How to delete your Facebook account for good

Facebook has been a staple for many people for nearly — checks notes — two decades at this point. But there are several reasons why you might finally be considering deleting your account. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, want to reduce time spent on social media, or simply no longer find Facebook useful, deleting your account is a huge step toward a digital detox — one that comes with both benefits and consequences.

Before you go through with it, let’s go over what deleting Facebook means and how to do it on different devices.

What happens when you delete your Facebook?

When you delete your Facebook account, it’s permanent. Most of your data — including your profile, photos, posts, and videos — will be permanently removed without the possibility of recovery. Some residual information, like messages sent to friends, will remain visible in their inboxes. You’ll also lose access to any apps or services you logged into using your Facebook account, such as Spotify or Pinterest, so you need to reset your login credentials with the various platforms to continue using them.

Understood? Great. Now, here’s how to delete your Facebook for good.

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How to delete Facebook

You can delete Facebook from a computer or a phone. Both are easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.

Deleting Facebook on a computer

1. Log into Facebook: Open Facebook in your browser and log in to your account if you aren’t already signed into it.
2. Access Settings: Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
3. Find the Deletion Options:
   • If Accounts Center is at the top left of the Settings menu, go to Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control. Select Deactivation or Deletion, then choose your account and select Delete Account.
   • If Accounts Center is at the bottom left, go to Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion. Select Delete Account, then click Continue to Account Deletion.
4. Confirm: Follow the on-screen instructions, enter your password, and click Delete Account.

Deleting Facebook on a phone

To delete your account from an iPhone:

1. Log into Facebook: Open the Facebook app and log in if needed.
2. Access Settings: Tap the Menu icon in the bottom-right corner, scroll down, and select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
3. Find the Deletion Options:
   1. If Accounts Center is at the top of the menu, tap Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control. Select Deactivation or Deletion, choose your account, and select Delete Account.
   2. If Accounts Center is at the bottom, tap Profile Access and Control > Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account and tap Continue to Account Deletion.
4. Confirm: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deletion.

To delete your account from an Android phone:

1. Log into Facebook: Open Facebook in your browser and log in to your account if you aren’t already signed into it.
2. Access Settings: Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
3. Find the Deletion Options:
   • If Accounts Center is at the top, tap Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control. Select Deactivation or Deletion, choose your account, and tap Delete Account.
   • If Accounts Center is at the bottom, tap Profile Access and Control > Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account and tap Continue to Account Deletion.
4. Confirm: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deletion.

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FAQ

What’s the difference between deleting and deactivating Facebook?

As mentioned above, deleting your Facebook permanently removes your account and all associated data. Once deleted, it cannot be undone after 30 days. Deactivating, however, temporarily disables your account. Your profile won’t be visible, but your data remains intact, and you can reactivate your account anytime. You should deactivate your Facebook if you think you might regret deleting your account down the line.

Can you cancel your account deletion?

Yes. You can cancel the process within 30 days simply by logging back into your account and selecting Cancel Deletion. After 30 days, the deletion becomes irreversible, so mark your calendars and make sure it’s something you absolutely want before the deadline arrives.

How to deactivate your Facebook

Got cold feet about deleting? No worries, I got you. To deactivate your Facebook account, go to Settings & Privacy in the Facebook app or website and then select Settings. From there, go to Accounts Center or Your Facebook Information, depending on your settings layout, and choose Deactivation and Deletion. Select Deactivate Account, follow the on-screen instructions, and confirm.

Once again — deactivation is temporary. You can reactivate your account anytime by logging back into Facebook.