How To Delete or Deactivate Facebook Account – 2025

Are you ready to say goodbye to Facebook for good reasons? Whether it’s for privacy concerns, a digital detox, or just moving on to greener social media pastures, deleting your Facebook account is a straightforward process—once you know where to look.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step to permanently delete your account, share some key things to consider before you hit that delete button, and even offer an alternative if you’re not 100% ready to cut ties. Let’s dive in!

Why Delete Your Facebook Account?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about why you might want to delete your account. Maybe you’re tired of endless notifications, worried about data privacy after yet another scandal, or just done scrolling through ads and distant acquaintances’ vacation pics.

Whatever your reason, deleting your account wipes your profile, posts, photos, and most of your digital footprint from the platform. But heads up—it’s permanent after a 30-day grace period, so let’s make sure you’re prepared.

Things to Know Before You Delete

Facebook doesn’t make it too hard to delete your account, but there are a few quirks you should understand:

30-Day Grace Period: Once you start the deletion process, you have 30 days to change your mind. Log back in during this window, and you can cancel it. After 30 days? It’s gone for good.

Full Data Removal: Even after deletion, it can take up to 90 days for all your data (like backups) to be erased from Facebook’s servers.

Messenger Goes Too: Deleting your account also kills your Facebook Messenger access.

Third-Party Logins: If you use Facebook to log into apps like Spotify or games, you’ll need to update those logins first.

No Going Back: Unlike deactivation, deletion is final—no reactivating later.

Pro tip: Want to keep your memories? Download your Facebook data (photos, posts, etc.) before you delete. I’ll explain how to do that at the end!

How to Delete Your Facebook Account: Step-by-Step

Facebook’s interface can vary slightly depending on whether you’re on a computer or mobile app, so I’ve broken this down into two sections. Pick the one that fits your device.

Option 1: Deleting Facebook on a Computer (Web Browser)

Log In : Head to Facebook.com and sign into your account. Make sure it’s the right one if you manage multiple profiles!

Go to Settings : Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen. From the dropdown, select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.

 

Find the Deletion Option : Here’s where it gets a little tricky—Facebook’s layout changes occasionally. Look at the left sidebar:

 

If “Accounts Center” is at the top: Click it, then go to Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation or Deletion.

 

If “Accounts Center” is at the bottom: Scroll down the left column to Your Facebook Information, then click Deactivation and Deletion.

Choose Deletion : Select Delete Account (not “Deactivate”—that’s temporary). Click Continue to Account Deletion.

 

Confirm Your Choice : Facebook might try to tempt you to stay with deactivation instead. Ignore that, enter your password, and click Delete Account. Done!

Option 2: Deleting Facebook on the Mobile App (iPhone or Android)

Open the App : Launch the Facebook app on your phone and log in.

Access the Menu : Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon):

On Android, it’s in the top-right corner.

On iPhone, it’s in the bottom-right corner.

Navigate to Settings : Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.

 

Locate Deletion Options : Scroll to Accounts Center (it’s usually near the top or bottom):

 

Tap Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation or Deletion.

 

Select your Facebook account from the list (if you have multiple).

Delete Your Account : Tap Delete Account, then Continue. Enter your password, hit Delete Account, and you’re set!

What Happens After You Delete?

Once you click that final button, here’s the timeline:

Instantly: Your profile disappears from public view. Friends can’t tag you or find you.

30 Days: You’ve got a month to log back in and cancel the deletion if you get cold feet.

90 Days: Facebook finishes scrubbing your data from its servers (though some things, like messages you sent to others, might stick around in their inboxes).

Alternative: Deactivate Instead of Delete

Not ready for a permanent goodbye? Deactivation is like a social media vacation—your profile vanishes, but you can come back anytime. You’ll find this option in the same menu as deletion (just pick Deactivate Account instead). It’s perfect if you want a break without losing everything.

Bonus: How to Download Your Facebook Data First
Want to save your photos, posts, or messages before you delete? Here’s how:

Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information.

Choose what data you want (e.g., photos, posts), pick a date range, and select a format (HTML or JSON).

Click Create File. Facebook will email you a link when it’s ready to download.

Final Thoughts

Deleting your Facebook account can feel liberating, but it’s a big step. Double-check you’ve saved anything you care about and updated any linked logins. Once you’re ready, follow the steps above, and you’ll be free from the blue app in no time. Have questions or run into trouble? Drop a comment below—I’m here to help!

FAQ

What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting my Facebook account?

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily, and you can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Deletion permanently removes your account and data after a 30-day grace period, with no option to recover it.

How long do I have to cancel my account deletion?

You have 30 days after starting the deletion process to log back in and cancel it. After that, your account is gone forever.

Will my friends still see my messages after I delete my account?

Yes, messages you sent will remain in their inboxes, but your name might appear as “Facebook User” instead of your profile.

Does deleting my Facebook account also delete Messenger?

Yes, deleting your account disables Facebook Messenger too. You’ll lose access to all chats tied to that account.

Can I download my data before deleting?

Absolutely! Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information to save photos, posts, and more before you delete.

What happens if I log in during the 30-day grace period?

Logging in during the 30 days will pause or cancel the deletion process. You’ll need to restart it if you still want to delete.

How long does it take for all my data to be removed from Facebook?

While your account vanishes after 30 days, it can take up to 90 days for all backups and data to be fully erased from Facebook’s servers.

Will deleting my account affect apps I log into with Facebook?

Yes, if you use Facebook to log into apps (e.g., Spotify or games), you’ll need to set up new login credentials for those services first.

Can I delete my account if I’ve forgotten my password?

You’ll need to reset your password first. Go to the login page, click Forgot Password?, and follow the steps to regain access before deleting.

Why does Facebook keep some data after deletion?

Facebook retains certain info (like logs of your activity) for legal or operational reasons, but it’s anonymized and not tied to your profile after deletion.