How to Delete Facebook Account Permanently

Facebook offers two ways to remove your presence. Deactivation is temporary and reversible within 30 days. Your profile becomes invisible to others, but Facebook retains your data. Permanent deletion takes 30 days to process and removes your account, posts, photos, and personal information from Facebook's servers. During the 30-day waiting period, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. Choose deletion if you want a complete break from the platform.

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Navigate to Deactivation and Deletion on the left menu. Choose Delete Account and click Continue. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password and enter a security code sent to your email or phone. Review the information about what happens when you delete your account. Click Delete Account to confirm. Your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion after 30 days.

Launch the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Tap Deactivation and Deletion. Choose Delete Account and tap Continue. Enter your password and the security code sent to your phone. Review the deletion details carefully. Tap Delete Account to finalize the process. The mobile process mirrors the desktop version but uses touch navigation instead of clicks.

After you initiate deletion, Facebook enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, your account remains recoverable if you log back in. Your profile won't appear in search results or friend lists. Messages you sent may remain visible to recipients, but new messages won't be delivered to your account. Photos and posts become inaccessible to you. After 30 days, Facebook permanently removes all your data from active servers. Don't log in if you want the deletion to proceed.

Facebook doesn't offer instant permanent deletion, but you can minimize your digital footprint immediately. Before deleting, download your data through Settings and Privacy. Remove sensitive information from your profile manually. Untag yourself from photos and posts. Delete comments and posts you want removed. Contact Facebook support if you believe your account violates their policies, which may expedite removal. These steps reduce your visible presence while the 30-day deletion window completes.

If you're unsure about permanent deletion, deactivation is a safer option. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Select Deactivation and Deletion and choose Deactivate Account. Select a reason for deactivation. Decide whether to hide your account from search or keep it visible to friends. Enter your password and security code. Your profile becomes invisible immediately, but you can reactivate anytime by logging in. This approach lets you test life without Facebook before making a permanent decision.

Back up your photos and messages before deleting your account. Download your data from Facebook's Download Your Information tool. Check if you use Facebook Login for other apps or websites. Notify friends of alternative contact methods. Review any active subscriptions or purchases linked to your account. Consider whether you need Facebook for business or professional networking. Once deleted, you cannot recover your account or data. Make sure deletion aligns with your long-term needs before confirming.