Are you considering taking a break from Facebook or permanently deleting your profile? Whether you’re concerned about privacy, overwhelmed by social media, or simply ready for a digital detox, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to either deactivate or permanently delete your Facebook account. Understanding the difference between deactivation and deletion is crucial, as each option has different consequences. This article provides detailed instructions, screenshots, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision and execute your chosen course of action with confidence.
**Understanding the Difference: Deactivation vs. Deletion**
Before diving into the how-to, let’s clarify the key differences between deactivating and deleting your Facebook account:
* **Deactivation:** This is a temporary option. When you deactivate your account:
* Your profile will be hidden from other Facebook users.
* People won’t be able to search for you on Facebook.
* Your name and profile picture will be removed from most things you’ve shared on Facebook. However, some information, like messages you’ve sent to friends, may still be visible.
* Facebook saves your account settings, photos, and other information in case you decide to reactivate later.
* You can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging back in.
* **Deletion:** This is a permanent action. When you delete your account:
* You will no longer be able to reactivate your account.
* All of your photos, videos, posts, and other content will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. (Facebook states it may take up to 90 days to delete all of your data from their systems. While they are deleting this information, it is inaccessible to other people using Facebook). Copies of your material may remain in backup storage even after the 90 days.
* You will not be able to use Facebook Messenger.
* You won’t be able to use your Facebook account to log into other apps or websites that you’ve connected to Facebook.
**Which Option is Right for You?**
* **Choose Deactivation if:**
* You need a break from Facebook but plan to return in the future.
* You want to hide your profile from other users temporarily.
* You’re unsure about permanently deleting your account.
* **Choose Deletion if:**
* You are certain you no longer want to use Facebook.
* You want to permanently remove all of your data from Facebook.
* You’re concerned about Facebook’s data collection practices and want to opt out completely.
**Part 1: How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account**
Follow these steps to deactivate your Facebook account:
1. **Log in to your Facebook account:** Open your web browser and go to [www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com). Enter your email address or phone number and password to log in.
2. **Access the Settings menu:**
* **On a computer:** Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the Facebook page. A dropdown menu will appear.
* **On a mobile device (using the Facebook app):** Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top-right corner (on Android) or bottom-right corner (on iOS).
3. **Navigate to Settings & Privacy:** From the dropdown menu (on a computer) or after scrolling down (on mobile), select “Settings & Privacy.” This will expand another menu.
4. **Go to Settings:** From the expanded “Settings & Privacy” menu, select “Settings.”
5. **Access Your Facebook Information:** In the left sidebar (on a computer) or by scrolling down (on mobile), find and click or tap “Your Facebook Information.”
6. **Choose Deactivation and Deletion:** You will see a list of options. Select “Deactivation and Deletion.”
7. **Select Deactivate Account:** On the “Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account” page, you’ll see two options: “Deactivate Account” and “Delete Account.” Make sure “Deactivate Account” is selected.
8. **Click Continue to Account Deactivation:** Click the “Continue to Account Deactivation” button.
9. **Provide a Reason for Deactivation (Optional):** Facebook will ask you why you’re deactivating your account. You can select a reason from the list or choose “This is temporary. I’ll be back.” Providing feedback is optional, but it helps Facebook understand why users are leaving.
10. **Opt-Out of Email Notifications (Optional):** You’ll see an option to opt out of receiving future email notifications from Facebook. If you don’t want to receive emails while your account is deactivated, check the box that says “Opt out of receiving future emails from Facebook.”
11. **Review Apps Using Facebook Login:** Facebook will show you a list of apps and websites that you use your Facebook account to log into. Deactivating your account will mean you won’t be able to use Facebook Login for these apps and websites. Facebook will provide the option to find an alternate login method or download your information from these services. Choose the option that fits your needs.
12. **Confirm Deactivation:** Finally, click the “Deactivate” button. A confirmation window will appear. Click “Deactivate Now” to confirm that you want to deactivate your account.
13. **Account Deactivated:** Your account is now deactivated. You will be logged out of Facebook, and your profile will no longer be visible to other users.
**Reactivating Your Facebook Account:**
To reactivate your account, simply log back into Facebook using your email address or phone number and password. Your account will be reactivated, and your profile will be visible to others again.
**Part 2: How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account**
Follow these steps to permanently delete your Facebook account:
**Important Note:** Before you proceed with deleting your account, it’s crucial to download a copy of your information. Once your account is deleted, you will not be able to recover your photos, videos, posts, or other content. Make sure to back up any data you want to keep.
1. **Download Your Facebook Information (Highly Recommended):**
* **Log in to your Facebook account:** Open your web browser and go to [www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com). Enter your email address or phone number and password to log in.
* **Access the Settings menu:**
* **On a computer:** Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the Facebook page.
* **On a mobile device (using the Facebook app):** Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top-right corner (on Android) or bottom-right corner (on iOS).
* **Navigate to Settings & Privacy:** From the dropdown menu (on a computer) or after scrolling down (on mobile), select “Settings & Privacy.”
* **Go to Settings:** From the expanded “Settings & Privacy” menu, select “Settings.”
* **Access Your Facebook Information:** In the left sidebar (on a computer) or by scrolling down (on mobile), find and click or tap “Your Facebook Information.”
* **Download Your Information:** Click or tap “Download Your Information.” This will take you to a page where you can choose what information to download and in what format.
* **Select the Information to Download:** You can choose to download all of your information or select specific categories, such as posts, photos, videos, messages, etc. Select the desired options.
* **Choose the Format:** Choose the format in which you want to download your information. HTML is a good option for viewing in a web browser, while JSON is suitable for importing into other applications. Select the desired format.
* **Select the Media Quality:** Choose the media quality for your photos and videos. Higher quality files will be larger in size. Select the desired quality.
* **Select a Date Range:** You can specify a date range for the information you want to download. If you want to download everything, select “All Time.”
* **Create File:** Click the “Create File” button. Facebook will start preparing your download. This may take some time, depending on the amount of data in your account. You can check the “Available Files” section to see when your file is ready.
* **Download the File:** Once the file is ready, you’ll receive a notification. Go to the “Available Files” section and click the “Download” button to download the file to your computer or device. You might be prompted to re-enter your password for security reasons.
2. **Log in to your Facebook account:** Open your web browser and go to [www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com). Enter your email address or phone number and password to log in.
3. **Access the Settings menu:**
* **On a computer:** Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the Facebook page. A dropdown menu will appear.
* **On a mobile device (using the Facebook app):** Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top-right corner (on Android) or bottom-right corner (on iOS).
4. **Navigate to Settings & Privacy:** From the dropdown menu (on a computer) or after scrolling down (on mobile), select “Settings & Privacy.”
5. **Go to Settings:** From the expanded “Settings & Privacy” menu, select “Settings.”
6. **Access Your Facebook Information:** In the left sidebar (on a computer) or by scrolling down (on mobile), find and click or tap “Your Facebook Information.”
7. **Choose Deactivation and Deletion:** You will see a list of options. Select “Deactivation and Deletion.”
8. **Select Delete Account:** On the “Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account” page, select “Delete Account.” This will highlight the option to permanently delete your account.
9. **Click Continue to Account Deletion:** Click the “Continue to Account Deletion” button.
10. **Review Apps Using Facebook Login (Important):** Facebook will show you a list of apps and websites that you use your Facebook account to log into. Deleting your account will mean you won’t be able to use Facebook Login for these apps and websites. Make sure you have alternative login methods for these services before proceeding.
11. **Click Delete Account:** Click the “Delete Account” button. A confirmation window will appear.
12. **Enter Your Password:** Enter your Facebook password to confirm that you want to permanently delete your account. This is a security measure to ensure that only you can delete your account.
13. **Click Continue:** Click the “Continue” button.
14. **Final Confirmation:** A final confirmation message will appear, warning you that your account will be permanently deleted and that you will not be able to retrieve your data. Read the message carefully.
15. **Click Delete Account:** If you are sure you want to proceed, click the “Delete Account” button.
16. **Deletion Process Initiated:** Your account deletion process has now been initiated. Facebook will display a message confirming that your account is scheduled for deletion. You have a grace period of 30 days to cancel the deletion request if you change your mind. After 30 days, your account and all of your information will be permanently deleted.
**Cancelling the Deletion Request (Within 30 Days):**
If you change your mind within 30 days of initiating the deletion process, you can cancel the request by logging back into your Facebook account. When you log in, you will see a message informing you that your account is scheduled for deletion and asking if you want to cancel the deletion. Click the “Cancel Deletion” button to cancel the deletion request. Your account will be reactivated, and you will be able to use it as normal.
**Important Considerations After Deletion:**
* **Irreversible Action:** Deleting your Facebook account is a permanent and irreversible action. Once the 30-day grace period has passed, your account and all of your data will be permanently deleted, and you will not be able to recover it.
* **Third-Party Apps and Websites:** If you used your Facebook account to log into other apps and websites, you will need to find alternative login methods for those services. Make sure you have updated your login information for these apps and websites before deleting your Facebook account.
* **Facebook Messenger:** Deleting your Facebook account will also disable your Facebook Messenger account. You will no longer be able to send or receive messages through Messenger.
* **Data Retention:** While Facebook states that it will delete your data within 90 days, some copies of your material may remain in backup storage even after that period.
* **Other Facebook Products:** Deleting your Facebook account may affect your access to other Facebook products, such as Oculus (if you use your Facebook account to log in).
**Troubleshooting Common Issues**
* **Can’t find the Deactivation/Deletion option:** Make sure you are logged in to the correct Facebook account. The option is located under Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion.
* **Getting an error message:** If you encounter an error message, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or using a different browser. If the problem persists, contact Facebook’s support team.
* **Forgot your password:** If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.
* **Account is hacked:** If you believe your account has been hacked, immediately change your password and report the incident to Facebook.
**Conclusion**
Deactivating or deleting your Facebook account is a significant decision that should be made carefully. Understanding the differences between these two options and following the detailed steps outlined in this guide will help you choose the best course of action for your needs and ensure a smooth transition. Remember to download your information before deleting your account, as this data cannot be recovered once the deletion process is complete. By taking the necessary precautions and following the instructions carefully, you can confidently manage your Facebook presence and take control of your digital life.