How To Delete A Facebook Account?

While Facebook boasts billions of users and is considered one of the world’s most popular social media networks, many choose to leave the platform due to concerns about privacy, time management, or changes in platform policies (especially removing third-party fact-checking systems). However, it is important to note that there is a lot of difference between deleting and deactivating your Facebook account. Deactivating your Facebook will freeze your account temporarily but doesn’t prevent FB from tracking your online activity. So, deleting your account is the only way to stay away from Facebook. If you’ve decided to permanently delete your Facebook account, this guide will explain the step-by-step deletion process.

Let’s get into its details…

What Happens When You Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account?

Before deleting your Facebook account permanently, you should know what will happen to your account after deletion. Always remember that deleting your Facebook account is irreversible.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Account and Data Loss: You won’t be able to reactivate your account or access any of your data, including photos, posts, videos, and other content. This information is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
• Facebook Messenger: Currently, deleting your Facebook account will also delete your Messenger account. You will no longer be able to use the Messenger app or website. If your FB account is deactivated but you still have Messenger, then you can still chat with friends on Messenger. It’s important to note that Facebook/Meta’s policies are subject to change, so it’s always best to consult their FB official help documentation for the most up-to-date information.
• Other Third-Party Apps: If you used your Facebook account to log in to other apps or websites (like Spotify or Pinterest), you’ll need to contact those services directly to regain access to your accounts.
• Messages: While your profile and posts will be deleted, messages you’ve sent to friends might still be visible to them in their inboxes. Facebook doesn’t delete individual messages from the recipient’s side.
• Meta Quest: If you used your Facebook account to log in to Meta Quest, your Meta Quest information will also be deleted. This includes app purchases and achievements. However, you should retain any existing store credits.

Can We Take A Break Without Deleting Facebook?

Yes, you can take a break from Facebook by simply deactivating your account temporarily. In this case, people won’t be able to see or go to your FB profile, use other apps done with FB login, use Facebook Messenger (to chat with friends), and you won’t be able to use your Facebook account to access Meta Quest products. However, you can come back to use your Facebook account at any time you want.

For more detailed information, check out our article – How To Temporarily Deactivate Facebook Account?

How To Permanently Delete Facebook Account

If you have already prepared to delete your Facebook account without keeping it on hold, then here is the detailed procedure that will help you to delete the account permanently…

Using Smartphone:

• Open the Facebook app on your smartphone.
• Tap on the menu option (at the bottom right corner – for iPhones) or (three vertical lines (☰) at the top right corner – for Android phones).

• Scroll down to tap “Settings and Privacy” and then tap “Settings”.

• Select “Accounts Center” and then tap on “Personal Details”.

• Choose “Account Ownership and Control” under Personal details and tap “Deactivation or Deletion”.
• Select the account/profile you want to delete and tap “Delete account” (deleting your account is permanent).

• Tap on the “Continue” option and Facebook asks you the reasons why you want to delete or deactivate the account.
• Select the proper reason for deleting your account and tap on the “Continue”

• Also, you can continue without selecting the reason.
• Before deleting the account, FB shows a few options before deleting the account, such as downloading the FB information, saving your posts, deactivating instead, or transferring a copy of your information.
• Select the option as per your requirement and finally select “Continue.”

• For security reasons, FB asks you to enter your password to continue this deletion procedure.
• Tap on “Continue” and then “Delete Account” to confirm permanent account deletion.

• That’s it! Your account deletion process will be initiated and deleted permanently after 30 days.

Using Computer:

• Login to your Facebook using your credentials.
• Click your ‘Profile picture (accounts)’ in the top right corner of the page.
• Select ‘Settings and Privacy’ and then click on ‘Settings’.

• Now click ‘Meta Accounts Centre’ in the top left corner of the screen.

• Click ‘Personal Details’ under ‘Account Settings’ and then select ‘Account Ownership and Control’.

• Select ‘Deactivation or deletion’ (to temporarily deactivate or permanently delete your account).
• Click on the FB account you want to delete or deactivate.
• Select ‘Delete Account’ and then click on ‘Continue’.

• Before you delete the FB account, you might have to select the reason to help with common issues. You may also continue without selecting a reason.
• Also, Facebook (FB) suggests you back up your post (or) deactivate your account instead of deleting (or) download the information (or) transfer a copy of your information. Choose the option as per your requirement.
• Click on ‘Continue’ and FB asks you to enter your password for security reasons to proceed further.
• Select ‘Delete Account’ to confirm permanent account deletion.
• Viola! Your account deletion process has been initiated and deleted permanently.

Does Facebook Delete Accounts Instantly? Can I Cancel The Deletion?

No, Facebook doesn’t delete accounts instantly (right away with a single click).  You have 30 days after initiating deletion to reactivate your account and cancel the permanent deletion process.  After 30 days, the deletion begins and you can no longer retrieve your data. While the profile data will no longer be visible to anyone after initiating the deletion process, the complete deletion process can take up to 90 days.  This includes things you’ve posted.

Key Points To Consider Before Deletion

• 30-day Grace Period: You can cancel deletion within 30 days. Just log back into your Facebook account with your registered email or phone number with the correct password.
• 90-Day Full Deletion: The entire deletion process, including backups, can take up to 90 days. While your profile is quickly hidden, the full removal of your data from Facebook’s systems takes longer.
• No Retrieval After 30 Days: Once the 30-day window closes, your data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
• Backups: Facebook retains backups for disaster recovery for 90 days. This is standard practice for data protection to recover in the event of a disaster, software error, or any data loss.

How To Cancel The Account Deletion

If you have changed your mind and want to continue using your Facebook account, then here is a process to be followed. Remember that this action should be done within 30 days of deleting your account.

• In case your account is still recoverable, you have to follow the on-screen instructions to reactivate it.
• First, log into your Facebook account with the correct login credentials on your smartphone.
• A popup appears to confirm your identity (Is this you?) and press the “Confirm” to continue logging in.
• Then Facebook shows that your account is scheduled for deletion on a particular date and asks you whether you want to continue using Facebook.
• Tap on “Yes, Continue to Facebook”, and you will be successfully logged in to your Facebook account.
• Then your Facebook account will be reactivated and you can start using the account normally.

On Laptop

• If you want to recover the deleted FB account on your computer, then simply log in with your credentials – > Select Cancel Deletion. Then your account will be reactivated and you can continue using it.
• Even after 30 days, there is a small chance of recovering your permanently deleted Facebook account – simply, open a web browser and type facebook.com/support -> on Help center -> click on the Account settings -> scroll down to select No in Was this Helpful section -> then a tab opens – What went wrong? -> Select Others -> Write down about your issue of recovering your FB account after it was deleted permanently. Finally, click on the Submit, and within the next 48 hours, you will receive a response from the Facebook team about your account recovery.

Note – The number of days that you can cancel an account deletion varies by region.

FAQs:

Conclusion

Taking control of your online presence is important for managing your data and social media experience. We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to delete your Facebook account. If you decide to proceed, remember the 30-day window for changing your mind. For further assistance, you can consult Facebook’s Help Center. If you have any questions, leave a comment below, and we will respond promptly.