Facebook deletion is permanent and takes 30 days to complete
When you delete your Facebook account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from other users but still exists on Facebook's servers. After 30 days, Facebook begins removing your information from its systems. Some data tied to messages you sent to others may remain in their inboxes, and information you shared with third-party apps before deletion may stay with those apps.
Deletion is different from deactivation. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily—you can reactivate it later by logging back in. Deletion removes your account permanently after the 30-day window closes. Once the deletion is final, you cannot recover your account, your photos, your messages, or any other data.
You need to know your login password to delete your account. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to reset it first through Facebook's login page before you can proceed with deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to finalize, during which you can cancel the deletion by logging back in.
- You must enter your password to confirm deletion, so reset it first if you've forgotten it.
- After 30 days, Facebook removes your profile, photos, and messages from its systems, but messages you sent to others may remain in their inboxes.
- Data you shared with third-party apps before deletion stays with those apps and is not removed by Facebook.
- read your photos and information before deleting if you want to keep copies for yourself.
How to delete your account on a computer
Open Facebook in your web browser and log in if you're not already signed in. Click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. A menu will appear with several options.
Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, you'll see a menu. Scroll down and click Deactivation and deletion. The page will show you two options: deactivate or delete. Click the radio button next to Delete, then click Continue to account deletion.
Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm your identity. Type your password and click Continue. You'll see a confirmation screen explaining that your account will be deleted after 30 days. Click Delete account to finalize the request. Your account is now scheduled for deletion.
How to delete your account on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Deactivation and deletion and tap it.
Tap the radio button next to Delete, then tap Continue to account deletion. Enter your password when prompted and tap Continue. Review the confirmation message, then tap Delete account. Your deletion request is now active.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
For the next 30 days, your profile will not appear in search results, and other people cannot find your account or see your posts. Your name and profile picture will be removed from comments and posts you made. However, your account still exists on Facebook's servers, and you can cancel the deletion at any time by logging back in with your username and password.
If you log in during the 30-day period, your deletion request is canceled automatically, and your account returns to normal. You'll need to start the deletion process over if you decide to delete again.
Messages you sent to other people before deletion will still appear in their inboxes. Facebook does not remove messages from recipients' accounts when you delete yours. If you want to remove specific messages before deletion, you can delete them individually from your own account, but they will remain visible to the people you sent them to.
read your information before deletion
Before you delete your account, you can read a copy of your photos, videos, posts, and other information. Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Your information and permissions on the left menu, then click read your information.
Facebook will ask you to choose what information you want to read and what format you prefer. Select the date range and the types of content you want included. Click Request a read. Facebook will prepare a file and send you a link to read it, usually within a few hours or a few days depending on how much data you have.
This read is separate from the deletion process. You can read your information even if you don't plan to delete your account, and you can do it multiple times. The file will contain your posts, photos, comments, messages, and other account data in a format you can open on your computer.
What you cannot recover after deletion is final
Once the 30-day period ends and your account is permanently deleted, you cannot recover your profile, your photos, your videos, your posts, or your messages. Facebook will not restore your account even if you contact them and ask. If you think you might want your information later, read it before the deletion is final.
If you created a Facebook page for a business or organization, deleting your personal account does not delete the page. However, if you are the only admin on that page, the page will become inactive and cannot be managed. If other people are admins on the page, they can continue to manage it after your account is deleted.
Messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes. You cannot remove messages from other people's accounts. If you want to remove a message you sent to someone, you can only delete it from your own account before deletion is final.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window
If you decide you want to keep your account, straightforward log in with your username and password during the 30-day waiting period. Your account will return to normal when ready, and the deletion request will be canceled. You won't lose any of your photos, posts, or messages.
You can log in through the Facebook website or the Facebook app. Use the same email address or phone number and password you normally use. Once you're logged in, your account is active again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Facebook account if I don't remember my password?
No, you need your password to confirm deletion. Go to the Facebook login page and click Forgotten password? to reset it. You'll receive a link via email or text message. Create a new password, then return to Settings and complete the deletion process.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram or WhatsApp accounts?
No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate accounts with separate login credentials. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram or WhatsApp. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete my account?
Your active listings will be removed from Marketplace during the 30-day waiting period. If you cancel the deletion and log back in, your listings will return. After 30 days, when deletion is final, all your Marketplace history is removed.
Can Facebook restore my account after the 30 days are up?
No. Facebook does not restore accounts after the 30-day deletion period ends. The deletion is permanent and irreversible. If you want to use Facebook again after permanent deletion, you would need to create a new account from scratch.
Will my friends be notified that I'm deleting my account?
No, Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you delete your account. Your profile will straightforward disappear from their view after the 30-day period ends. If you want to tell people you're leaving, you can message them or post a message before you delete.