Are you thinking about stepping away from Facebook? You might want to temporarily deactivate (disable) your account or delete it permanently. Facebook has made some changes to its navigation, so here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate or delete your Facebook account using the new Meta Accounts Center.
What’s the Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting?
Before diving into the steps, let’s cover the basics:
- Deactivating: This option lets you temporarily hide your profile and content. No one can find you on Facebook, but you can always reactivate your account by logging back in. Messenger remains active unless you deactivate it separately.
- Deleting: This is a permanent action. It erases your account, including your photos, posts, and all other data. After 30 days, everything will be gone for good.
Now that you know the difference, here’s how to do both.
How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account Using Accounts Center
- Log into Facebook using a web browser or the Facebook app.
- Click on your profile picture at the top right (in a browser) or tap the menu (three horizontal lines) in the app.
- Go to Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.
- Scroll down and click on Accounts Center.
- In the Accounts Center, click on Personal Details.
- Choose Account Ownership and Control.
- You’ll see two options: Deactivation and Deletion. Select Deactivation.
- Follow the prompts to complete the process, including choosing a reason for leaving.
- Confirm by entering your password and clicking Deactivate.
Your account is now deactivated, which means it won’t show up in searches or on friends’ timelines. You can come back at any time by simply logging in again.
How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account Using Accounts Center
- Repeat steps 1-6 above to get to Account Ownership and Control.
- This time, select Delete Account.
- Facebook will provide an option to download your information if you want to keep a copy of your photos, posts, and other data.
- Click Continue to Account Deletion and follow the prompts.
- Confirm by entering your password and clicking Delete Account.
Your account is now scheduled for deletion. You have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in. If you don’t, Facebook will permanently delete your profile and all its content after that period.
Important Things to Consider Before Deleting
- Save Your Data: If there are photos or videos you want to keep, download a copy before you delete your account. Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information.
- Check Linked Apps: If you use Facebook to log into other services like Instagram or Spotify, update your login credentials before deleting your account to prevent access issues.
What Happens After Deletion?
Once your account is deleted, all your data is gone, including posts, messages, photos, and videos. Facebook may take up to 90 days to remove everything from its servers, but you won’t be able to access your profile during that time.
Why Delete or Deactivate a Facebook Account?
People deactivate or delete their accounts for various reasons. It could be to take a break from social media, increase privacy, or focus on other things. Whatever your reason, it’s empowering to control your online presence.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re taking a temporary break or making a permanent exit, this guide will help you navigate Facebook’s updated system for managing your account. If you’re unsure, start with deactivation. You can always delete it later if you feel ready to leave for good.