Table of Contents
- Facebook Deactivating vs. Deleting: What’s the Difference?
- Quick Comparison: Temporarily Deactivate vs Permanently Delete
- Pros and Cons of Deactivating or Deleting
- How to Deactivate or Delete on App and Website
- Managing Multiple Profiles
- Things to Do Before You Remove FB Account
- What Happens After You Choose to Permanently Delete
- How to Reactivate Facebook Profile After Deactivation
- For Extra Privacy: Clean Your Digital Trail
- Deleting Facebook Account – Android vs. iPhone
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For millions of people in 2025, Facebook has become a double-edged sword. It connects us, but also overwhelms us. It stores our history, but also sells our habits. If you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling aimlessly or worrying about who’s watching, you’ve probably wondered: Should I just delete Facebook?
Whether you’re looking for a clean break or just a mental health pause, you have two main choices: deactivation (temporary) or deletion (permanent).
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through both with step-by-step instructions, smart pre-exit tips, and privacy tools to reclaim your digital life.
Facebook Deactivating vs. Deleting: What’s the Difference?
Before taking action, it’s important to understand the difference between deactivating and deleting your Facebook account:
Temporarily Deactivate
- Your profile becomes invisible to other users.
- All posts, photos, and timeline entries are hidden from public view.
- Messenger remains available, and reactivate your Facebook profile at any time by logging back in.
This is a good option if you want to temporarily deactivate without losing your data or cutting off all communication.
Permanently Delete
- Your profile, all photos, posts, messages, and Messenger access are permanently deleted.
- You lose access to Facebook Login on third-party apps.
- After a 30-day grace period, your data is gone forever.
This is the right choice if you want to remove FB account completely with no intention of returning.
Quick Comparison: Temporarily Deactivate vs Permanently Delete
| Feature | Temporarily Deactivate | Permanently Delete |
| Account hidden from others | Yes | Yes |
| Messenger still works | Yes | No |
| Data recoverable | Yes | No (after 30 days) |
| Ability to log back in | Yes | No |
| Third-party logins remain | Yes | No |
| Suitable for | Short breaks, privacy management | Full removal, digital detox |
Pros and Cons Deactivating
Pros:
- Allows a break without losing data
- You stay reachable via Messenger
- You can come back any time
Cons:
- Facebook still holds your data
- You may still be visible in group chats
- Not a true privacy solution
Pros and Cons of Deleting Facebook
Pros:
- Complete removal of your profile and data
- Better digital privacy
- Breaks reliance on social validation or addictive features
Cons:
- Loss of access to Messenger and connected services
- Cannot recover anything after 30 days
- You must manually back up your data beforehand
How to Deactivate or Delete on App and Website
You can manage both options either via the Facebook app or through your browser.
Delete on Website / Deactivate on Website
- Log in at facebook.com
- Click your profile photo > Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Go to Accounts Center > Personal Details
- Select Account Ownership and Control
- Click Deactivation or Deletion
- Choose the relevant profile
- Select either Temporarily deactivate or Permanently delete
- Follow the steps and confirm with your password
Delete on App / Deactivate on App
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap your profile icon > Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Tap Accounts Center
- Go to Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control
- Select the profile to manage
- Tap Deactivation or Deletion
- Choose either Temporarily deactivate or permanently delete
- Confirm the action with your password
Managing Multiple Profiles
Facebook now supports multiple profiles within one account. You can:
- Temporarily deactivate or Permanently delete individual profiles
- Keep your main profile intact while removing sub-profiles
- Repeat the same steps as above for each profile in Accounts Center
Each profile functions separately deleting one does not affect the others.
Things to Do Before You Remove FB Account
1. Download Your Data
If you want to keep your memories, messages, and posts:
- Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information
- Choose the data and time range
- Facebook will prepare a downloadable file
2. Unlink Connected Apps
If you use Facebook to log into other services:
- Visit Settings > Apps and Websites
- Switch to email/password login on those apps before deleting Facebook
3. Reassign Group or Page Admin Roles
If you’re an admin for any Facebook groups or business pages:
- Assign another admin before deleting your account to prevent them from being orphaned
4. Inform Friends or Followers
Post a short status update or story if you’d like people to know you’re leaving and how they can stay in touch with you.
What Happens After You Choose to Permanently Delete
- Facebook begins a 30-day deletion countdown
- During this period, logging in will reactivate Facebook profile and cancel deletion
- After 30 days, your data is permanently removed
- Some information (like sent messages) may still exist in others’ inboxes
Facebook also retains some non-personal system logs for security purposes, but they’re no longer linked to your identity.
How to Reactivate Facebook Profile After Deactivation
To return after temporarily deactivating:
- Simply log back in using your email/phone and password
- Your profile, timeline, photos, and groups will all be restored
- Messenger will also become active again
For Extra Privacy: Clean Your Digital Trail
After you remove FB account, consider deeper privacy steps:
- Use services like DeleteMe, Optery, or Incogni to request removal of your personal info from data brokers
- Manually contact popular data collection sites to remove your digital footprint
This helps ensure your information doesn’t remain scattered across the web.
Deleting Facebook Account- Android vs. Iphone
No functional difference exists in the deletion process between Android and iPhone. The steps, options, and outcome are the same — only the navigation layout and menu positions vary slightly due to platform UI conventions.
How to Delete Facebook Account on Android
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the menu icon (top-right).
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Tap Accounts Center > Personal Details.
- Select Account Ownership and Control.
- Tap Deactivation or Deletion.
- Choose Permanently delete > Continue.
- Confirm with your password.
How to Delete Facebook Account on iPhone
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the menu icon (bottom-right).
- Tap Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Select Accounts Center > Personal Details.
- Go to Account Ownership and Control.
- Tap Deactivation or Deletion.
- Select Permanently delete > Continue.
- Confirm with your password.
Conclusion
Deciding to remove FB account is a personal choice that depends on your goals. If you want a break without losing your data, temporarily deactivate your account. You can return anytime and still use Messenger.
If you’re ready to leave for good, permanently delete your account to clear your data and disconnect from the platform entirely. Just be sure to back up important content and unlink connected apps first.
Whatever you choose, you can always reactivate Facebook profile if you change your mind (within 30 days of deletion). The key is to make a decision that gives you control over your digital life not the other way around.
Stay connected with Jobsath.com for the latest tips and guidance on Facebook online marketing.
FAQs:
Q: Will my Facebook messages disappear if I delete my account?
Sent messages may still be visible in the recipient’s inbox, even after deletion.
Q: Can I use Messenger without Facebook?
You can if your account is deactivated, but not after deletion.