Thinking of quitting Facebook for good? Whether it’s to protect your privacy, cut back on social media use, or just take a break from the noise — permanently deleting your account is a big step. Here’s exactly how to do it, and what to expect once you start the process.
What Happens When You Delete Your Facebook Account
Before jumping in, here are some key things to keep in mind:
- You have 30 days to cancel the deletion. After that, your account and all associated data are permanently erased.
- All your photos, videos, posts, and comments will be gone forever.
- You can’t use Facebook Messenger anymore.
- If you’ve used Facebook to sign into apps (e.g., Spotify, Pinterest), you’ll need to change your login method for those services.
- This is different from deactivating — you won’t be able to reactivate your account later.
How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account
It only takes a few minutes. Here’s how:
1. Log into Facebook
- Go to facebook.com and log into the account you want to delete.
2. Go to Settings
- Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings & privacy > Settings.
3. Click “Your Facebook Information”
- From the menu on the left, click Your Facebook Information.
4. Choose “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Scroll down and click View next to Deactivation and Deletion.
5. Select “Permanently Delete Account”
- Choose Permanently Delete Account and click Continue to Account Deletion.
6. Confirm Deletion
- Facebook may prompt you to download your data or deactivate instead.
- Click Delete Account, then enter your password.
- Click Continue > Delete Account again to confirm.
Can I Cancel the Deletion?
Yes — but only if you act fast:
- Log into Facebook within 30 days of your deletion request.
- Click Cancel Deletion and your account will be restored.