Deleting your Facebook account removes your profile, photos, posts and messages permanently. This guide walks through the steps, the waiting period, and what happens to your data.
Deletion versus deactivation
Facebook offers two very different options. Deactivating hides your profile temporarily, your friends can no longer see it, but Facebook keeps all your data, and you can reactivate at any time simply by logging back in. Deleting is permanent: after the process completes, your profile, photos, posts, videos and messages are removed and cannot be recovered. If you are not sure which one you want, our deactivation guide explains the reversible option in detail.
Before you delete your account
Once deletion is complete, there is no way to get your account back, so it is worth taking a few minutes to prepare first.
- Download your information. In Settings, go to “Your Facebook Information” and choose “Download Your Information” to save a copy of your photos, posts and messages before they are gone.
- Check connected apps. If you use “Log in with Facebook” for other apps or websites, deleting your account will disconnect those logins, so update them with another method first.
- Tell close contacts. If people usually reach you through Facebook Messenger, let them know how to contact you another way.
How to permanently delete your Facebook account
- Log in to Facebook on a desktop browser or the mobile app.
- Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
- Select “Accounts Center”, then “Personal details”.
- Tap “Account ownership and control”, then “Deactivation or deletion”.
- Choose your Facebook account, select “Delete account”, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and may show a short survey asking why you are leaving.
The 30-day grace period
After you confirm deletion, Facebook does not erase your data immediately. Instead, your account enters a grace period of up to 30 days, during which logging back in cancels the deletion and restores your account. If you do not log in during that window, Facebook proceeds with permanent deletion, which can take up to 90 days to fully complete across all of Facebook’s systems, including backups.
What happens to your messages and photos in other people’s accounts
Messages you sent to other people remain visible in their conversation threads, since deleting your account only removes your side of the copy where possible. Similarly, photos you were tagged in that were uploaded by someone else are not deleted, only your tag is removed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover my Facebook account after deletion is complete?
No. Once the 30-day grace period ends and deletion proceeds, your account and data cannot be recovered. If you log back in during the grace period, deletion is cancelled automatically.
Does deleting Facebook also delete Instagram or Messenger?
No, deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete a separate Instagram account. Messenger may still work with a phone number if it was set up independently, but check your specific setup in the Accounts Center.
How long does deletion actually take?
The grace period is up to 30 days, and full removal from Facebook’s systems, including backups, can take up to 90 days after that.