How to delete a Facebook account: permanently, temporarily
This article will explain how to delete a Facebook account. It will also provide a quick tip on how to reactivate your account if it has been previously deactivated.
How to deactivate or permanently delete your account?
Deactivating your Facebook account is a partial way to step back from the community, without destroying all of the information contained in your account. To deactivate your Facebook account, click the arrow in the top-right corner and select Settings & Privacy:
From there, choose Settings.
On the lefthand side, click Your personal information.
Next, select View next to Deactivation and deletion.
From there, you will have two options:
- To deactivate your account - this is not definitive and your account can be recovered.
- To delete permanently your account - as it name suggests, this is a permanent choice.
If you choose to delete your account, you may need to fill a form and then to confirm with your logins and by entering a capcha.
What happens if you deactivate your account?
Concretely, Facebook will hold onto your information so that all you will need to do is log in to reactivate your account. While messages that you have previously sent will remain visible to their recipients, other Facebook users will not be able to search your profile or contact you on the platform.
The Facebook account will remain deactivated for 14 days. If you log in with your credentials during these 14 days, the deletion process will be canceled.
You may find that in your time away from Facebook, you will discover other hobbies and, even, enjoy doing nothing at all in your free time.
How to reactivate a Facebook account?
Once a Facebook account is deactivated, you'll be given as long as you want to reactivate your account. It will not be permanently deleted unless you officially request it to be.
To reactivate your Facebook account, simply sign in to Facebook using your email address and password or use your Facebook login info to connect somewhere else. The account activity will be sufficient to reactivate your account.