
There are plenty of reasons to stop using Facebook and plenty more to just take a break from it. Whatever those reasons are, Facebook gives you options. However, it can get very confusing as Facebook keeps moving these options around. Is it in privacy settings, general settings, or the accounts centre?
We have tried to gather all the information about Facebook deactivation and deletion in one place, starting with the difference between the two.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting a Facebook account?
There are some major differences between deactivating and deleting. The main one is that one is temporary, and the other is permanent.
Deactivating Facebook
Deactivating your Facebook account temporarily allows you to pause your activity on the platform without permanently losing your data. Here’s what happens when you deactivate:
- Your Profile Becomes Invisible: Your profile, including your posts, photos, and comments, is hidden from other users. However, some information, like messages sent to friends, may still be visible.
- Retention of Data: Facebook retains all your data, including posts, photos, and account settings, for when you decide to reactivate your account.
- Access to Messenger: You can still use Facebook Messenger while your account is deactivated, and your conversations remain intact.
- Reactivation Option: Deactivating is reversible. You can log back in to reactivate your account and restore all your data.
Deleting Facebook
Deleting your Facebook account is a permanent action. Which means that once completed, it cannot be undone. Here’s what happens:
- Permanent Removal of Profile and Data: Your profile, posts, photos, comments, and other information are permanently deleted from Facebook’s servers 30 days after starting the deletion process.
- No Access to Messenger: You lose access to Facebook Messenger, and your chat history will no longer be available.
- Unrecoverable Account: After the 30-day grace period, your account cannot be restored, and all data is permanently erased.
- Linked Apps and Services: Any third-party apps or services related to your Facebook account will no longer function. You must update your login credentials for these services before deletion.
How to deactivate or delete your Facebook account on a web browser?
Deactivating your Facebook Account using a web browser like Chrome or Safari is easier than a phone. It’s also more comprehensive. Here are the steps you must follow:
- First, log into your Facebook account by entering your phone number/email address and password on the login page.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- From the drop-down menu, select Settings & Privacy and click on Settings.
- On the left-hand side menu, locate Meta Accounts Center and click on See more in Account Center.
- Then again, on the new left-side menu, click on Personal Details.
- There, you will find Account Ownership and Control. Click on it.
- Then click on Deactivation and Deletion.
- You should find a list of all meta accounts connected to your account center; choose the one you want to delete or deactivate.
- On the next page, you will be given the option to either delete or deactivate your account.
- Whichever one you choose, it will likely ask you to re-enter your password for verification.
- You may also have to give a reason for deactivation or deletion.
Remember that you have a 30-day grace period when deleting your account. You can choose to cancel your deletion anytime within those 30 days.
Your account can stay deactivated for as long as you want. However, you may need to ensure that when choosing a reason for deactivation, you don’t choose one that automatically reactivates your account. (e.g. This is temporary; I will be back).
How to Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account on Android?
Meta has recently streamlined the account deletion and deactivation process with the introduction of the Accounts Center. Here’s how you do it:
- Launch the Facebook app and log in to your account if you have not already signed in.
- Tap your profile picture with the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down, open Settings & Privacy, and tap Settings from the drop-down.
- You will find the Meta Accounts Center on the top; tap on see more in Accounts Center.
- Scroll down locate Personal Details, and tap on it.
- Then, you’ll find Account Ownership and Control.
- Once you’re in there, tap on Deactivation or Deletion.
- Choose the Facebook account you want to deactivate or delete.
- On the next page, you will be asked whether you want to delete or deactivate.
- Whichever one you choose, you may have to type in your password and provide a reason for deactivation or deletion.
How to deactivate or delete your Facebook account on iOS?
The process of deactivating and deleting your account is nearly identical on iOS as it is on Android. This was not the case before. However, now you can almost follow the same process for iOS too.
- Launch the Facebook app and log in if necessary.
- Tap your Profile picture with the at the bottom-right corner of the screen to access the hamburger menu.
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy and select Settings.
- At the top, you’ll see the Meta Accounts Center; tap on See More in Accounts Center.
- Scroll down to find Personal Details and tap on it.
- Next, locate and select Account Ownership and Control.
- Within this menu, tap Deactivation or Deletion.
- Select the Facebook account you wish to deactivate or delete.
- On the following screen, you’ll be prompted to choose between deactivating or deleting your account.
- You may need to enter your password and provide a reason for your decision.
How do you continue using Messenger after deactivating Facebook?
You can continue using Messenger even after deactivating Facebook in a few ways.
During deactivation, the last prompt you will get is about Messenger. You may either get the option to keep using Messenger, then you’ll have to tick a box. You may also get a message that says your messenger will remain active. In that case, just keep using Messenger as is.
However, if you do not get any of these options, or you mistakenly deactivate your Messenger, and you want to only reactivate it, you can do that too. Just simply open the Messenger app on your phone and log in. This will not activate your main Facebook account.
Keep in mind that this method allows you to use Messenger only on your phone. The Messenger desktop apps for Windows and iOS require your Facebook account to be active.
How to deactivate Facebook Messenger?
If your Facebook account deactivation did not cover Messenger, or if you activated Messenger and now want to deactivate it again without activating your Facebook account, here’s how to do that:
- Launch the Messenger app and make sure that you’re logged in.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the Messenger app.
- Then, tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner.
- Scroll down in the settings menu and tap Account Center. (This is a relatively new feature in Messenger and may not be available for everyone yet.)
- In the Account Center, tap on Password and Security, then select Account Settings. From there, go to Personal Details and tap Account Ownership and Control.
- Tap Deactivation or Deletion and select the Facebook account associated with your Messenger. Since Messenger is linked to Facebook, deactivating Messenger also involves deactivating your Facebook account.
- Choose the Deactivate option and tap Continue. This temporarily hides your Facebook and Messenger accounts, but you can restore them anytime.
- Enter your Facebook password to confirm the deactivation process and tap Continue.
- When prompted, make sure that the option to continue using Messenger is unticked. Then, tap Deactivate My Account to complete the process.
Why Delete or Deactivate Facebook?
There are several reasons to leave Facebook. Privacy is a big one. Facebook’s data collection practices, past breaches, and Cambridge Analytica have many worried about their info.
The platform can also be overwhelming. Notifications, too much screen time, and social comparison’s mental exhaustion.
For some, the risks of scams, phishing or bad interactions outweigh the benefits of being connected.
Deactivating keeps your data but gets you off the platform. Deleting removes you from the Facebook universe altogether. Both give you control over your time, privacy, and mental health. Sometimes, stepping back is the best option.
If you want more resources on Facebook’s Safety, check out our article, Is Facebook Safe?