How to Delete Facebook Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Last Updated on 9 months by Anoob P T

Want to know how to delete Facebook account? Here is a step by step guide on how to delete Facebook account or deactivating your Facebook account.

Before you actually delete your Facebook account, you should also know that there are some great ways to earn money from Facebook. I have written a very detailed post on How to Earn Money from Facebook, you can check it out here.

I have also written a detailed post about How to Delete LinkedIn account–you can read it if you are interested.

How to Delete Facebook Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Delete Facebook Account

★ Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account.
★ Step 2: On Top Right, Select Settings & privacy.
★ Step 3: Select Settings.
★ Step 4: Select Your Facebook Information.
★ Step 5: Click Deactivation and Deletion.
★ Step 6: Select Permanently Delete Account, select Continue to Account Deletion.
★ Step 7: Click Delete Account, enter your password, then click Continue.

Table of Contents

Are Deleting and Deactivating your Facebook Account Different?

There has been a lot of scandals and controversies related to the privacy of data uploaded in Facebook.

Many times, we are in fact doubtful about the information we spread via this social medium. Moreover, there are also misinformation and data leakage reported through Facebook all over the world.

These cases have led to the increasing distrust in Facebook and you might even more be confused about the two options Facebook provide—Deletion and Deactivation.

Deleting and deactivating is different and you have to be careful about which one to choose. When you deactivate your account, it can be accessed again with all your data still in the same place.

People mostly choose this option when they want to take a break from the world of Facebook for some time. So, what happens when you deactivate your Facebook account?

After deactivating your account, people will not be able to see your profile or any of the data you shared on your profile.

However, the messages you sent will remain in the chat box. Even when people search your name, your profile will not be visible.

But some data on your profile will be stored in the data base in case you reactivate your account. All you have to do for reactivating your account is log in with the same user name and password.

When you delete your account, you won’t be able to access it again. However, Facebook delays deletion a few days after it’s requested.

A deletion request is cancelled if you log back into your Facebook account during this time. The permanent deletion of your Facebook account results in all your photos, posts, videos, and everything else you’ve added to get permanently deleted.

You won’t be able to retrieve anything you’ve added.

Similarly, you will not be able to use apps like Facebook Messenger and Facebook login for other apps you may have signed up for with your Facebook account, like Spotify or Pinterest.

You may need to contact the apps and websites to recover those accounts.

How to Delete your Facebook account?

As Facebook is being updated for the past few months, your account can belong to either classic Facebook or new Facebook.

To delete your Classic Facebook Account

Click at the top right of any Facebook page.
Click on “Settings”.

You will find an option “Your Facebook Information” in the left column.
Click “Deactivation and Deletion”.
In this page, select Delete Account and then click “Continue to Account Deletion”.
You will be asked your password for confirmation. Enter your password and click “Continue”
After you click on “Delete Account, your account will get deleted.

Delete Updated Facebook Account

If you have updated your Facebook and have a new Facebook account, you can delete it by:

Click in the top right.
In the “Settings & Privacy” option, select “Settings”.
From the “Settings option”, select on “Your Facebook Information” in the left column.
Click “Deactivation and Deletion”.

Choose “Permanently Delete Account”, then click “Continue to Account Deletion”.
Click “Delete Account”, enter your password and then click “Continue”.

What to do before deleting your account?

If you like to keep the content you posted in Facebook, you have the option to download the information or create a backup.

This includes timeline information, posts, photos and more. It is recommended that you download a copy of your information before deleting your account.

On the “Your Facebook Information” page, click on “Download your Information”.

In addition, you can revoke the app permissions and delete the app from all your devices. Also consider messaging all your friends about deleting the account.

Even though Facebook claims to permanently delete all your data upon the deletion of your account, it is preferred and safe to delete any sensitive or privacy content you have uploaded on your own before deleting your account.

As I have mentioned earlier, Facebook has faced a lot of issues related to data leakage or privacy breaches.

After deleting your account, you can be followed by Facebook. Are you wondering how? Facebook can track non-users via the ‘like’ button and other similar means.

You can minimise this and protect your privacy. If you are concerned about privacy, switch to a privacy focused browser like Brave or try a tracking blocker in your favourite.

You can also use a non-tracking search engine like DuckDuckGo or a secure messaging app like Signal. Facebook also owns other social media apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and so on.

Be careful on your use of these too, if bothered about your privacy.

Deactivating Facebook Account

What if you want to take a break from the social media life but do not want the content on your profile to be deleted? Deactivation is the best choice you have got.

You can deactivate your account temporarily and regain access the moment you log in again.

Because, you could sometimes change your mind and feel like connecting with your friends, this might be a good idea.

To deactivate Facebook account

On the “Settings and Privacy” option, click on “Settings”.
The settings page will appear on the screen. Select “Your Facebook Information” option on this page.
You can see the last option” Deactivation and Deletion”.
After clicking on this option, click on “deactivate account” and then on “Continue”
Enter your password to confirm the deactivation and click on “Continue”.
Your account will be deactivated temporarily.

You can log in to your account anytime you want and get all the content you have updated on your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Delete Facebook Account

How do I permanently delete my Facebook account on mobile?

Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account.
Step 2: On Top Right, Select Settings & privacy.
Step 3: Select Settings.
Step 4: Select Your Facebook Information.
Step 5: Click Deactivation and Deletion.
Step 6: Select Permanently Delete Account, select Continue to Account Deletion.
Step 7: Click Delete Account, enter your password, then click Continue

How do I permanently delete my Facebook account?

When I delete my Facebook account will my messages be deleted?

Even if you delete your Facebook, some information such as messages you’ve sent to friends, will not be deleted and messages will remain visible to them. Also, you won’t be able to use Facebook Messenger.

Can I delete my Facebook account and start a new one?

You can always your Facebook and start a new account but some information such as messages you’ve sent to friends, will not be deleted and messages will remain visible to them. Also, you won’t be able to use Facebook Messenger from your old account.

What happens after I delete my Facebook account?

Your profile, photos, posts, videos, and everything else you’ve added will be permanently deleted.

How do you permanently delete FB messages?

Launch the messenger app, Tap and hold any of the desired conversations to find the option to delete it.

How do I permanently delete my Facebook account immediately?

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How to Delete Facebook Account

How to Delete Facebook Account Summary

To delete your Facebook account, here are the steps:

Overall

4.5

How to Delete Facebook Account

Pros

Easy to delete your Facebook account

Cons

All your data including profile information, friends and activity will be deleted

How to Delete Facebook Account: A Step-by-Step Guide