How to Unpublish a Facebook Page on Mobile

Thinking about taking your Facebook Page offline for a little while without deleting it for good? You’re in the right place. This guide will show you exactly how to unpublish your Facebook Page directly from your mobile device. We’ll cover why it's a smart temporary move, the crystal-clear difference between unpublishing and deleting, and the simple step-by-step process to get it done.

Unpublishing vs. Deleting Your Facebook Page: What’s the Big Difference?

First things first, it's important to understand that unpublishing and deleting are two very different actions with very different outcomes. Making the wrong choice could mean losing years of hard work, so let's break it down.

Unpublishing your Page is like temporarily closing your shop for renovations. It makes your Page completely invisible to the public - visitors, followers, and even people who have liked it won't be able to find it via search or a direct link. However, for you and any other admins, the Page remains fully accessible. You can still see all your posts, photos, follower data, and insights. You can even edit content, draft new posts, and change your Page settings behind the scenes. When you're ready, you can republish it with a single tap, and everything will reappear just as you left it. It's a completely reversible, low-risk move.

Deleting your Page, on the other hand, is the nuclear option. It's like demolishing the entire building. When you choose to delete, Facebook gives you a 30-day grace period during which you can change your mind. But after those 30 days are up, everything is gone - permanently. Your posts, photos, videos, stories, follower lists, and all the engagement you've built over time will be erased forever. There’s no undo button once the process is complete.

In short: If you just need a break or want to hide your Page while you work on things, unpublish it. If you are 100% certain you never want to see the Page again, you can consider deleting it.

So, Why Would You Unpublish Your Page Anyway?

Taking your page offline might seem counterintuitive, but there are several strategic reasons why it can be a brilliant move for brand managers, entrepreneurs, and content creators. It’s not about giving up, it’s about taking control.

• You're in the Middle of a Rebrand. If you’re changing your logo, business name, brand colors, or overall messaging, you might not want your audience to see the messy "in-between" stage. Unpublishing allows you to work privately on the new look and feel, and then relaunch with a big, dramatic reveal. This prevents confusion and makes the rebrand feel more professional and impactful.
• You Need a Content Strategy Reset. We've all been there. Your engagement is flat, your content feels stale, and you're just not getting the results you want. Instead of posting sporadically or pushing out uninspired content, unpublishing gives you the breathing room to step back. You can analyze your past performance, research your audience, and map out a completely new content calendar without the daily pressure to post.
• You're Taking a Much-Needed Break. Solopreneurs and small business owners don't always have a team to cover for them. If you’re going on a long vacation, dealing with a personal matter, or hitting a period of burnout, unpublishing is a healthier alternative to letting your page go silent. It prevents weeks of no posts, unanswered messages, and an impression of neglect.
• Your Business is Seasonal. For businesses like a pop-up Christmas shop, a summer-exclusive tour company, or a tax preparer, there's a natural off-season. Unpublishing the Page during these quiet months is perfectly logical. It keeps your online presence tidy and prevents it from looking abandoned when you're not actively marketing.
• You're Handling a Crisis. In a sensitive PR situation, you may need to control the public conversation. Unpublishing the page temporarily stops a flood of negative comments and gives your team space to formulate a response and game plan without adding more fuel to the fire.

The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Unpublish Your Facebook Page From Your Phone

Ready to get it done? The process is remarkably straightforward, but Facebook’s interface is known for changing frequently. Menus move, buttons get new names, and icons shift places. Don't worry if your screen looks slightly different, the core steps and a little tapping around in the settings will get you there. These instructions reflect the most current layout.

Step 1: Open the Facebook App and Go to Your Page

First, open the main Facebook app on your phone. Make sure you are logged into the personal profile that has admin access to the Page you want to unpublish. Tap the main menu icon (three horizontal lines, usually at the bottom or top right of the screen). From there, select your Page to switch from your personal profile view to your Page’s admin view.

Step 2: Access Your Page’s Main Menu

Once you are viewing Facebook as your Page, tap the menu icon again (three horizontal lines with your Page's profile picture). This will take you to your Page’s main menu, where you can access professional tools and settings.

Step 3: Go to Settings

In the Page menu, scroll down and find "Settings & Privacy," then tap on "Settings." This is the main hub for all the controls related to your Page.

Step 4: Navigate to Page Settings

At the very top of the Settings screen, you'll see a section titled "Page" with your Page’s name and picture next to it. Tap on "Page Settings" to open up the specific controls for this Page.

Step 5: Find Page Visibility

Now, scroll down through the list of Page Settings. You are looking for an option called "Page visibility." Tap on it. It’s typically under the "Privacy" and "Public Content" section, but it is often listed on its own as well.

Step 6: Select "Unpublish" and Save

You’ll now see two options: “Page published” (which will be currently selected) and “Page unpublished.” Tap the circle next to “Page unpublished.” A pop-up will appear explaining what will happen: your Page will be hidden from the public, but you and other admins can still see it.

After you check the "Page unpublished" option, look for a “Save” or "Save changes" type button and tap it. Facebook might ask you to re-enter your password to confirm it's really you. Once that’s done, your Page is officially unpublished!

Okay, It's Unpublished. Now What?

Your Page is now officially offline and invisible to the public. Links that used to work will now lead visitors to a "content not found" page. It will not appear in search results. You and your follower count are safe, though - they're all still there, just waiting for the day you republish.

For you as an admin, however, everything looks the same. You can access the backend of your Page, edit your "About" section, upload new photos, and even schedule a full calendar of posts for your grand re-opening. Not a single piece of your content is gone.

When you're ready to go live again, simply follow the exact same steps (1-6) and in the final step, choose “Page published” and hit Save. Your Page will instantly be back online, with all its followers and content intact.

Common Questions About Unpublishing a Facebook Page

Still have a few questions? Here are quick answers to some of the most common ones.

How long can my Page stay unpublished?

Indefinitely. There is no time limit set by Facebook. You can keep it unpublished for weeks, months, or even years, and it will be waiting for you whenever you’re ready to return.

Will I lose my followers if I unpublish my page?

Absolutely not. All your followers, page likes, and existing fans are saved. When you republish the Page, your follower count will be exactly what it was when you took it offline.

What happens to my scheduled posts?

Any posts you had scheduled to go live while the Page is unpublished will not be published. They will remain in your drafts or scheduled content section, ready to be rescheduled once you republish the page.

Is unpublishing the same on desktop?

Yes, the core concept and result are identical. The steps on a desktop computer are slightly different due to the different layout (you’ll be working through the "Meta Business Suite" more often than not), but you’ll still be looking for an option under Page Settings called "Page Visibility."

I unpublished my page and now I can't find it! What happened?

This is a common moment of panic! Don't worry. Your page is still there but is only visible to admins. Make sure you are logged into your admin Facebook profile. Go to the menu to find your list of Pages. It will be there. You cannot find it by searching for it publicly, because, well, it's unpublished for the public!

Final Thoughts

Unpublishing your Facebook Page on mobile is a simple, reversible action that gives you complete control to pause and breathe. Whether you're doing a total brand overhaul, rethinking your content strategy from scratch, or just need a real break, it's a valuable tool to have in your back pocket that protects all the hard work you've put in.

Managing social media can feel like you’re constantly trying to keep up, especially when you’re figuring out a new direction. We built Postbase because we believe your tools should make your job easier, not add to the stress. When you're ready to bring your Page back to life, our visual calendar helps you flawlessly plan your comeback campaign, and our rock-solid scheduling means your posts go live exactly when you planned - every single time. It's about giving you the clarity and peace of mind to focus on what matters: creating great content.