How to Deactivate or Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account

Understanding your Facebook settings and having control over your personal information has never been more important. Whether you wish to take a break by temporally deactivating your Facebook account or make a more definitive move by permanently deleting your Facebook account, this guide is for you. We will help you navigate through each step, making it easy for you whether you want to deactivate, delete, or decide between the two.

Understanding the Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Your Facebook Account

Not all ‘goodbyes’ are forever; some are just for now. When you decide to ‘deactivate’ or ‘delete’ your Facebook account, you’re choosing between such goodbyes.

What Does it Mean to Deactivate Your Facebook Account?

When you choose to deactivate your Facebook account, you’re pressing the ‘pause’ button on your social media presence. This temporarily deactivates your account, but you’re able to reactivate your account whenever you choose; all your information lies dormant, waiting for your return.

What Does it Mean to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account?

If you opt to permanently delete your Facebook account, you’re clearing your social slate completely. Account deletion means your account and all the information attached to it, including photos, posts, and profile data, are removed forever. Remember, once you delete your account, there’s no going back.

Deactivate or Delete: Which is Right for Me?

Deciding whether to deactivate or permanently delete your Facebook account is a big choice. Consider what you want from your social media experience. If you just need a break but want to keep your memories, deactivating may be best. However, if a clean break feels right, you might want to delete your Facebook account.

How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account

If you’ve decided to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account, here are the steps you need to follow.

Steps to Temporarily Deactivate Your Account

Access your Facebook settings, then click on ‘Account’ and choose ‘Deactivate Account.’ Verify your password and follow the additional steps. Your account is now deactivated and invisible to other users. You can reactivate your account anytime just by logging in again.

What Happens to Your Account Information When You Deactivate?

When you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile disappears from the site. Still, your information is securely stored, ready to be reactivated along with your account. You will continue to appear to friends on Facebook Messenger, and you can still use Facebook login for third-party apps.

How to Reactivate Your Facebook Account After Deactivation

Since account deactivation isn’t permanent, reactivating your account is as easy as entering your login information on Facebook again. Once you log in, your account is immediately restored, with all your content right where you left it.

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account

If you’re ready to say a final goodbye, follow these steps to permanently delete your Facebook account.

Steps to Permanently Delete Your Account

To permanently delete your Facebook account, visit your ‘Facebook Information’ in your settings and choose ‘Delete Your Account and Information,’ then click ‘Continue to Account Deletion.’ Confirm your password, click ‘Continue,’ and then click ‘Delete Account.’

Understanding the Implications of Account Permanently Deletion

When choosing to permanently delete your account, you’re choosing to erase your social presence entirely. This means you won’t be able to retrieve your photos, messages, or any other data associated with your account. You won’t be able to use Facebook Messenger, and the process is irreversible.

What Happens to Your Facebook Information After Account Deletion?

When you permanently delete your Facebook account, your account’s details and all the data associated with it are entirely wiped away. This information cannot be recovered, so make sure you’ve saved any information you might need down the line.

What to Consider Before Deactivating or Deleting Your Facebook Account

Before you make any decisions, there are a few implications you should consider.

Will Deleting or Deactivating Affect my Use of Facebook Messenger?

No, it won’t. You’ll still be able to use Facebook Messenger even if you deactivate your Facebook account. However, if you permanently delete your account, your Messenger account will also be deleted.

Can I Continue to Use Facebook Without an Account?

Sorry, but you can’t use Facebook without an account. Without a profile, you won’t be able to participate in Facebook activities.

How to Save Your Facebook Information Before Deletion or Deactivation

If you want to keep any images or data before you temporarily deactivate or permanently delete your account, you can download your Facebook data from the ‘Settings’ menu before making your decision.

Common Issues and Questions About Deactivating and Deleting Facebook

If you’re still encountering roadblocks on your path to Facebook freedom, here are ‘fixer-uppers’ for the most common issues.

What to do if You Want to Deactivate But Can’t Access Your Account

If you want to deactivate but can’t access your account, Facebook’s Help Center offers assistance on how to recover your account so you can proceed with the deactivation process.

Reactivating Your Facebook Account After Temporary Deactivation

Login to your Facebook account using your standard Facebook login information. You’ll notice that all your data is intact, and everything is as you left it.

What to do if You Change Your Mind After Permanently Deleting Your Account

If you change your mind after permanently deleting your account, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do. Facebook doesn’t allow retrievals after permanent deletion. Hence, always carefully think before deciding to permanently delete your account.

FAQs

Q: How to deactivate facebook temporarily?

A: To deactivate your Facebook account temporarily, go to the settings section of your profile. Then go to “Your Facebook Information” and select “Deactivation and Deletion.” Choose the account option that allows you to continue to account deactivation and follow the prompts. After deactivating, you can still use your Facebook account to log back into Facebook and reactivate it at any time. To assure you, it’s different from deleting your account permanently.

Q: How can I delete a facebook account on android?

A: To delete your Facebook account on Android, go to your Facebook application and open “Settings & Privacy,” then “Settings.” Scroll all the way down to “Your Facebook Information” and tap on “Account Ownership and Control.” Choose “Deactivation and Deletion,” select “Delete Account,” and then continue to account deletion. Your request for account deletion will be processed within 30 days, unless you log back into Facebook, which will cancel your account deletion request.

Q: How to deactivate facebook account permanently?

A: A permanent deactivation, also known as account deletion, can be achieved by visiting the “Your Facebook Information” section in your settings. Select “Deactivation and Deletion,” then “Delete Account.” When prompted, input your password and select continue to account deletion. It’s important to note that deleting your account permanently will get rid of all your Facebook data and you won’t be able to log back into Facebook anymore.

Q: How to delete or deactivate your facebook?

A: You can choose to either deactivate or delete Facebook on the “Settings” page. Under “Your Facebook Information,” select “Deactivation and Deletion.” There, you can choose the account option to either deactivate your account temporarily, or delete your account permanently. Remember that deletions are final and cannot be undone once processed.

Q: Is it possible to deactivate facebook account on iphone?

A: Yes, you can deactivate your Facebook account on iPhone. Go to Settings on your Facebook application, scroll down to “Your Facebook Information,” and tap on “Account Ownership and Control.” Then pick “Deactivation and Deletion.” From there, select “Deactivate Account” and continue to account deactivation.

Q: How to delete a facebook account permanently?

A: To delete a Facebook account permanently, go to your settings and navigate to the “Your Facebook Information” section. Click “Deactivation and Deletion”; then select “Delete Account.” You’ll need to input your password for security reasons, then continue to account deletion. Be aware that all your Facebook related data will be removed and you won’t be able to recover it after deletion.

Q: What happens when deactivating a facebook account?

A: When you deactivate your Facebook account, it becomes temporarily unavailable for other Facebook users. They can’t search for you or view your profile. However, your data is still preserved by Facebook. You can return to Facebook at any point and reactivate your account by logging back into Facebook, at which time your profile is fully reinstated.

Q: What’s the difference between deleting or deactivating a facebook?

A: Deactivating your Facebook means your account is temporarily deactivated. You can still log back into Facebook and reactivate it. On the other hand, deleting your Facebook is permanent. Once your account has been deleted, it’s gone from Facebook for good, and there’s no way to reactivate it. All your Facebook information, such as friends, photos, and posts, is permanently deleted.

Q: Can I change my mind after requesting to delete a facebook account?

A: If you requested to delete your account but changed your mind, you can cancel your account deletion within 30 days of the request. To do this, you just need to log back into Facebook. Upon doing so, your account deletion request will be canceled automatically, and your account will be restored.

Q: How do I ensure to deactivate or delete facebook properly?

A: Whether you choose to delete or deactivate Facebook, always ensure you have carried out the final steps labeled as “continue to account deactivation” or “continue to account deletion” in the settings of your account. If you want to deactivate, remember you can log back into Facebook to reactivate it. If you are choosing permanent deletion, remember once the decision is made, you can’t revert it after 30 days.