How to Delete Facebook Account Permanently (2025 Guide)
Are you ready to take control of your digital privacy and permanently delete your Facebook account? Whether it’s because of privacy concerns, a need to reduce screen time, or simply a desire to step away from social media, many users are choosing to say goodbye to Facebook in 2025.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through:
The difference between deactivating and deleting your account
What happens when you permanently delete your Facebook account
How to back up your Facebook data
Step-by-step instructions to delete your account from desktop and mobile
Tips to ensure your data is fully removed
FAQs and common issues users face
How to delete Facebook-linked apps and services
Let’s dive in!
Deactivating vs. Deleting Your Facebook Account
Before we go further, let’s clarify the two available options:
Feature | Deactivate Account | Delete Account Permanently |
---|---|---|
Temporary | ✅ | ❌ |
Can reactivate anytime | ✅ | ❌ |
Profile hidden from others | ✅ | ✅ |
Keeps Messenger access | ✅ | ❌ |
Deletes all data | ❌ | ✅ |
Time to reverse decision | N/A | 30 days |
Important: If you’re unsure, start with deactivation. You can always come back and delete later.
What Happens When You Delete Your Facebook Account Permanently?
When you choose to delete your Facebook account permanently:
You lose access to your profile, photos, posts, videos, and everything else you’ve added.
You cannot reactivate the account.
Messages you sent remain visible to friends.
Pages you solely manage are deleted.
Facebook backups and data copies are erased within 90 days.
Step 1: Back Up Your Facebook Data
Before deleting, download a copy of your data, including photos, messages, and more.
Here’s how to download your Facebook data:
Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
Select Your Facebook Information on the left.
Click Download your information.
Choose Date range, Format (HTML or JSON), and Media Quality.
Select the data types (Photos, Comments, Messages, etc.).
Click Create File.
Facebook will notify you once the file is ready.
Step 2: Delete Facebook Account Permanently (Desktop)
Follow these steps:
Click Your Facebook Information.
Choose Deactivation and Deletion.
Select Delete Account, then click Continue to Account Deletion.
Enter your password to confirm.
Click Delete Account.
✅ You’ll have 30 days to cancel deletion. After that, your data is gone forever.
Step 3: Delete Facebook Account Permanently (Mobile App)
On Android/iOS:
Open the Facebook App.
Tap the menu icon (☰).
Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
Tap Personal and account information.
Tap Account ownership and control.
Tap Deactivation and deletion.
Choose Delete Account and continue.
Enter your password and confirm.
Step 4: Remove Facebook App & Messenger
Deleting your account doesn’t automatically remove the apps from your device. Do this manually:
Android: Long press the app > Tap Uninstall.
iOS: Tap and hold the app > Tap the X or choose Remove App.
Also uninstall Facebook Messenger, which works separately from the main app.
Step 6: Delete Facebook Login from Third-Party Apps
If you’ve used “Login with Facebook” for apps like Spotify or Instagram:
Go to Settings > Apps and Websites
Remove all apps using Facebook Login.
Visit those apps and update your login method (email/password or Google login).
Step 7: Clear Facebook Cache from Browsers
Even after deletion, browser cache may retain some of your activity.
Clear Facebook cookies:
In Chrome:
Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data
In Firefox:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Data
Step 8: Wait 30 Days Without Logging In
After requesting account deletion, Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind. If you log in during this period, deletion is canceled.
So stay logged out until you receive confirmation that your account has been permanently deleted.
Common Questions About Deleting Facebook (FAQ)
Q1. Can I recover my Facebook account after deletion?
No. Once 30 days pass after requesting deletion, the account is permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
Q2. Will people still see my messages?
Yes. Messages you sent to others will remain in their inbox unless they delete them.
Q3. Can I delete Messenger without deleting Facebook?
You can deactivate Messenger separately only if your Facebook account is deactivated. You cannot delete Messenger alone.
Q4. How do I delete a Facebook Page?
Before deleting your main account, go to each Page > Settings > Remove Page > Delete Page.
Q5. Does deleting my Facebook account delete Instagram and WhatsApp too?
No. You must delete those accounts separately, even though they are owned by Meta.