How to Delete Your Facebook Account (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

Thinking about leaving Facebook? Whether you’re tightening your privacy, cutting screen time, or closing a dormant profile, deleting your Facebook account is straightforward if you prepare properly. This CyReader guide walks you through everything: how to back up your data, the exact menu path to permanent deletion in Meta’s Accounts Center, and what to expect afterward—without losing access to the apps and services you still need.

Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account, Step-by-Step

Start by preparing a clean exit. Download your data (photos, messages, posts), transfer a copy of your albums to cloud storage, and update any accounts that use “Continue with Facebook” so you’re not locked out later. To grab your archive, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Your information and permissions > Download your information, then choose format (HTML or JSON), media quality, and date range. If you prefer a quick photo handoff, use Transfer a copy of your information to send images straight to Google Photos or Dropbox. While you’re at it, audit third‑party logins under Settings & privacy > Settings > Apps and websites and switch them to email/password or passkeys—our guide on stopping Facebook Login can help.

When you’re ready to delete: open Facebook, tap the profile menu (bottom right on iOS, top right on Android, or the arrow on desktop), then go to Settings & privacy > Settings. At the top, open Accounts Center. Navigate to Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion. Select the account or profile you want to remove, choose Delete account, and follow the prompts: 1) review what’s deleted, 2) optionally download info one last time, 3) enter your password, 4) confirm Delete account. On desktop, you may also see Your Facebook information > Deactivation and deletion pointing you to the same Accounts Center flow—both paths land in the same place in 2025.

After you submit the request, Facebook schedules your account for permanent deletion with a 30‑day grace period; log in during that window to cancel if you change your mind. Once the window closes, deletion begins and can take up to 90 days for Facebook to purge content from backups (some logs or legal/compliance records may be retained per Meta’s policies). Delete the Facebook and Messenger apps from your devices to reduce temptations to sign back in, and notify friends or Page collaborators that you’re leaving so they can add a new admin where needed—Pages and Business assets with no other admins can be unpublished or lost.

Deactivate vs Delete: What Happens and What to Save

Deactivation is a reversible pause: your profile is hidden, but your data stays on Meta’s servers and you can come back anytime by logging in. Your Messenger can remain active when deactivated, and you can still use Facebook Login on other apps. It’s a good option if you need a break or want to troubleshoot issues without losing your history. Deletion, by contrast, is designed to be permanent after the 30‑day cancellation window; your profile, posts, reactions, and connections are removed, and you won’t be able to retrieve them later.

Before deciding, think about what you need to keep. Photos and videos are obvious, but also consider: message threads with important details, event histories, Pages or Groups you manage, saved posts, Marketplace messages, and ad account receipts. Use Download your information to export everything you might want; you can narrow by date/type or grab a full archive. If you use Facebook to sign in to services like Spotify or Pinterest, switch those logins first to avoid lockouts—our step‑by‑step guide covers replacing Facebook Login with email, passkeys, or a password manager.

If you’re not fully sure, try deactivation for a week or two. It preserves access to Messenger and third‑party logins and lets you see how life feels without the feed. If you decide deletion is right, make a final pass: transfer photos, add a second admin to any business Pages, cancel Facebook‑linked subscriptions, and capture receipts or ad data you might need for taxes or accounting. For ongoing privacy beyond Facebook, consider pairing your move with a reputable VPN and a password manager to secure the rest of your digital life.

FAQs: Deleting Your Facebook Account

Q: How long do I have to cancel a Facebook deletion request?
A: You typically have 30 days to cancel by logging back in and selecting Cancel deletion. After that, the process is irreversible and can take up to 90 days to fully purge backups.

Q: Will deleting Facebook also delete Messenger?
A: Yes. If you permanently delete your Facebook account, your Messenger and its messages are deleted too. If you only deactivate Facebook, you can keep using Messenger.

Q: What happens to my Facebook Pages when I delete my account?
A: If you’re the sole admin, the Page may be unpublished or inaccessible. Add another admin before deleting your account to keep the Page alive.

Q: Can I still use apps that I signed into with Facebook?
A: Not unless you change those logins first. Visit Settings & privacy > Settings > Apps and websites to see where you’ve used Facebook Login, then switch to email/password or passkeys.

Q: Where exactly is the deletion option now?
A: In 2025, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion, choose your profile, then Delete account.

Q: Does Facebook keep any data after deletion?
A: Meta may retain limited records for legal, safety, or fraud‑prevention reasons. Public content you posted that others have reshared may also persist in their archives or exports.

Q: Can I download my data after I request deletion?
A: Download your information before you confirm deletion. Facebook offers an extra chance during the deletion flow, but once submitted, access may be limited.

Q: Do search engines still show my profile after deletion?
A: Search engine caches can linger temporarily. They should drop off as engines recrawl. You can also request removal via Google’s outdated content tool for faster updates.

Q: Is there a difference on mobile vs desktop?
A: The steps are nearly identical. On mobile, the menus are under the profile icon; on desktop, they’re under the downward arrow. Both route to Accounts Center.

Q: Can I delete just one Facebook profile if I have multiple through Meta?
A: Yes. In Accounts Center, select the specific profile or account you want to delete. Review each profile’s data and assets separately before confirming.

Explore more privacy guides and reviews

• Want a clean export? Read our guide: How to Download Your Facebook Data (formats, filters, tips)
• Ditch social altogether: How to Delete Your Instagram Account — https://cyreader.com/guides/delete-instagram-account
• Switching logins? Stop Using Facebook Login (and what to use instead) — https://cyreader.com/guides/stop-using-facebook-login
• Lock down your accounts: Best Password Managers of 2025 — https://cyreader.com/reviews/best-password-managers
• Stay private everywhere: Best VPN Services for Streaming and Travel — https://cyreader.com/reviews/best-vpn
• News: What changed in Meta’s Accounts Center this year — https://cyreader.com/news/meta-accounts-center-update-2025

Recommended tools (reader‑supported):

• Secure your new logins with our top‑rated password manager — https://cyreader.com/go/1password
• Transfer photos safely to Google Photos — https://cyreader.com/go/google-photos
• Add a privacy layer with a fast, audited VPN — https://cyreader.com/go/expressvpn

Deleting Facebook doesn’t have to be messy. With a proper backup, a quick sweep of third‑party logins, and the Accounts Center path above, you’ll leave cleanly and keep access to the services that matter. If you found this guide helpful, explore our related privacy tutorials and gear picks to secure the rest of your digital life.