Whether you want to learn how to deactivate Facebook to take a break from digital social life or want to get rid of Facebook entirely, don't let your social media past come back to haunt you. This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to deactivate or delete Facebook. Before we begin, remember that deleting Facebook means removing your profile forever, while deactivating Facebook means pausing your account activity temporarily.Deactivating your Facebook account
How to deactivate your Facebook account from a browser
The fastest way to deactivate a Facebook page or suspend a Facebook account is by logging in to Facebook and navigating to the privacy settings for deleting or deactivating a Facebook account. Here, click the first option: Deactivate account.
You’ll be asked to re-enter your password before confirming the temporary deactivation. Once deactivation is confirmed, you can reactivate your Facebook account whenever you want. Be aware that even after you deactivate your Facebook account, your data could still be in the hands of data brokers.
Another way to deactivate your Facebook account on your computer or browser is to follow this step-by-step Facebook deactivation guide:
Sign into Facebook.
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings & privacy.
Click Settings.
Click Privacy in the left panel, then click Your Facebook information.
Scroll to the last option and click Deactivation and deletion.
Confirm your choice, then click Continue to account deactivation.
Re-enter your Facebook password and click Continue to confirm deactivation.
How to deactivate your Facebook account from the iPhone app
Deactivating your Facebook account on the iPhone app will have the same effect as deactivating on desktop or browser. If you’re looking for how to delete a Facebook account on an iPhone app, skip down to the section on deleting your Facebook account.
Follow these step-by-step instructions for deactivation.
Open the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the menu (three-lines), then tap Settings & Privacy.
Choose Settings > Access and control.
Tap Deactivation and deletion > Deactivate account. Re-enter your password to confirm deactivation.
How to deactivate your Facebook account from the Android app
To suspend your Facebook account on Android, go straight to the Facebook mobile app. It takes only a few steps to pause Facebook. Deactivating Facebook on your mobile phone could help you prevent a spoofing or social engineering scam.
Open the Facebook app on your Android phone.
Tap your profile picture, then select Settings & privacy.
Tap Settings > Access and control.
Select Deactivation and deletion > Deactivate account. Re-enter your password to confirm deactivation.
Deleting your Facebook account
The trail you leave throughout your digital day can build up and give advertisers or snoops a lot of information to work with. The capabilities of online tracking, and the risk of being caught up in a data breach, makes limiting our digital trails ever more important. Whether you want to delete your Facebook account permanently or just want to tighten up your cybersecurity, these steps will get the job done.
How to delete your Facebook account from a browser
Deleting a Facebook account on a computer is essentially the same as deactivating a Facebook account on a computer. The only difference is the final step, where you select to permanently delete your Facebook account instead of temporarily deactivating it.
Here's how to delete Facebook if you’re using a browser on a computer:
Open Facebook and log in.
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select Settings & privacy.
Select Settings > Privacy > Your Facebook information.
Click Deactivation and deletion.
Confirm by selecting Delete account.
Click Continue to account deletion and re-enter your password.
These are the steps for how to delete a Facebook account using a browser on a PC or Mac. Remember: Once you delete your Facebook account you won't be able to log in to other websites using Facebook (which may not be a bad thing).
How to delete your Facebook account from the iPhone app
To delete a Facebook account on iPhone follow these steps. The process is the same as deactivating your Facebook on an iPhone, except for the final step where you’ll select delete instead of deactivate.
Here’s how to delete your Facebook account on an iPhone:
Open the Facebook app on your iPhone.
Tap the menu (three lines), and select Settings & Privacy.
Tap Settings > Access and control.
Select Deactivation and deletion and choose Delete account. Re-enter your password to confirm.
How to delete your Facebook account from the Android app
You can delete your Facebook account directly from your mobile device in a few easy steps. But, deleting the Facebook app doesn’t delete your account. You have to delete your Facebook account, then you can delete your Facebook app.
Here’s how to delete your Facebook account using the Android app:
Open the Facebook app on Android.
Tap the menu (three lines) and select Settings & Privacy.
Tap Settings > Access and control.
Tap Deactivation and deletion, then select Delete account.
What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting a Facebook account?
Deactivating a Facebook account means removing it temporarily. Deleting a Facebook account means removing it permanently. You can temporarily deactivate Facebook and reactivate it again. If you delete Facebook, your data is wiped and cannot be restored.
Maybe you're tired of seeing fake news, annoyed with all the ad tracking, or simply want to stop oversharing on social media. Whatever the reason for putting a pause on your Facebook account, there are pros and cons to temporarily deactivating Facebook vs deleting it completely.
Pros of deactivating Facebook
You can keep Facebook Messenger.
You can reactivate your Facebook account whenever you want without losing anything.
It’s a temporary way to hide your photos, friends, and posts.
Cons of deactivating Facebook
Your personal data is not deleted.
Oculus products can’t be used unless you reactivate your account.
Once you reactivate, you’re again at risk of Facebook scams.
Pros of deleting Facebook
You never have to check your Facebook for data leaks again.
You don’t have to worry about whether Facebook listens to your private conversions.
You have more control over your personal data
All data tied to your inactive Facebook accounts is deleted too.
Cons of deleting Facebook
You can't change your mind. Rejoining means starting a completely new profile.
You may lose important photos and videos if you don’t back them up before deleting Facebook permanently.
Can you deactivate Facebook and keep Messenger?
Yes, you can deactivate Facebook and still have full access to Facebook Messenger. The trick is to not permanently delete your Facebook profile, but to select the option: Deactivate account. If you continue using Facebook Messenger, be sure you know how to change your privacy settings on Facebook, and periodically clear your Facebook cache to protect your privacy.
Can you reactivate Facebook?
Yes, after you deactivate your Facebook account, simply log back in to reactive Facebook. You can also reactivate Facebook after deactivation by using your Facebook login to access another website. Deleted accounts can be recovered too, but only for 30 days after deletion.
If you don’t reactivate your deleted Facebook account within 30 days, you’ve permanently deleted Facebook and erased all your data. And if your reason for deleting or deactivating Facebook in the first place was because of annoying ads, you can just block ads on Facebook instead.
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FAQs
How to Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account? ›
Facebook Help Center. You can request to have your Facebook account permanently deleted. You can request to have your Facebook account permanently deleted. You can deactivate your Facebook account temporarily and choose to come back whenever you want.
How do I delete and deactivate my Facebook account? ›- Log into Facebook from a computer.
- Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook.
- Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
- Click Your Facebook Information.
- Click Deactivation and Deletion.
- Choose Delete Account, then click Continue to account deletion.
Facebook Help Center. You can request to have your Facebook account permanently deleted. You can request to have your Facebook account permanently deleted. You can deactivate your Facebook account temporarily and choose to come back whenever you want.
Is deleting your account permanent when you delete your Facebook account you won t be able to retrieve the content? ›What happens if I permanently delete my Facebook account? Your profile, photos, posts, videos, and everything else you've added will be permanently deleted. You won't be able to retrieve anything you've added. You'll no longer be able to use Facebook Messenger.
Does deactivating Facebook delete anything? ›Deactivating your account does not fully delete it. When you deactivate your account, Facebook saves all of your settings, photos, and information in case you decide to reactivate your account. Your information isn't gone—it's just hidden.
How do I reach Facebook support? ›On the desktop site, look up at the top right corner of the screen. There, you'll see a downward-facing arrow — click it and select Help & support from the dropdown menu. From there, you can select Help Center, Support Inbox, Report a problem, or Check Wi-Fi connection.
How long does it take for Facebook to delete an inactive account? ›Additionally, if you do not confirm your account after registration, we may disable or delete your account after one year of inactivity.
How do I email Facebook support? ›support@fb.com – This is the most general, basic support email. You can contact this email with any issue, but you should make your message as clear and detailed as possible so they can easily figure out where you need to be directed for help.
Why does Facebook make it so hard to delete your account? ›Why is deleting your Facebook profile so hard? Facebook doesn't want you to really get rid of all your information. Because once it's gone, you're no longer one log-in away from coming back and sharing anew.
Why is my Facebook still active after I deleted it? ›Even after you delete your account, Facebook will keep it available for 30 days, hoping you will change your mind. But once the deletion takes effect, all that should remain of your account 90 days later are some activity logs that Facebook keeps for its own use. (Try logging in afterward to make sure.)
What do my friends see when I delete my Facebook account? ›
- No one else can see your profile.
- Some information, like messages you sent to friends, may still be visible.
- Your friends may still see your name in their friends list. ...
- Group admins may still be able to see your posts and comments, along with your name.
- Tap the triple bars in the lower right corner.
- Scroll down to "Settings & Privacy" and tap the downward caret.
- Select "Settings."
- Scroll down to the "Your Facebook Information" section and select "Account Ownership and Control."
- Select "Deactivation and Deletion."
Pictures you delete off facebook are no longer available, but they're still on the facebook servers. Accounts are the same: they still have all your data, it's just no longer available for the rest of facebook users. So the short answer: Your account being permanently deleted is irrelevant.
Can a fake Facebook account be traced? ›Finding out the identity of who created a Facebook profile is, according to most websites and forums, impossible and, using just the tools made available via Facebook, this would be the case.
What is the downside to deactivating Facebook? ›You won't be able to see your relatives, friends, work colleagues and acquaintances on the platform anymore. You won't be able to keep in touch on the social media platform and won't be able to see their posts or get their notifications. You lose touch with your online social circle until you reactivate your account.
Is it healthy to deactivate Facebook? ›Is it good to delete social media? In essence, there are actually a lot of reasons why removing social media could be quite beneficial for your life. You can be more productive, have better mental health, be more focused, be more creative, and even save money by deactivating or deleting your social media accounts.
How long can you deactivate Facebook? ›How Long Can You Deactivate Facebook? There is no limit on how long you can deactivate Facebook. If you want to quit Facebook permanently, you can choose to delete Facebook account.
How do I delete or deactivate Facebook on my iPhone? ›Open the Facebook app on your iPhone and log in to your account. On the Home page, tap the three-lined menu button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Go to Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Account ownership and control > Deactivation and deletion.
How do I chat with Facebook support team? ›Click “Help & Support.” Clicking “Help Center” will take you to Facebook's Help Center page. You can search for self-help articles there. Your Support Inbox is the “place to get updates about things that you've reported, check and reply to messages from the Help Team, and see important messages about your account.”
How long does it take for Facebook to verify ID? ›Once Facebook receives your application, they will review your request and either confirm or deny it. This process can take anywhere from 48 hours to 45 days.
What is the number of Facebook? ›
Facebook Customer Service Phone Number (650) 308-7300, Email, Help Center.
How do you know if your FB account is deleted? ›Log in to the email account you used as your Facebook sign on name. You should see an account deletion confirmation email from Facebook.
How to delete fb account permanently without waiting 30 days? ›- Click on the triangle dropdown icon at the top right corner of your Facebook page.
- Go to “Settings & privacy” > “Settings”.
- Click on “Your Facebook Information”.
- Choose “Deactivation and deletion”.
- Select “Permanently delete account” and “Continue to account deletion”.
#5 Use direct email addresses
Additionally, there are a few email addresses you can use to contact Facebook support. The majority of the time, you'll receive an immediate reply from an autoresponder, but you may also receive a real response from a Facebook consultant as a follow up.
- From a computer, go to the profile of the account you'd like to recover.
- Click below the cover photo.
- Select Find support or report profile.
- Choose Something Else, then click Next.
- Click Recover this account and follow the steps.
Start a live-support chat from Business Suite
Once you are in the Business Suite, click on Help at the bottom left and then on Help again in the submenu. A new menu will open on the right that allows you to select topics or provide information and start a chat, similar to the Help Center.
A person does not receive any type of notification if you unfriend them on Facebook; you will just be removed from that person's friend list. If that person looks at their list of friends, they may notice that you are not in it anymore.
What happens to messages when you permanently delete Facebook? ›Some information, like messages you sent to friends, may still be visible to them after you delete your account. Copies of messages you have sent are stored in your friends' inboxes. If you use your Facebook account to log into Meta Quest, deleting your Facebook account will also delete your Meta Quest information.
How many blocks are needed to delete a Facebook account? ›There is no fixed number mentioned officially.
Can police track Facebook accounts? ›Even if Facebook declines law enforcement's request for information, police can still access online data through other means. For example, every time someone posts information publicly, either on their personal page or in public groups, that information can legally be used in criminal investigations.
Can a Facebook user see who looks at their profile? ›
Facebook doesn't let people track who views their profile.
How do I find out who owns a Facebook account? ›- Sign into your personal account. Your homepage appears.
- Type the Facebook group in the Search text box in the blue header.
- Press "Enter." The group's homepage appears.
- View the Admins section in the left pane, under the Information section.
Your profile, photos, videos and everything else you've added will be permanently deleted. You'll no longer be able to use Facebook Messenger. You won't be able to use your Facebook login for other apps you may have signed up for with your Facebook account, like Spotify or Instagram.
How do you delete an account? ›- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Passwords & accounts. ...
- Under "Accounts for," tap the account you want to remove. ...
- To confirm, tap Remove account. ...
- If this is the only Google Account on the phone, you'll need to enter your phone's pattern, PIN, or password for security.
After 30 days, your account and all your information will be permanently deleted, and you won't be able to retrieve your information. It may take up to 90 days from the beginning of the deletion process to delete all the things you've posted.
Is it easy to deactivate Facebook? ›Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings. Click Privacy, then click Your Facebook Information. Click Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Deactivate Account, then click Continue to Account Deactivation and follow the instructions to confirm.
What do friends see when I delete my Facebook account? ›They will notice that your account is deactivated because your posts and replies will be invisible, even those you sent to them, and your picture will be grayed out. Messenger will still be active by the way.
Can you delete a Facebook page and get it back? ›If you deleted your Facebook account, you can cancel your account deletion within 30 days of initiating the deletion and reactivate your Pages. Log into your Facebook account within 30 days of deleting your account. Tap Cancel Deletion. Log into Facebook from a computer to reactivate your account.
Does deleting your account delete everything? ›Step 1: Learn what deleting your account means
You'll lose all the data and content in that account, like emails, files, calendars, and photos. You won't be able to use Google services where you sign in with that account, like Gmail, Drive, Calendar, or Play.
For starters, removing an account is not the same as deleting it. Removing a Google account from an Android or iPhone device simply removes access from that particular device, and it can be restored later on. However, any information stored through the account on that device will be lost.
Does deleting a user account delete everything? ›
All of a user's data is deleted, unless you transfer it to another user. You might need to transfer some data, such as Gmail data or Drive files, before you delete the user. Some data isn't deleted, such as any groups the user created.