How to deactivate or delete your Facebook account

How to deactivate or delete your Facebook account  

Facebook is still one of the world’s most popular social media sites. But, while some see the social media platform as an essential part of life, others find its data scandals and privacy issues disconcerting.  

If you’re looking to take a break from Facebook either temporarily or permanently, these step-by-step instructions for deleting or deactivating your account will help. 

Deleting your Facebook account 

Deleting your Facebook account is pretty quick and easy. However, before you delete it you may like to download a copy of all the information you have stored on Facebook, including photos, videos, and more. Here is an official guide from Facebook that can help. 

How to delete your Facebook account from a browser 

1. Follow this link to the page that allows you to end your account permanently. 

2. Click Delete Account, enter your password, and your account is gone forever. 

How to delete your Facebook account from the iPhone app 

1. Start the Facebook app on your iPhone. 

2. Tap the three-lined icon (hamburger menu). 

3. Tap Settings & Privacy. 

4. Tap See more in Accounts Center 

5. Tap Personal Details 

6. Tap Account Ownership and Control. 

7. Tap Deactivation or Deletion. 

8. Tap Delete Account. 

9. You can now delete your Facebook app from your phone. 

How to delete your Facebook account from the Android app 

1. Start the Facebook app on your Android device. 

2. Tap the three-lined icon (hamburger menu). 

3. Tap Settings & Privacy. 

4. Tap Settings. 

5. Tap Accounts Centre 

6. Tap Personal details, under Account settings. 

7. Tap Account ownership and control. 

8. Tap Deactivation or deletion. 

9. Choose the account or profile that you want to deactivate. 

10. Select Deactivate account or delete account 

The cons of deleting your Facebook account 

Deleting your Facebook account can certainly feel liberating. You don’t have to worry about managing your privacy or consuming seemingly endless social media content. But once it’s gone it’s gone and there’s no turning back: 

• You won’t be able to access Facebook again unless you create a new account. 
• You won’t be able to use Facebook Messenger. 
• Some accounts that you entered through Facebook Login may malfunction. You may need to contact those apps and websites or create new accounts. 
• You’ll permanently lose your data unless you download a copy. 

Can you reactivate Facebook if you change your mind? 

Facebook says that it needs up to 90 days from the start of the deletion request to permanently remove everything you’ve posted. It may even keep some data in backup storage for legal issues as part of its data policy. It also offers a 30-day grace period after you erase your account. Here is how to cancel your account deletion within 30 days: 

1. Log in to your Facebook account. 

2. Hit Cancel Deletion. 

Deactivating your Facebook account 

Deactivating your Facebook is a temporary measure. After you deactivate your account, your Facebook page, including your intro, photos, friends, and posts, is hidden. No one can send you friend requests either. However, your messages are still visible to their recipients. Here are some advantages of deactivating your Facebook instead of deleting it: 

• Your photos, videos, and posts are hidden but not permanently deleted. 
• Facebook Messenger is still fully accessible. 
• You can still access accounts through Facebook Login. 
• You can reactivate Facebook whenever you please by logging in. 

How to deactivate your Facebook account from a browser 

The same link that allows you to erase your account also allows you to deactivate your account. Hit Deactivate Account and then enter your password to lose access to Facebook temporarily. Alternatively, you can use the following steps: 

1. Select Settings & Privacy from the drop-down menu on the top right. 

2. Click Settings. 

3. Click Your Facebook Information. 

4. Click Deactivation and Deletion. 

5. Select Deactivate Account and click Continue to Account Deactivation. 

6. Enter your password and deactivate your account. 

How to deactivate your Facebook account from the iPhone app 

1. Start the Facebook app on your iPhone. 

2. Tap the three-lined icon (hamburger menu). 

3. Tap Settings & Privacy. 

4. Tap See more in Accounts Center. 

5. Tap Account Ownership and Control. 

6. Tap Deactivation or Deletion. 

7. Tap Deactivate account. 

How to deactivate your Facebook account from the Android app 

1. Start the Facebook app on your Android device. 
2. Tap the three-lined icon (hamburger menu). 
3. Tap Settings & Privacy. 
4. Tap Settings. 
5. Tap Accounts Center.
6. Tap Personal details, under Account settings. 
7. Tap Account ownership and control. 
8. Tap Deactivation or deletion. 
9. Choose the account or profile that you want to deactivate. 
10. Select Deactivate account or delete account 

Tips for using Facebook safely 

We understand that some users don’t want to deactivate or delete Facebook, but still have safety concerns. There are steps you can take to better manage your privacy and security on Facebook. Here are some tips that may help: 

• Set a long, unique password for your Facebook account. You can use a trusted password generator to make the task easier. 
• Avoid oversharing on Facebook. Any information you share about yourself can be used for social engineering. 
• Be careful when accepting friend requests. Do you really know that person? 
• Limit posts to trusted friends and not the public. 
• Limit the audience of old posts on your Timeline by going to the hamburger menu (three lines), tapping Settings > Posts > Limit who can see past posts > Limit past posts. 
• Consider a digital footprint scan  to see  what of your personal information has been exposed and where. 
• Beware of phishing scams and be careful which links you click on in Facebook or Messenger. If you’re not expecting a message from someone, contact them another way to see if it is really them who sent it.