How to Delete Your Facebook Account Permanently (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

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If you’re trying to find information on “how to delete Facebook account”, this blog post will guide you through the complete process — from downloading your data to permanently deleting your account. You’ll also learn what happens after deletion, how to deactivate instead (if you just want a break), and how to reverse — in the short term — your decision.

 How to delete or deactivate your Facebook account [App or desktop]

Before You Delete: Important Things to Know

  1. Download your data
    Before you delete your account, it’s a good idea to download all your information: photos, posts, messages, videos, and more. Once you delete your account, everything will be gone permanently. (Facebook)

    • Facebook lets you create an archive of all your data; once it’s ready, you’ll get an email from them. (Facebook)

  2. Know what gets deleted (and what might remain)

    • Your profile, photos, posts, videos — everything you added — will be removed permanently. (Facebook)

    • You’ll lose access to Facebook Messenger. (Facebook)

    • If you used Facebook to log into other apps (e.g., Spotify, Pinterest, games), you’ll also lose access to those logins. (Facebook)

    • Note: Messages sent to friends may still appear in their inboxes. (Facebook)

    • Also, if you use Meta products like Meta Quest linked to your Facebook account, that data and access will be lost too. (Facebook)

  3. You get a grace period

    • After you request deletion, Facebook gives you up to 30 days to change your mind. During this time, you can cancel deletion by simply logging back in. (Facebook)

    • After 30 days, deletion is permanent. Facebook says it may take up to 90 days to erase everything fully — during that time, your data is still inaccessible to other users. (Facebook)

  4. Option for temporary break — Deactivation
    If you don’t want to permanently lose everything, you can deactivate your account instead. That hides your profile, but allows you to reactivate whenever you like. (Facebook)

How to Delete Facebook Account (Desktop & Mobile)

Depending on whether you’re using a desktop browser or a mobile app, the steps are slightly different.

On Desktop (PC or Mac)

  1. Go to Facebook.com and log in.

  2. Click your profile picture at the top right.

  3. Select Settings & privacy > Settings. (Facebook)

  4. On the left menu, click Accounts Center (if visible). Then go to Personal details > Account ownership and control. (Facebook)

  5. Click Deactivation or deletion. (Facebook)

  6. Choose the account you want to delete (if you have more than one). Select Delete account and click Continue. (Facebook)

  7. Enter your password, follow the prompts, and confirm. Facebook will schedule your account for deletion. (Facebook)

If you don’t see Accounts Center, there’s another route:

  • Go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and deletion. (Facebook)

  • Then choose Delete account, click Continue to Account Deletion, enter your password, and confirm. (Facebook)

On Mobile App (iOS or Android)

  1. Open the Facebook app.

  2. Tap the three‑line menu (☰).

  3. Scroll down to Settings & privacy > Settings. (Facebook)

  4. Tap Accounts Center → then Personal details → Account ownership and control. (Facebook)

  5. Tap Deactivation or deletion. (Facebook)

  6. Choose the account to delete (if needed), then Delete account → Continue. (Facebook)

  7. Enter your password and follow confirmation steps. (Facebook)

What Happens After Deletion

  • Your account becomes inaccessible to others soon after you confirm deletion. (Facebook)

  • Your profile, posts, photos, videos — everything you added — will be permanently erased after the grace period. (Facebook)

  • You will lose access to Messenger and any apps you logged into via Facebook. (Facebook)

  • Some residual data — for example, log records — may remain in Meta’s backup systems, though disassociated from your identity. (Facebook)

  • If needed, you can still cancel deletion within 30 days by logging back in. (Facebook)

Deactivate Instead of Delete (Take a Break)

If you’re not 100% sure about permanently deleting Facebook, consider deactivating your account. It hides your profile but keeps data and allows you to return later. (Facebook)

  • People won’t see your profile, posts, or timeline. (Facebook)

  • However, messages you sent may still show up in people’s inboxes. (Facebook)

  • You can reactivate your account anytime by logging back in. (Facebook)

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Many users report that sometimes the “Delete” or “Deactivate” option seems to be missing — especially on the mobile app or certain browsers. Here are some common issues and what you can try:

  • Option Missing: The path (Settings → Accounts Center → Account ownership and control → Deactivate or delete) may not appear for everyone. (Reddit)

  • Page Doesn’t Load / Blank Page: Some users say that after clicking delete, they see a blank page or “something went wrong.” (Reddit)

  • Browser Issues: The deletion process might work in one browser (like Chrome) but not another (Edge, Brave, etc.). (Reddit)

Tips:

  • Try using a different browser.

  • Clear cache & cookies, then log in again.

  • Try deleting using the web version instead of the app (or vice versa).

  • If nothing works, you can try this direct URL that sometimes works even if the option is hidden: facebook.com/deactivate_delete_account (though sometimes Facebook may disable or redirect it). According to some Reddit users, this worked for them, though it’s not guaranteed. (Reddit)

What to Do Before Deleting: A Checklist

✅ Step Why It Matters
Download your Facebook data So you don’t lose photos, posts, messages forever.
Download data from other connected apps (if any) Because FB login often serves as login to third‑party apps (Spotify, Pinterest, games).
Inform friends / contacts After deletion, messaging via FB or Messenger becomes impossible.
Switch login method for other apps If you used FB login elsewhere, set a new login (email/password) before deleting.
Unlink Meta Quest (if used) Deleting FB will also delete your Meta Quest account and data.
Use a stable browser or the official site/app To avoid glitches that may hide the “Delete” option.

Final Thoughts

Deleting your Facebook account can be a big step — and for good reason. Once deleted (after the 30‑day grace period), you’ll lose access to all your content, Messenger, and any connected apps. But if you’re done with Facebook, it’s also a powerful way to reclaim your privacy and take control of your digital life.

If you’re unsure, deactivation is a good middle ground: you can hide your profile temporarily and return later.

And remember, if you change your mind within 30 days, you can cancel deletion — but after that, it’s gone forever.

So before you click “Delete account,” make sure you’ve backed up everything you care about.

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