How to Delete Your Facebook Account: Complete Guide [2025]
Posted on April 24, 2025
Thinking about taking a break from social media or concerned about your privacy? Deleting your Facebook account might be the right move. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of permanently deleting your Facebook account across all devices, explain the differences between deactivation and deletion, and provide important tips on saving your data before saying goodbye.
Important: Deleting your Facebook account is permanent. After the deletion process is complete, you won't be able to recover your account or any of its content. Make sure to download your data before proceeding.
Table of Contents
Before You Delete: Important Steps
Before permanently deleting your Facebook account, consider taking these important preparatory steps:
Download your data
Facebook stores years of your photos, posts, messages, and other content. Make sure to download a copy of your data before deletion.
Inform your contacts
Let your friends and family know you're leaving Facebook and provide alternative ways to stay in touch.
Check connected apps and services
If you use Facebook to log in to other apps or services, set up alternative login methods before deleting your account.
Consider deactivation first
If you're unsure about permanent deletion, consider temporarily deactivating your account instead.
How to Download Your Facebook Data
Before deleting your account, it's crucial to download a copy of your Facebook information. This includes photos, posts, messages, and other content you've shared over the years.
On Desktop:
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Facebook
- Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings
- In the left menu, click Your Facebook Information
- Click Download Your Information
- Select the date range, format (HTML or JSON), and media quality
- Choose which categories of data you want to download
- Click Request a Download
- Enter your password when prompted
- Facebook will notify you when your download is ready
On Mobile (Android and iPhone):
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines)
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings
- Scroll to Your Information section
- Tap Download Your Information
- Select your preferences for date range, format, and media quality
- Choose which categories of data you want to download
- Tap Request a Download
- Enter your password when prompted
Note: Facebook may take several hours or even days to prepare your download, depending on how much data you have. You'll receive a notification when your download is ready.
How to Delete Facebook on Desktop
Follow these steps to permanently delete your Facebook account using a web browser:
- Log in to your Facebook account
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner
- Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings
- In the left menu, click Your Facebook Information
- Click Deactivation and Deletion
- Select the Permanently Delete Account option
- Click Continue to Account Deletion
- Click Delete Account, then enter your password
- Click Continue, then Delete Account to confirm
You can also access the deletion page directly by visiting:
https://www.facebook.com/help/delete_accountHow to Delete Facebook on Mobile Devices
You can delete your Facebook account directly from the mobile app on both Android and iPhone devices.
On Android:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings
- Scroll down to Account Center and tap it
- Tap Personal details
- Tap Account ownership and control
- Tap Deactivation or deletion
- Choose your Facebook account
- Select Delete account
- Tap Continue to account deletion
- Scroll down and tap Delete account
- Enter your password and tap Continue
- Tap Delete account to confirm
On iPhone:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings
- Scroll down to Account Center and tap it
- Tap Personal details
- Tap Account ownership and control
- Tap Deactivation or deletion
- Choose your Facebook account
- Select Delete account
- Tap Continue to account deletion
- Scroll down and tap Delete account
- Enter your password and tap Continue
- Tap Delete account to confirm
Tip: If you're having trouble finding these options, Facebook occasionally updates its interface. You can always use a web browser on your mobile device to navigate to facebook.com/help/delete_account instead.
Deactivation vs. Deletion: Understanding the Difference
| Feature | Deactivation | Deletion |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline visibility | Hidden | Removed |
| Search appearance | Hidden | Removed |
| Messages | Still visible to recipients | Deleted (after 30-day grace period) |
| Tagged photos | Still visible, but without your name | Tags removed, photos remain if posted by others |
| Messenger | Can still use | Unavailable |
| Login to other apps | Still works | No longer works |
| Reactivation | Can reactivate anytime | Cannot restore after 30 days |
When to Choose Deactivation:
- You want a temporary break from Facebook
- You use Facebook to log in to other services
- You want to keep using Messenger
- You're not sure about permanent deletion
When to Choose Deletion:
- You want your data completely removed from Facebook
- You have privacy concerns
- You've already set up alternative login methods for connected apps
- You're certain you won't want to return to Facebook
What Happens After You Request Deletion
After you request account deletion, here's what happens:
Immediate Effects
- You're automatically logged out of Facebook
- You can no longer access your account
- Your profile is no longer visible to others
30-Day Grace Period
- Facebook doesn't delete your account immediately
- Your account enters a 30-day "grace period"
- You can cancel the deletion during this time
- Simply log in to your account to cancel deletion
After 30 Days
- Facebook begins deleting your account data
- Some data might take up to 90 days to be completely removed
- Copies of your data may remain in backup systems for emergency recovery purposes
- Your account can no longer be recovered
Note: Some information, like messages you've sent to friends, may remain in their accounts even after your account is deleted. Additionally, Facebook may retain certain data for legal reasons.
How to Cancel Account Deletion
Changed your mind? You can cancel your account deletion request within 30 days:
- Go to facebook.com or open the Facebook app
- Log in with your email/phone and password
- Click or tap Cancel Deletion when prompted
Warning: After the 30-day grace period expires, you cannot recover your account or any of its content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting Facebook also delete my Instagram account?
No. Even though Facebook (Meta) owns Instagram, deleting your Facebook account does not automatically delete your Instagram account. You would need to delete your Instagram account separately.
What happens to Facebook Pages I manage if I delete my account?
If you're the sole admin of any Facebook Pages, those Pages will be deleted along with your account. To keep your Pages active, assign another person as an admin before deleting your account.
Can I delete Facebook but keep Messenger?
No. If you permanently delete your Facebook account, your Messenger account is also deleted. If you want to keep using Messenger, consider deactivating your Facebook account instead of deleting it.
Will people know I've deleted my account?
People won't receive a notification that you've deleted your account. Your profile, posts, and content will simply disappear from their view. Your name will be removed from tagged photos, and your messages will remain in recipients' inboxes but will show as coming from "Facebook User" instead of your name.
Can I create a new Facebook account with the same email address?
Yes. After your account is permanently deleted (after the 30-day grace period), you can create a new account using the same email address or phone number.
Final Thoughts
Deleting your Facebook account is a significant decision that permanently removes your presence from the platform. Before proceeding, make sure to download your data and consider the impact on your social connections and any services linked to your Facebook account.
If you're not completely sure about deletion, consider temporarily deactivating your account first to see how it feels to be away from the platform. This allows you to return if you change your mind while still taking a break from social media.
Whatever you decide, remember that you have control over your online presence and personal data.
This guide was last updated on April 24, 2025, to reflect the most current Facebook deletion process. Facebook may change its interface or procedures over time.