If we talk about the most popular social media platform all over the world for a decade, then Facebook is the only platform. Many people in this world create new accounts, but on the other hand many people deactivate and delete their accounts.
In your time of scrolling, a stage will come when you come to know that you have to focus on many other things and you make a decision to delete or deactivate your account. It can also be a privacy reason, or sometimes you are getting sick after watching videos with larger content platforms.
Deleting or deactivating Facebook is a free straightforward decision, sometimes you need a break from social media or you cut out through the social media world. In this post we will guide you step by step on How to delete a Facebook account.
Why Delete Your Facebook Account?
Before deleting your account, consider why you want to take this step:
- Privacy Concerns: Instagram collects your personal data and also it shows the videos or reels and also posts you liked, which means Instagram does not keep your likes private. Due to many other reasons, people feel unsafe and because of privacy concerns they delete or deactivate their accounts.
- Social media detox: Many instagram users think that Instagram is a burden to them and they are wasting their time in watchin cringe or scrolling reels. This is one of the main reasons that people want a break from their social media world.
- Too Many Distractions: Social media is a totally addictive thing for everyone. Excessive use of Instagram can cause distractions from your real life and you can lose your real life inspiration. So, many users deactivate their accounts to take a break or permanently delete their account.
- Multiple Accounts: Handling multiple accounts is also a tricky thing. Many people have a private account and then a public account just to keep an eye on every aspect. Many users have more than four to five accounts for different purposes, which make them uncomfortable after a while. So having multiple accounts is also a main reason to delete or deactivate your account.
Deactivating vs. Deleting a Facebook Account
There are two options for removing your Facebook presence:
- Deactivating Your Account (Temporary Option)
- Your profile is hidden, but your data remains stored.
- You can reactivate it at any time by logging in.
- Your messages and comments may still be visible to others.
- Deleting Your Account (Permanent Option)
- Your data, posts, and profile are permanently erased.
- You cannot recover the account once deleted.
- Facebook allows a 30-day grace period to cancel the deletion.
How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account
Follow these steps to delete your Facebook account permanently:
Step 1: Log into Facebook
- Open Facebook.com on a web browser.
- Enter your username and password to log in.
Step 2: Access the Account Deletion Page
- Click on your profile picture (top right corner).
- Select “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings”.
- Click on “Your Facebook Information” in the left menu.
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Click “Permanently Delete Account” and then “Continue to Account Deletion”.
Direct Link to Facebook Deletion Page:
Facebook Account Deletion Page
Step 3: Download Your Data (Optional but Recommended)
Before deleting your account, you may want to download a copy of your data, including photos, videos, messages, and posts:
- Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information.
- Click “Download Your Information”.
- Choose the data you want to save and click “Create File”.
- Facebook will email you a link to download your archive.
Step 4: Confirm Account Deletion
- Click “Delete Account”.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Click “Continue” and confirm the deletion.
You will have a 30 days period from Facebook to reconsider the plan of deletion of your account. If you log in within this time, the deletion request will be canceled.
How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account (Temporary Option)
If you’re not ready for permanent deletion, deactivation might be a better choice. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Facebook Settings
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings”.
- Click “Your Facebook Information” from the left menu.
Step 2: Deactivate Your Account
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and click “Continue to Account Deactivation”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your password when prompted.
Your profile will be hidden, but you can reactivate it anytime by logging in.
What Happens When You Delete Your Facebook Account?
✔ Your Profile will be Removed – Your name, photos, and posts will disappear from your Facebook account.
✔ Your Messenger Account will be Deleted – You will lose access to Facebook Messenger.
✔ Third-Party Apps May Be Affected – If you use Facebook to log into apps (e.g., Spotify, Instagram), you may need to reset your login credentials.
✔ Messages to Friends Remain – Messages sent to others will still be visible in their inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Recover My Facebook Account After Deletion?
Yes, you have 30 days to cancel the deletion by logging in. After 30 days, your account and data will be deleted permanently.
2. What Happens to Facebook Pages I Manage?
If you are the single admin of a Facebook Page, it will be deleted. To keep a Page active, transfer ownership to another admin before deleting your account.
3. Can I Delete My Facebook Account from the Mobile App?
Yes, you can delete your Facebook account from the mobile app, just simply go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion and follow the steps.
4. Will My Facebook Messages Disappear?
Your sent messages will remain in recipients’ inboxes even after you delete your account.
5. How Long Does It Take for Facebook to Delete My Account?
Facebook provides a 30-day grace period. After 30 days, it may take up to 90 days to erase all backups and data from Facebook’s servers.