How to Delete Your Facebook Account

Facebook is one of the largest and most popular social media platforms. It allows its users to share their updates, pictures, and videos with the world. If you’re asking, how can I delete Facebook, you’re in the right place.

This article is a step-by-step guide on how to delete your Facebook account. It also helps you understand the difference between deactivating and deleting a Facebook Account.

Deactivating vs. Deleting A Facebook Account

Facebook deactivation is when a user takes a break and temporarily withdraws from the platform. With deactivation, a Facebook user can return to the same account in the future.

Deletion permanently removes an account from Facebook.

What Happens When You Deactivate Your Account

When you deactivate your Facebook account, Facebook users will be unable to see, search for or go to your Facebook profile. Your posts, photos, and videos will remain intact but invisible to others. However, you’ll still be able to use Facebook Messenger.

The conversations you’ve had with people will remain intact and people can still search you by name to send a message.

The pages you solely control will also be deactivated. People wouldn’t be able to see or find such pages when they search for it. If you want to deactivate your account but keep the page you manage intact, you’ll need to give someone else control of it.

What Happens When You Delete Facebook

Deleting an account is a permanent act. Your Facebook profile and private data, including photos and posts, will be cleared permanently. You’ll be unable to use Facebook Messenger, but the messages you sent to friends may still be visible to them.

The pages you alone manage will also be deleted. To keep such pages intact, you’ll need to give someone else control of them. After you delete an account, you cannot reactivate it. If you wish to return to Facebook, you will have to create a new Facebook account.

It may take up to 90 days from when the request is made to clear all your data. This allows for the cancellation of the request if you change your mind. However, you can only cancel the request within 30 days of initiating the action. After this period, you won’t be able to access the platform or retrieve any information.

How Can I Delete Facebook?

Follow these easy steps to delete your Facebook account.

  • From your profile, click the ‘Menu’ button on the top right of Facebook.
  • Select “Settings and Privacy,” then click Settings.
  • Under ‘Account’ choose “Personal and Account Information.”
  • Select “Account Ownership and Control” from the list.
  • Choose “Deactivation and Deletion.”
  • Select “Delete Account” and click ‘continue.’
  • You may select why you’re deleting your account from the list of options or click “Continue to Account Deletion.”
  • Click “Delete Account.”
  • Enter your password and click continue.

Before you delete your account, Facebook recommends downloading a copy of your information. You’ll see the option “Download Your Information” before you click the “Delete Account” button.

Another way to download your information is by following these steps:

  • Click the ‘menu’ button in the top right corner of your Facebook page.
  • Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.
  • Scroll to “Your Information” and click “access your information.”
  • Scroll to the end and click “Download Your Information.”
silver MacBook beside black iPhone X displaying Facebook page
Photo by Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash

To Wrap Up

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms out there. If you need to take a break or have restricted access, you can do so by following a couple of easy steps. This step-by-step guide answers the question: how can I delete Facebook.

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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