Deleting your Facebook account permanently removes your profile, photos, posts, messages, and friends. Once deleted, the account cannot be recovered after a short grace period. This guide explains how to delete your Facebook account using the latest mobile and web methods.
Important Things to Know Before Deleting Facebook
Before deleting your account, you may want to save a copy of your data. Go to Settings → Accounts Center → Your Information and Permissions → Export Your Information to download your photos, posts, messages, and profile data. Preparing your data may take up to 48 hours.
How to Delete Facebook Account (Mobile & Desktop)
Follow these steps to permanently delete your Facebook account:
1. Open the Facebook app or visit facebook.com.
2. Go to Settings → Accounts Center.
3. Tap Personal Details → Account Ownership and Control → Deactivation or Deletion.
4. Select your Facebook account and choose Delete Account.
5. Choose a reason, enter your password, and confirm.
What Happens After You Delete Your Facebook Account?
After submitting the deletion request, Facebook places your account in a 30-day grace period. During this time, your profile is hidden, and you can cancel deletion by logging back in. After 30 days, your account and all content are permanently deleted.
Facebook notes that it may take up to 90 additional days to fully remove all data from its systems, although your information will no longer be visible to others.
Can You Recover a Deleted Facebook Account?
You can recover your account by logging back in within 30 days of requesting deletion. Once the 30-day grace period ends, recovery is no longer possible.
Alternative: Deactivate Facebook Instead
If you don’t want to delete your account permanently, you can deactivate it instead. Deactivation hides your profile and content but allows you to reactivate your account anytime by logging back in.