Short answer: You can permanently delete your Facebook account from Meta’s Accounts Center in the “Account Ownership and Control” section. This guide walks you through every step – desktop and mobile – plus how to back up your data, what happens to Messenger, and how to protect your privacy after deleting your account.
Why People Delete Their Facebook Account in 2025
For many users, Facebook has gone from fun social network to a stream of distractions, targeted ads, and privacy concerns. Common reasons for deleting an account include:
- Privacy and tracking: Meta collects large amounts of data for advertising and personalization.
- Too much screen time: Endless scrolling and notifications can damage focus and sleep.
- Old posts you don’t like anymore: Photos, opinions, and comments that no longer represent you.
- Security worries: Data breaches, phishing, and hacked accounts.
- Digital detox: Wanting a simpler, quieter online life.
Whatever your reason, permanently deleting Facebook is a legitimate choice – and you can always keep other services like WhatsApp or Instagram if you want.
Before You Delete: 5 Things You Should Do First
1. Download a copy of your Facebook data
Facebook allows you to export photos, videos, messages, posts, and more using the “Download Your Information” tool.
- Go to facebook.com/dyi (you must be logged in).
- Select the data you want (posts, photos, messages, pages, groups, etc.).
- Choose format HTML (easier to read) or JSON (for developers).
- Choose media quality (High if you want original photos).
- Submit your request and wait for the download link by email or notification.
2. Check apps and websites that use “Login with Facebook”
Many apps – games, services, and websites – rely on Facebook Login. After deletion, that login will stop working.
- Visit facebook.com/settings?tab=applications.
- Review all apps and websites that show “Logged in with Facebook”.
- Change login method inside each app (email, Google, Apple, etc.).
- Remove apps you no longer use.
3. Decide what to do with your Facebook Pages and groups
If you manage a business Page or group, choose who will control it after your account is gone.
- Add at least one extra admin to your Pages.
- Transfer group ownership to a trusted member.
- Or close groups and unpublish Pages if you want everything offline.
4. Save important photos and contacts
Some photos may exist only on Facebook. Download them manually or include them in your data export. Also note down contact details of people you want to stay in touch with (email, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).
5. Decide: delete or deactivate?
Facebook offers two options:
- Deactivate: Your profile is hidden, but you can log in again anytime. Messenger still works.
- Delete permanently: After a 30-day grace period, your account and data are removed and cannot be restored.
This guide focuses on permanent deletion.
How to Permanently Delete Facebook from Desktop (Browser)
Step 1 – Open Meta Accounts Center
- Log in to Facebook on a browser.
- Click your profile avatar (top right) → Settings & privacy → Settings.
- In the left sidebar, click “Accounts Center” (Meta hub for Facebook and Instagram).
Step 2 – Open “Account Ownership and Control”
- Inside Accounts Center, choose your Facebook profile.
- Click Your information and permissions.
- Select Account ownership and control.
Step 3 – Choose “Deactivation or Deletion”
- Click Deactivation or deletion.
- Select your Facebook profile if you have several accounts connected.
- Choose Delete account (not Deactivate).
- Click Continue.
Step 4 – Confirm deletion
- Facebook will show options to download your data or switch to deactivation. You can still use these at this stage.
- Confirm that you want to delete the account permanently.
- Enter your password when requested and click Continue.
Your account is now in a 30-day pending deletion state. You are logged out everywhere.
How to Permanently Delete Facebook from the Mobile App (Android or iOS)
Step 1 – Open Settings in the Facebook app
- Open the Facebook app and log in.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines).
- Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy, then Settings.
Step 2 – Accounts Center > Account Ownership and Control
- At the top, tap Accounts Center.
- Tap Your information and permissions.
- Tap Account ownership and control.
Step 3 – Deactivation or deletion
- Tap Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the Facebook account you want to delete.
- Select Delete account, not Deactivate.
- Tap Continue.
Step 4 – Final confirmation
- Review what will be deleted (profile, posts, photos, Pages, etc.).
- Tap the button to confirm you really want to delete the account.
- Type your password and finalize.
Your Facebook account is now scheduled for deletion. You can still cancel within 30 days by logging back in and choosing to keep your account.
What Happens After You Delete Facebook?
1. The 30-day grace period
If you log in again within 30 days, Facebook will ask whether you want to cancel deletion. If you confirm, the account stays deleted. If you cancel, you get your account back.
2. Data removal from Facebook systems
According to Meta’s own documentation, it can take up to 90 days to remove all copies of your content from internal backups once deletion begins. During this time, the data is not accessible to other users. For details, see Facebook’s official deletion policy.
3. Messages you sent to other people
Messages remain in the recipient’s inbox even after your account is deleted, because they are part of the other person’s history. Your name may appear as plain text or “Facebook user”.
4. Your profile, posts, and photos
Your profile disappears from search, friend lists, and timelines. Posts and photos you created are removed from your profile and from most server copies, except where required by law or technical backup systems.
5. Facebook Pages and groups
- If you were the only admin of a Page, the Page may be unpublished or deleted.
- If there are other admins, the Page continues to exist under their control.
- Groups where you were the only admin may become unmanaged, so set a new admin before deletion.
6. Facebook Login for apps and websites
Any app that used “Continue with Facebook” can no longer authenticate you. You may lose access unless you switch to email, Google, Apple, or another login method before deletion.
7. Ads and tracking
Meta stops using your Facebook profile to show ads. However, other companies may still track you on the web. For more control, consider using a privacy-focused browser and tracking-protection tools.
How to Cancel a Facebook Deletion Request
Have you changed your mind within the 30-day grace period? You can still restore your account.
- Open Facebook (app or browser).
- Log in with your usual email/phone and password.
- You will see a warning that your account is scheduled for deletion.
- Click or tap Cancel deletion.
If more than 30 days have passed, the account is gone and cannot be recovered.
Deactivation vs Deletion: Which Is Better for You?
| Feature | Deactivate | Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Profile visible | No (hidden) | No (removed) |
| Messenger still works | Yes | No |
| Can log in again | Anytime | Only during first 30 days |
| Data kept long-term | Yes | No (after deletion completes) |
| Best for… | Temporary break | Permanent exit & privacy |
How Deleting Facebook Affects Your Privacy
Meta explains its data practices in the Facebook Privacy Policy. In simple terms:
- Most of your profile data, posts, and photos are removed from Meta’s main systems.
- Some technical logs and backup copies may remain for a limited time for security and legal reasons.
- Meta also keeps records of payments and legal actions where required by law.
Outside Facebook, other companies might still have your data (for example, websites where you used Facebook Login or marketing partners that uploaded your email in “Custom Audiences”). You can ask those companies directly to erase your data under privacy laws such as GDPR’s right to erasure.
Post-Deletion Checklist: How to Protect Your Digital Life
Deleting Facebook is a strong step, but you can go further to improve your online privacy and wellbeing:
- Review privacy settings on Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, X, YouTube and other apps.
- Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
- Uninstall apps you do not use, especially those that request unnecessary permissions.
- Turn off ad personalization on Google and other major platforms.
- Schedule a “privacy review day” every few months to repeat these checks.
FAQ: Common Questions About Deleting Facebook
Will my Messenger conversations disappear?
Your copy of the conversations disappears from your account, but messages you sent may remain in your friends’ inboxes.
Can I delete Facebook but keep Messenger?
No, not with permanent deletion. If you want to keep Messenger, choose deactivation instead.
Can I delete my account without knowing the password?
You must first reset your password using your email address, phone number, or identity verification. After that, you can request deletion.
What happens to my photos and videos?
They are removed from your timeline and from most server copies. Some technical backups may remain temporarily but are not visible to other users.
How long does Facebook keep my data after deletion?
Meta states that it can take up to 90 days to fully remove data from backup systems, although most content disappears from the platform much earlier.
Does deleting Facebook also delete Instagram?
No. Instagram uses a separate account. If both are connected in Accounts Center, you must delete them individually.
Can I ask Facebook to delete my data under GDPR?
Yes. Users in the EU and other regions with similar laws can exercise their “right to be forgotten”. Facebook’s privacy help center explains the process in more detail: facebook.com/help/206923585642325.
Is deleting Facebook enough to stop all tracking?
No. Other sites, apps, and ad networks may still collect data about you. Use privacy tools in your browser and on your phone to limit this tracking.
Conclusion: Is Deleting Facebook the Right Move for You?
Deleting your Facebook account is a big decision. You lose instant contact with many people, old memories, and access to some apps that use Facebook Login. But you gain something just as valuable: less noise, fewer ads, and more control over your personal information.
If you are ready for a cleaner, more private online life, following the steps in this guide will let you delete Facebook safely and correctly — without losing important data or access to other services.
Take your time, download your information, update your logins on other sites, and then complete the deletion. Once it is done, you are free to build a digital life that works better for you.
