Facebook gives you two separate paths: deactivate (temporary, reversible) or delete (permanent after 30 days)
When you delete your Facebook account, the company keeps your data for 30 days while the deletion processes. During that month, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in—after 30 days, the account and nearly all associated information are gone for good. Deactivation is different: your profile hides immediately, but Facebook stores everything and you can reactivate anytime by logging in again.
Most people choose deletion when they want a clean break. Choose deactivation if you might return, want to keep your account name reserved, or need time to download your photos and messages first.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to complete, and you can undo it by logging in during that window—after 30 days, the account is permanent gone.
- Deactivation hides your profile immediately but keeps all your data; you can reactivate anytime by logging back in.
- Before deletion, download your photos, videos, and messages through Facebook's download tool if you want to keep copies.
- Some data tied to your account—like messages you sent to others—may remain on their accounts even after you delete yours.
- If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites, those connections will break when your account is deleted.
How to delete your account through Facebook's settings
Go to Settings and Privacy, then select Settings. On the left menu, scroll down and tap Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account, then Continue. Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password for security. Select Delete Account again to confirm.
After you confirm, your profile disappears from Facebook within minutes, but the 30-day deletion window begins. During those 30 days, if you log back in with your password, the deletion cancels and your account returns to normal. After day 30, Facebook permanently removes the account and you cannot recover it.
What happens to your data during and after deletion
For the first 30 days, Facebook stores your account data on backup servers while the deletion processes. You cannot see your profile or access your account, but the information still exists internally. After 30 days, Facebook deletes most of it from their active systems.
Some data does not disappear: messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes, photos you posted in other people's albums remain there, and comments you made on public pages may stay visible. If you were tagged in photos by others, those tags and photos stay on their accounts. Content you shared with specific people (like a private message) is removed from Facebook's servers, but the recipient still has their copy.
Facebook also keeps anonymized data—patterns of behavior, aggregated statistics—that cannot be traced back to you personally. This data helps them improve their systems but does not identify you.
Download your information before deletion
If you want to keep copies of your photos, videos, posts, or messages, download them before you delete. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Select Your Information and Connections, then Download Your Information. Choose the date range and data types you want (photos, videos, posts, messages, etc.), then select Request a Download.
Facebook creates a file of your data, usually within a few hours. You receive a notification when it is ready, and you can download it as a compressed folder to your computer. This file contains everything you selected and is yours to keep. You can do this download even after you have started the deletion process—you have the full 30 days to grab it.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not sure about permanent deletion, deactivate instead. Your profile, photos, and posts hide from Facebook immediately. Friends cannot find you, and your name does not appear on their friend lists. However, Facebook keeps all your data intact.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break but might return, or if you use Facebook to log into other apps and want to keep that option open. You can reactivate by logging in anytime—your profile and all your content come back exactly as it was. There is no time limit on deactivation; you can stay deactivated for months or years and still reactivate.
What breaks when you delete: third-party apps and logins
If you use your Facebook account to log into other apps, websites, or services (Spotify, Instagram, dating apps, games), those connections break when your account is deleted. You will no longer be able to use Facebook as a login method for those services. Some apps may delete your account there too if Facebook was your only login method; others will simply disconnect the link and require you to create a new password.
Before you delete, check which apps and websites are connected to your Facebook account. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Select Apps and Websites, then review the list. You can disconnect individual apps before deletion if you want to keep using them. If you delete your account without disconnecting first, you may lose access to those services unless you can recover them with an email address or phone number.
How to reactivate if you change your mind during the 30 days
If you delete your account but change your mind within 30 days, log back in with your email address and password. Facebook will recognize the deletion is in progress and ask if you want to cancel it. Select yes, and your account returns to active status immediately. Your profile, friends list, messages, photos, and all settings come back exactly as they were.
This works only during the 30-day window. After 30 days have passed, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Facebook does not restore deleted accounts after the deadline, even if you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Facebook restore my account after the 30 days are up?
No. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and Facebook does not restore accounts. If you think you might want to return, deactivate instead—deactivation has no time limit and you can reactivate anytime.
Will deleting my Facebook account also delete my Instagram?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts. Deleting your Facebook account does not affect Instagram unless you created your Instagram account using Facebook login. If you did, you will lose that login method but your Instagram account itself remains active.
What happens to my Facebook Marketplace listings when I delete?
Your listings disappear from Marketplace immediately when you delete your account. Buyers cannot contact you about active listings. If you have pending sales or messages, resolve them before you delete.
Can I delete just my data without deleting my account?
Not completely. You can download your data and then deactivate to hide your profile, but deletion is the only way to remove your account from Facebook's systems. Deactivation keeps everything stored; deletion removes most of it after 30 days.
Do I need to delete my account to stop seeing ads?
No. You can adjust your ad preferences in Settings without deleting. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Select Ads, then Ad Preferences to control what data Facebook uses to target ads to you. Deactivation also stops ads from showing on your profile.