How to Delete Your Facebook Account: A Complete Guide

Facebook has been one of the most popular social networks for nearly two decades. But in 2025, more people than ever are choosing to step away from the platform. Whether it’s for privacy reasons, mental health, or simply wanting to take a break from social media, knowing how to delete your Facebook account is an important step.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to permanently delete your Facebook account through Accounts Center—the only official method that works in 2025. We’ll walk you through the process on both a computer and a phone (iPhone or Android), explain what happens to your personal data, and answer the most common questions about account deletion.

Delete vs. Deactivate: What’s the Difference?

Before you decide, it’s important to understand what it means to deactivate versus permanently delete your Facebook account:

• Deactivation (temporary):

  • Your Facebook profile becomes invisible. Friends can’t search for you or see your posts.

  • You can still use Facebook Messenger to chat.

  • You can reactivate your Facebook account whenever you want simply by logging back in.

  • A good option if you just want a break from Facebook.

• Deletion (permanent):

  • Your account, posts, photos, videos, and everything else are permanently erased.

  • You have a 30-day window to change your mind and reactivate your account. After that, the deletion is final.

  • It may take up to 90 days for Meta to complete the account data deletion process.

  • You lose access to Facebook Messenger and any apps that rely on Facebook login.

If you’re unsure, you may want to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account instead of deleting. But if your goal is to completely remove your presence, deletion is the way forward.

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account on a Computer

o permanently delete your account from a desktop browser, follow these steps:

Option 1: Delete Your Facebook Account via Accounts Center

1. Log in to Facebook and click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
3. In the left panel, choose Accounts Center.
4. Under Account Settings, click Personal Details.
5. Select Account Ownership and Control.
6. Click Deactivation or Deletion.
7. Choose the account or profile you want to delete.
8. Select Delete Account, then click Continue.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account on a Phone (iPhone or Android)

The process on mobile devices is very similar. Here’s how to do it in the Facebook app:

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.

2. Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

3. Tap Accounts Center.

4. Under Account Settings, choose Personal Details.

5. Tap Account Ownership and Control.

6. Select Deactivation or Deletion.

7. Pick the account or profile you want to delete.

8. Tap Delete Account, then press Continue.

9. Complete the final confirmation steps to finish the process.

What Happens After You Delete Your Facebook Account

Here’s what you need to know once you hit Delete Account:

1. 30-Day Grace Period

   • You have up to 30 days to cancel deletion. Simply log back in to reactivate your Facebook account.

   • After this period, deletion is irreversible.

2. 90-Day Data Removal Timeline

   • While your profile becomes invisible after 30 days, it may take up to 90 days for your account data to be fully deleted from Meta’s servers.

3. Messages You Sent

   • Messages you sent to friends remain visible in their inbox, even after your profile is gone.

4. Messenger Access Ends

   • Once your account is deleted, you lose access to Facebook Messenger. Unlike deactivation, you can’t keep using it.

5. Apps Linked to Facebook Login

   • If you used Facebook login for other apps, deleting your account may block access. You may need to contact the apps and websites to set up new logins.

Download Your Facebook Data Before Deleting

Since deleting your Facebook account means losing your personal data, it’s smart to make a backup first.

1. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
3. In the left panel, choose Accounts Center.
4. Then select Your information and permissions.
5. Click Export your information.
6. Select Create export.
7. Choose the profile you would like to export your information from.
8. Then select Export to device or Export to external device.
9. Here, you can pick which information you’d like to download, set a date range, choose the file format, add a notification email, and decide on the quality of your media.
   After adjusting your preferences, simply click Start Export to begin the process.

You’ll get a notification when your Facebook data is ready for download.

Why People Delete Facebook Accounts

There are many different motivations behind leaving Facebook, and for most people, it’s rarely just one reason. Privacy is often at the top of the list, since Facebook and Meta are known for extensive data collection and tracking. Others step away because of the impact on their mental health, finding that less screen time and fewer notifications help reduce stress.

Some people simply want a digital reset. They’re tired of juggling multiple profiles and prefer to simplify their online lives. Others feel like they’ve outgrown the platform and spend more time on newer networks such as TikTok or Discord. Whatever the case may be, deleting your Facebook account can feel like regaining control of your personal data and online presence.

Can You Reactivate After Deletion?

Whether you can get your account back depends on whether you deactivated it or permanently deleted it. If you chose deactivation, the process is fully reversible—you can log back in at any time and your profile will be restored just as you left it.

If you went through with deletion, you have a 30-day grace period. During that time, logging in will cancel the deletion request and reactivate your account. Once the 30 days are over, however, the deletion is permanent. At that point, your account and data are gone for good and cannot be restored.

FAQ: Deleting Your Facebook Account

If you’re still unsure about what deleting your Facebook account means in practice, here are some of the most common questions people ask before making the decision:

1. Can I keep Messenger if I delete Facebook?
No. Deleting your Facebook account also deletes your access to Facebook Messenger.

2. What if I used Facebook login for other apps?
You’ll need to contact the apps and websites to switch login details.

3. How long does Facebook keep my data?
It may take up to 90 days for all of your account data to be erased, though your profile becomes invisible after 30 days.

4. Can I delete my account through the app?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, you can delete your account through Accounts Center or Facebook settings.

5. Will deleting Facebook also delete Instagram?
No. Instagram is separate. Deleting your Facebook account won’t affect it, even if both are managed through Meta’s Accounts Center.

6. What happens to my messages?
Messages you sent to friends remain visible in their inbox.

7. Can I delete all linked profiles?
Yes. In Accounts Center, you can choose to delete or deactivate all profiles under your account.

Wrapping Up

Deciding to delete your Facebook account is a personal choice. Whether your motivation is privacy, mental health, or simply moving on, knowing how to complete the account deletion process ensures you don’t lose what matters.

If you’re unsure, you can always deactivate your Facebook account temporarily and come back whenever you want. But if you’re certain, follow the steps above—on computer or phone—download your data, and confirm your account deletion.

After 30 days, your Facebook profile will be permanently removed, and within 90 days, your data will be gone from Meta’s systems.