facebook Page or Group, you will lose control of it once the account is gone. The page or group could become "unowned" and rudderless. To prevent this, go into the Page or Group settings and add another one of your accounts (or a trusted friend) as a new admin. Once they have full admin privileges, you can safely delete the old account without impacting the Page or Group.

4. Let People Know (Optional)

If you used this secondary account to connect with certain friends, family, or professional contacts, consider posting a final status update. Let them know you’re deleting the account and provide another way for them to stay in touch, whether it's through your primary Facebook profile, an email address, or another social media platform.

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

Once you’ve gone through the checklist and are ready to proceed, follow these steps. The path is the same for both deactivation and deletion until the very last step. Facebook has consolidated these settings into its "Accounts Center."

Deleting from a Desktop Browser:

1. Log into the specific Facebook account you want to delete.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, then click on Settings.
4. This will open the Accounts Center on the left-hand side. Click on it to see more options, if it's not already open.
5. Under "Account settings," click on Personal details.
6. Next, click on Account ownership and control.
7. Select Deactivation or deletion.
8. Choose the account you wish to delete.
9. Here you'll see the two options. Select Delete account (Permanent) and click Continue.
10. Facebook will ask for your password one last time and may ask why you're leaving. Follow the final on-screen prompts to confirm account deletion.

Remember, the 30-day grace period starts now. Do not log into the account for 30 days for the deletion to become permanent.

Deleting from the Facebook Mobile App (iOS or Android):

1. Open the Facebook app and log into the correct account.
2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right (for iOS) or top-right (for Android) of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
4. At the very top, you’ll see the Accounts Center panel. Tap "See more in Accounts Center".
5. Under the "Account settings" section, tap on Personal details.
6. Tap on Account ownership and control.
7. Tap Deactivation or deletion.
8. Select the account you want to remove.
9. Choose Delete account and tap Continue.
10. Follow the prompts, re-enter your password, and confirm your decision to permanently delete the account.

Common Problems and How to Navigate Them

Sometimes, deleting an account isn't as simple as following the steps. Here are a few common hiccups and what to do about them.

What if I forgot my password?

You can't delete an account without the password. Before you start, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Facebook login page. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with the account to reset it and gain access.

What if I can't access the email or phone number associated with the account?

This is tougher. Your best bet is to go through Facebook's account recovery process. Go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps. You'll need to prove you're the account owner, which can be difficult without the original contact info, but it's the only official route.

What about my Messenger history?

When you deactivate your account, your Messenger remains active. People can still message you and see your past conversations. When you permanently delete your account, your Messenger data eventually gets deleted too. However, the messages you sent will still remain in the inboxes of the people you sent them to - you just won't be listed as the sender (it will often say "Facebook User").

Final Thoughts

Removing a secondary Facebook account you no longer need is a liberating step toward simplifying your online presence. Whether you choose the temporary pause of deactivation or the permanent finality of deletion, following these steps ensures you do it safely and without losing control of important data or connected services.

Once you’ve streamlined your personal accounts, managing the remaining ones for your brand or business shouldn't be a headache. We built Postbase because we were tired of wrestling with outdated social media tools that make simple tasks feel complicated. Our goal is to give you a clean, modern, and reliable platform to plan your content calendar, schedule posts that actually publish, engage with your audience in one inbox, and see what's working with clear analytics - all without pulling your hair out.