How to Delete Your Facebook Account (Step-by-Step Guide)

Deleting your Facebook account is simple and quick. Whether you are tired of the platform or want to protect your privacy, you can remove your account permanently in just a few minutes through Facebook’s Accounts Center.

 

This guide explains how to delete your Facebook account on both web browser and mobile app, what happens after deletion, how to cancel the process, and the difference between deleting vs. deactivating your account.

 

How to Delete Your Facebook Account

You can delete your Facebook account using a web browser or the mobile app. Here’s the easiest way:

 

Delete Facebook Account on Web Browser

1. Open Account Ownership Settings

You can directly open the Accounts Ownership and Control page using Facebook’s settings. Or manually follow these steps:

• Click your profile icon (top right)
• Click Account ownership and control
•  Select Settings & privacy
•  Click Settings
•  Choose Accounts Center (left sidebar)
• Select Personal details 

 

2. Delete Your Facebook Account

• Choose Deactivation or deletion
• Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm
• Select the Facebook profile you want to delete
• Choose Delete account 

 

Pro Tip: Before deleting, download your Facebook data (photos, videos, posts) from the Your information and permissions section inside Accounts Center.

 

Delete Facebook Account on Mobile App

1. Open Accounts Center

• Tap your profile icon (top right)
• Tap Go to Accounts Center
•  Tap the down arrow

 

2. Open Account Ownership Settings

• Tap Personal details
• Tap Account ownership and control

 

3. Delete Your Account

• Select Deactivation or deletion
• Choose the profile to delete
• Select Delete account
•  Confirm your choice

 

What Happens When You Delete Your Facebook Account?

If you permanently delete your account:

• Your profile, photos, videos, posts will be removed 
• You cannot recover your account after deletion completes
• You lose access to Facebook Messenger
•  You cannot use Facebook Login for apps like Pinterest or Spotify
• All Meta Quest data (apps, purchases, achievements) will be deleted
• Messages you previously sent may still appear in friends’ inboxes

 

Facebook may temporarily keep some data in backups for security and legal reasons, but it won’t be linked to you.

 

Can You Cancel Facebook Account Deletion?

Yes - only for 30 days.

If you log in within 30 days, Facebook will show a “Cancel deletion” button.
After 30 days, deletion becomes permanent.

 

Facebook says it may take up to 90 days to fully remove all data from their systems.

 

Delete vs. Deactivate: What’s the Difference?

Deleting Facebook	Deactivating Facebook
Permanent removal of all data	Temporary, reversible
No access to Messenger	Messenger still works
Facebook Login apps stop working	Facebook Login apps still work
Meta Quest data deleted	Cannot use for Meta Quest
Can cancel only within 30 days	Reactivate anytime by logging in

 

How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account

Follow the same steps as deletion, but choose Deactivate account instead of Delete.

 

What Is Memorialization on Facebook?

Facebook allows you to control what happens to your account after you pass away.

You can:

• Have your account deleted, or
• Let Facebook memorialize it and assign a legacy contact to manage it

 

This option is in:
Accounts Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control → Memorialization

 

Conclusion

If you’re sure you want to leave Facebook, you can easily delete your account through the Accounts Center. If you only want a break, consider deactivation instead.

 

If privacy is your main concern, remember your personal data may still appear on data broker websites, so consider removing your information from those as well.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use Messenger after deleting my Facebook account?

No. Messenger is unavailable after deletion. However, Messenger works if you deactivate your account.

 

Can I recover my Facebook account after deleting it?

Only if you log in within 30 days and cancel the deletion. After that, recovery is not possible.

 

How long does Facebook take to delete my account?

Full deletion may take up to 90 days, but you cannot access the account during this time.

 

Does deleting Instagram also delete Facebook?

No. They are separate accounts, even though both belong to Meta. You must delete them individually.