Thinking about leaving Facebook for good? Maybe you rarely use it anymore, you’re trying to spend less time on social media, or you simply want to remove an old account. Whatever your reason, deleting a Facebook Account is not difficult, but there are a few things you should know before you do it.

Facebook offers two choices: deactivation, which is temporary, and deletion, which is intended to permanently remove your account. If you’ve made up your mind, here’s how to delete your Facebook account and what to check first.

What Happens When You Delete a Facebook Account?

When you permanently delete your Facebook account, your profile and the content associated with it, such as photos, posts and videos, are removed as part of Facebook’s deletion process.

You also lose access to Facebook Messenger and won’t be able to use Facebook Login to access other apps or websites with that account. That’s why it’s worth checking your connected accounts before you start.

One thing to remember: deleting your account is not the same as uninstalling the Facebook app. Removing the app from your phone does not delete your account.

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account

Facebook’s settings can look slightly different depending on whether you’re using a phone, tablet or computer. The process generally goes through Accounts Centre.

1. Open Facebook Settings

Sign in to the Facebook account you want to remove.

Open your profile menu, select Settings & privacy, and then choose Settings.

2. Go to Accounts Centre

Look for Accounts Centre in the settings menu.

From there, select Personal details.

3. Open Account Ownership and Control

Tap or click Account ownership and control, then select Deactivation or deletion.

This is where Facebook gives you the choice between temporarily deactivating your account and permanently deleting it.

4. Select Your Facebook Account

If you have multiple profiles or accounts connected to Accounts Centre, choose the Facebook account you want to delete.

Select Delete account and continue.

5. Confirm Your Decision

Facebook will take you through a few confirmation screens. You may need to enter your password before the request can be completed.

Take a moment to read the information shown on the screen before confirming. Once you proceed, the deletion process will begin.

What Should You Do Before Deleting Facebook?

Before you choose to permanent delete Facebook Account, it is worth spending a few minutes preparing. You may have years of photos, posts or other information stored on the platform.

Here are a few things to check:

• Download your information: Save photos, posts and other Facebook data you want to keep.

• Check Facebook Login: Find websites and apps where you’ve used Facebook to sign in. Set up another login method where necessary.

• Review Messenger: Save anything important from conversations before deleting your account.

• Check Pages you manage: If you manage a Facebook Page, make sure the appropriate people still have access.

Facebook provides tools for reviewing and downloading your information before account deletion.

Can You Change Your Mind?

Possibly. Facebook provides a limited period in which you can cancel a deletion request by logging back into your account. Facebook’s Help Centre currently says this period is generally 30 days, although it notes that the cancellation period can vary by region.

After the cancellation period ends, Facebook begins permanently deleting your information. Facebook says the deletion process can take up to 90 days, and copies may remain in backup systems for longer for reasons such as disaster recovery or legal requirements.

What About Your Messages?

Deleting your account does not necessarily mean every message you’ve ever sent disappears from other people’s inboxes.

For example, someone you’ve previously messaged may still have copies of those conversations. Facebook specifically notes that messages you sent may remain visible to recipients after your account is deleted.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve decided that Facebook is no longer useful to you, deleting your Facebook Account is a straightforward process. Just don’t rush into it.

Download anything you want to keep, check apps that use Facebook Login, and make sure you have access to any Pages or services connected to your account.

And if you’re not completely sure about leaving, consider deactivation first. It gives you a way to step away from Facebook without permanently deleting your account.

For those who are ready to leave permanently, go through Accounts Centre → Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion, select Delete account, and follow the on-screen instructions.