Considering taking a break from Facebook but not ready to delete your account forever?
Deactivating your Facebook account is a great way to step away without losing all your memories, photos, and connections.
It’s a temporary solution that makes your profile invisible while keeping your data safe for when you decide to return.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to deactivate your Facebook account using the app (on both Android and iOS) and a web browser. We’ll also clarify the key difference between deactivation and deletion and explain what happens to your profile, messages, and photos when you choose to deactivate.
Deactivation vs. Deletion: What’s the Difference?
Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between deactivating and deleting your Facebook account:
- Deactivating Your Account:
- Temporary: Your profile, photos, posts, friends list, and other data are hidden from everyone on Facebook.
- Recoverable: You can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging back in with your username and password.
- Messenger Still Works: You can typically continue to use Facebook Messenger to chat with friends, and your name will still appear in their friend lists on Messenger.
- Data Stored: Facebook keeps all your information, so it’s exactly as you left it when you return.
- Deleting Your Account:
- Permanent: Once deleted, your account and all associated data (photos, posts, messages, friends list) are permanently removed from Facebook’s servers. There’s usually a short grace period (e.g., 30 days) during which you can cancel the deletion request, but after that, it’s gone forever.
- Not Recoverable: You cannot reactivate it.
- Messenger Stops Working: You will no longer be able to use Messenger.
- Data Gone: Your data is wiped from Facebook.
For a temporary break, deactivating your Facebook account is the ideal choice.
How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account on Mobile (Android / iOS App)
The process is very similar for both Android and iOS devices, as the Facebook app interface is largely consistent.
- Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone.
- Access the Menu:
- On Android, tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner.
- On iPhone (iOS), tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the bottom-right corner.
- Go to Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap “Settings & privacy,” then tap “Settings.” Imagine a screenshot here showing the Facebook app’s main menu with “Settings & privacy” highlighted, then “Settings” highlighted.
- Access Accounts Center:
- At the very top of the Settings screen, you’ll see a section labeled “Accounts Center” (or sometimes just “Meta” or “Personal Details”). Tap on it.
- (Note: Facebook frequently updates its menu structure. If you don’t see “Accounts Center,” look for “Personal details and account information” or “Account ownership and control” directly in the main Settings list).
- Navigate to Personal Details: In Accounts Center, tap “Personal details.” Imagine a screenshot here showing the “Accounts Center” screen with “Personal details” highlighted.
- Find Account Ownership and Control: On the “Personal details” screen, tap “Account ownership and control.” Imagine a screenshot here showing the “Personal details” screen with “Account ownership and control” highlighted.
- Select Deactivation or Deletion: Tap “Deactivation or deletion.” Imagine a screenshot here showing “Deactivation or deletion” highlighted.
- Choose Your Profile: Select your Facebook profile if you have multiple profiles linked.
- Select Deactivate Account: You’ll be given two options: “Deactivate account” or “Delete account.”
- Make sure “Deactivate account” is selected (the circle next to it should be filled).
- Tap “Continue.”
- Enter Password and Confirm:
- You’ll be prompted to enter your Facebook password for security verification. Tap “Continue.”
- Facebook will then ask you for a reason for deactivation. Select one from the list or provide your own. You may also be given an option to continue using Messenger.
- Tap “Deactivate my account” or “Deactivate” to confirm.
Your Facebook account is now deactivated!
How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account on a Web Browser (Desktop)
The process on a computer web browser is very similar to the mobile app, with minor differences in layout.
- Go to Facebook.com and Log In: Open your web browser and go to www.facebook.com. Log in to your account if you haven’t already.
- Access Settings:
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Facebook page.
- From the dropdown menu, select “Settings & privacy,” then click “Settings.”
- Navigate to Accounts Center:
- On the left sidebar, click “Accounts Center” (or look for “Personal details and account information” under “Your Facebook information” in older interfaces).
- Go to Personal Details: In Accounts Center, click “Personal details.” Imagine a screenshot here showing the desktop “Accounts Center” screen with “Personal details” highlighted.
- Find Account Ownership and Control: On the “Personal details” page, click “Account ownership and control.” Imagine a screenshot here showing the desktop “Personal details” page with “Account ownership and control” highlighted.
- Select Deactivation or Deletion: Click “Deactivation or deletion.” Imagine a screenshot here showing “Deactivation or deletion” highlighted.
- Choose Your Profile: Select your Facebook profile if you have multiple profiles linked.
- Select Deactivate Account:
- Ensure “Deactivate account” is selected (the radio button should be marked).
- Click “Continue.”
- Enter Password and Confirm:
- Enter your Facebook password when prompted and click “Continue.”
- Choose a reason for deactivation from the provided options. You may also get an option to continue using Messenger.
- Click “Deactivate my account” or “Deactivate” to finalize the process.
Your account will now be deactivated.
What Happens After You Deactivate Your Account?
Deactivating your Facebook account makes your presence on the platform largely invisible, but it doesn’t erase your data. Here’s what you can expect:
- Your Profile Disappears: Your timeline, photos, friends list, and any posts you’ve shared will no longer be visible to other Facebook users. It’s as if your account doesn’t exist.
- Friends Can’t See You: Your profile will be removed from your friends’ friend lists.
- Messages Remain: Your past messages in Messenger will remain visible to the people you sent them to. If you choose to continue using Messenger, your name will still appear in your friends’ Messenger contact lists.
- Photos and Posts Are Hidden: While invisible, all your photos and posts are retained by Facebook, ready to reappear if you reactivate.
- Tagged Photos May Remain: Photos you’ve been tagged in by others might still be visible to a limited audience (e.g., your friends or the person who tagged you), but your name will appear as “Facebook User” or similar.
- Group Admin Status May Be Affected: If you’re the sole admin of a Facebook Group, you might be asked to assign a new admin before deactivating.
- Linked Apps/Websites: Apps and websites that use your Facebook account for login might still maintain a connection, but they won’t be able to access your data from Facebook while deactivated.
To reactivate your account, simply log back into Facebook with your original email/phone number and password. Your profile will be restored as it was, and you can resume using the platform.