How To Delete Your Facebook Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deciding to delete Facebook is a significant move that impacts your digital presence and data history. Whether you choose to completely delete or simply deactivate, ensuring you have downloaded your information and disconnected third-party apps is vital. Follow the steps to delete Facebook account outlined above for a smooth, secure exit.

There are many reasons to consider getting rid of your social media presence. Whether concerns about personal information privacy are increasing, or you simply need a digital detox, learning how to delete your Facebook account is the first step toward reclaiming your online freedom.

It’s hard to feel like anything is private these days. Fortunately, you have options: your account on Facebook can either be deactivated temporarily or completely deleted permanently. While the interface changes often, the process of removing your digital footprint is straightforward if you follow the right steps.

Pre-Deletion Preparation 

Before you decide to delete FB, there are crucial factors to consider. Once you completely delete your account, specific data cannot be recovered.

Backup Your Data (Download Your Information)

To avoid losing memories such as photos, videos, posts, and conversations, backup all your data. Save these memories by requesting a download on Facebook. 

How To Backup My Facebook Account Data

1. Click on your profile picture (top right).

2. Select Settings & privacy > Settings.

3. Click Accounts Center (usually top left).

4. Select Your information and permissions.

5. Click Download your information > Request a download.

6. Select the profiles on Facebook you want to save.

7. Choose your file options (Format: HTML/JSON, Media quality: High).

8. Click Submit request.

Review and Disconnect Connected Apps & Services 

Many users use “Facebook Login” for apps like Spotify, Tinder, or Airbnb. If you delete your Facebook account without changing these logins, you may lose access to those third-party accounts.

How To See The Settings of Apps You’ve Logged Into 

1. Click on your profile picture (top right)
2. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings
3. Click Apps and Websites on the left side 

Notifying Friends and Contacts 

It’s important to let your network know you’ll be leaving Facebook. It can help maintain connections even after leaving the network. Consider posting an announcement about it. Maybe even share alternative ways to stay in touch in the post. For close friends and family, you might also want to send personal messages.

Additional Actions To Take Before Deleting Your Facebook Account

You might also want to change login credentials for other services. Take Spotify, for example. You won’t be able to log in if it’s connected to your Facebook account. Consider any pages or groups that you manage on Facebook. Assign a new admin or make any necessary arrangements. 

Is There A Temporary Way To Delete Facebook? 

If you don’t want to delete your account, there is a less drastic approach. Deactivating your account is reversible. It allows you to disappear from the social network for a period of time. When or if you’re ready to come back, your information will be there. 

This means that your content is no longer visible online and is not searchable online.

How To Deactivate Your Facebook Account 

If Accounts Center appears at the top left of your Settings, you can do it through Accounts Center. If Accounts Center is at the bottom left of your settings, you can do it through Facebook Settings

The steps to deactivate your account through the Accounts Center:

• Click on your profile picture (top right) 
• Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings
• Click Accounts Center (top left of your screen)
• Under Account Settings, click personal details
• Click Account Ownership and control
• Click Deactivation or Deletion
• Select the account or profile to deactivate
• Select Deactivate account
• Click Continue, then follow the instructions to confirm

If you don’t have access to the new Pages experiences, deactivate your account through Facebook Settings. 

These are the steps to deactivate your account through Facebook Settings:

• Click on your profile picture (top right)
• Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings
• Click Privacy, then click Your Facebook Information
• Click Deactivation and Deletion
• Choose Deactivate Account, then ‘Continue to Account Deactivation’, and follow the instructions to confirm

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What Happens When You Deactivate Your Account? 

When you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile becomes almost invisible.

A deactivated account means: 

• Your content such as photos and posts can’t be found by others
• Tagged content may still be discoverable 
• Friends can still see your name and past messages that have been sent
• You’ll also still appear in their friends list
• For groups, your posts and comments may still appear with your name

If you decide to reactivate your account, you’ll just need to log in. You’ll be able to enter with your original email and password

Step-by-Step Instructions: How To Delete Facebook Account

Meta has unified settings for Facebook and Instagram into the Accounts Center. Whether you want to delete a profile or the whole account, this is the most accurate method.

Method 1: Deleting via Desktop (Web Browser)

Here are the specific steps to delete Facebook account using a computer:

1. Access Settings: Click your profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacy > Settings.
2. Open Accounts Center: Click on the Meta Accounts Center box on the left side of the screen.
3. Personal Details: Under “Account settings,” click Personal details.
4. Account Ownership: Click Account ownership and control.
5. Start Process: Click Deactivation or deletion.
6. Select Account: Choose the specific account on Facebook you wish to remove.
7. Choose Option: Select Delete account (Deleting your account is permanent).
8. Confirm: Click Continue. You may be asked for a reason (optional) and your password to verify it is you.

Method 2: How to Delete FB on Mobile (iOS/Android)

If you are wondering how to delete profiles on Facebook using the app, the process is similar:

1. Tap the Menu (three lines) in the bottom right (iOS) or top right (Android).
2. Tap the Gear icon (Settings).
3. Tap the Meta Accounts Center card at the very top.
4. Go to Personal details > Account ownership and control.
5. Tap Deactivation or deletion.
6. Select the profile and choose Delete account.

Additional Considerations To Make

• You’ll be removing your profile and content (profile, photos, videos, etc.)
• Your data will be lost – this includes friends lists, messages, groups, and pages
• You’ll lose access to connected services. You might need to change login methods
• It can have a social impact – you’ll lose this method of connecting

What Happens After Deletion 

Once you finish the steps to delete Facebook, you enter a “Grace Period.”

• Days 0–30 (The Grace Period): Your account is deactivated but not gone. If you log back in, the deletion request is canceled.
• After 30 Days: You won’t be able to reactivate your account. The permanent deletion process begins.
• Within 90 Days: Meta may take up to 90 days to wipe your data from backup systems, though your info is not accessible to others during this time.

What about my messages?

Will deleting my Facebook account remove my messages from friends’ inboxes? No. While your profile picture will disappear and be replaced by a generic grey silhouette, the text of messages you sent will remain visible in your friends’ inboxes.

Alternatives to Permanent Deletion

If you aren’t ready to delete a profile permanently, consider these friendly alternatives to manage your digital footprint:

• Digital Detox (Deactivation): Use the deactivation steps listed above to take a break without data loss.
• Privacy Checkup: Instead of deletion, limit who sees your posts via Settings > Audience and Visibility.
• Unfollow/Snooze: Clean up your newsfeed by unfollowing toxic friends or groups rather than deleting your account.
• Archive Posts: You can “Archive” old photos rather than deleting them. This hides them from the public but keeps them in your private “Archive” folder.

Handling Business Pages

If you manage a Facebook Business Page, note that deleting your personal account may delete the Page if you are the sole Admin.

Best Practice: Assign a new Admin to the Page via the Professional Dashboard > Page Access settings before you delete your personal profile.

Change Your Photo Album Privacy Settings 

Another alternative to deleting your Facebook account is hiding your images. For instance, if you started a new job and want to keep your photos private. Completely deleting your account might not be necessary. 

Here are the steps to edit the privacy settings for your photo albums:

1. In the top right of Facebook, click on your profile picture.
2. Click Photos, then click Albums
3. Select the album you want to change the privacy settings on
4. In the top right, click on the 3 dots, then click Edit Album
5. Click the current privacy setting (e.g.: Friends).
6. Select a new audience
7. Click Save

Deleting Facebook Business Pages 

Deleting a Facebook Business page requires careful consideration of its impact on your business and customer relationships. This move is particularly important in the context of IT Service Management (ITSM). It requires a strategic approach, taking into account your business strategy, customer service, and digital marketing. 

The key is to ensure that such a decision (deleting your Facebook page) aligns with ITSM principles. You’ll want to make sure that every digital asset, including social media platforms, contributes to your business objectives. Are you looking to refine your ITSM strategies and manage your digital platforms more efficiently? Discover the best IT Service Management systems for 2023.

Privacy Considerations

Protecting your online information is crucial. Ensure your passwords are both unique and complex. You’ll also want to enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security to all your accounts, including Facebook. Also, be wary of phishing scams that attempt to steal your personal information. 

Conclusion

Deciding to deactivate or delete your Facebook account is a big move. It impacts both your data and digital presence. We’ve covered the key steps and considerations for both options. Whichever path you choose, make sure to make an informed decision that aligns with your well-being and privacy preferences.

FAQ 

Q: Can I reactivate my account after I’ve deleted it?

A: No. Once it’s permanently deleted, it cannot be reactivated. Your data also cannot be recovered.

Q: Will deleting my Facebook account remove my messages from friends’ inboxes? 

A: No. Your messages that have already been seen will still appear in friends’ inboxes.

Q: How long does Facebook take to delete my data? 

A: Once you’ve requested to delete your account, it can take up to 90 days.