If you’ve come across a link titled “how to deactivate Facebook”, you may be looking for a quick way to take a break from Facebook without permanently deleting your account. Deactivating your Facebook account makes your profile and posts invisible to others — but unlike deletion, it’s temporary. You can always come back and reactivate your account later. (Facebook)
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
-
What deactivation means (vs deletion),
-
How to deactivate Facebook (on phone or PC),
-
What remains visible, and what gets hidden,
-
What to consider before deactivating, and
-
How to reactivate (if you change your mind).
Deactivate vs. Delete: What’s the Difference?
Before you deactivate, it’s useful to know the difference between temporarily deactivating and permanently deleting your Facebook account.
-
Deactivation is a temporary pause. Your profile disappears, but your data (posts, photos, etc.) stays saved. You can return anytime. (Facebook)
-
Deletion is permanent. Once you delete your account, Facebook starts removing your data. After 30 days, your profile, photos, posts, and other content are gone — and you can’t get them back. (Facebook)
Most people deactivate when they just want a break. If you want to come back later, deactivation is the safer choice.
How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account
Whether you use Facebook on mobile or on a computer, here are the steps to follow:
On Mobile (Android / iPhone)
-
Open the Facebook app and log in.
-
Tap your profile picture (or the menu icon) — usually at the top (Android) or bottom (iPhone). (Facebook)
-
Go to Settings & privacy → then Settings. (Facebook)
-
Tap Accounts Center (also called “Meta Accounts Center”). (Facebook)
-
Go to Personal details → then Account ownership and control. (Facebook)
-
Select Deactivation or deletion. (Facebook)
-
Choose the Facebook account you want to deactivate. If you have other linked Meta accounts (Instagram, etc.), be careful. (Facebook)
-
Select Deactivate account, then tap Continue. (Facebook)
-
Enter your password when prompted, and confirm. (Facebook)
-
Optionally, you may be asked why you’re deactivating. Choose a reason and continue.
Once done, your Facebook account will be deactivated.
On Computer / Web Browser
-
Visit Facebook.com and log in.
-
Click your profile picture (upper‑right corner). (Facebook)
-
Go to Settings & privacy → Settings. (Facebook)
-
Click Accounts Center (if visible), otherwise go directly to the Your Facebook Information section. (Facebook)
-
Go to Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion. (Facebook)
-
Select Deactivate account, then hit Continue. Enter your password if asked. (Facebook)
That’s it — your account is now deactivated.
What Happens After Deactivation?
When you deactivate, here’s what changes — and what stays the same:
What changes (becomes invisible):
-
Your Facebook profile becomes invisible to everyone else. People cannot see your timeline, photos, or posts. (Facebook)
-
Others cannot find you via search. (Facebook)
What remains (not deleted):
-
Your data is saved: Posts, photos, videos, friends list remain stored on Facebook servers — they’re just hidden. (Facebook)
-
Messages you sent before deactivation still show up in friends’ inboxes. Your name and profile pic might still appear there. (Facebook)
-
If you use Facebook Login for other apps (e.g. Spotify, Pinterest), that login may still work. (Facebook)
-
If you’re using Messenger, it might remain active if you don’t log out. (Facebook)
-
Any Facebook Pages you manage will be deactivated too — unless you give someone else control. (Facebook)
In short: deactivation hides your Facebook presence but doesn’t erase your data.
Why Deactivate Instead of Delete?
Here are some common reasons people deactivate instead of deleting:
-
Need a break: Maybe you want a digital detox, but aren’t ready for a permanent goodbye. Deactivation lets you step away temporarily.
-
Data retention: If you think you might come back later — or want to keep your old photos, posts, friends list — deactivating preserves all that.
-
Messenger use: You still want to chat with friends via Messenger, but not use Facebook full-time. Deactivation often still allows Messenger.
-
Avoid losing access: If you log into other apps via Facebook, deleting might disrupt those logins. Deactivation minimizes disruption.
What to Know Before Deactivating
-
Your Pages will be deactivated — if you manage any, consider transferring them first. (Facebook)
-
If you rely on Facebook Login for other services, link those accounts to a different login method before deactivating. (Facebook)
-
If you use Messenger, it may require separate action if you don’t want to use it. (Deactivating Facebook doesn’t always log you out of Messenger.) (Facebook)
-
While your profile is hidden, some data (like messages) remains visible to friends. (Facebook)
How to Reactivate Your Facebook Account
One of the best things about deactivation is: you can return anytime.
-
Simply log in again with your email/phone number and password (or use Facebook Login). (Facebook)
-
Your profile, posts, photos, friends — everything comes back just like before. (Facebook)
-
If you manage any Pages, you’ll get the control back after reactivation (if you're the only admin). (Facebook)
Should You Deactivate? Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you hit “Deactivate,” ask yourself:
-
Do I want to keep my content (photos, posts, history) for later? → If yes, deactivate.
-
Am I only taking a short break from social media? → Deactivate.
-
Do I want all traces wiped permanently? → Then deletion may be more appropriate.
-
Do I rely on Facebook for other services (login, Messenger)? → Think about how those will be affected.
Final Thoughts
Deactivating your Facebook account is a good option when you want a break — but don’t want to lose everything. It’s quick to do (just a few clicks or taps), and you can always return.
If you just want some privacy, or to minimize distractions, deactivation is ideal. But if your goal is to fully remove your digital footprint, only permanent deletion will do — keeping in mind that it’s irreversible.
So, the next time you see a link “how to deactivate Facebook,” you know exactly what to do.