How to Delete Your Facebook Account (and Your Data) in 2026
What you need to know first
Deactivation hides your profile temporarily and is reversible by logging back in (Messenger still works). Deletion is permanent after a 30-day grace period.
Step-by-step: delete your data from Facebook
- Step 1: Go to facebook.com and log in
- Step 2: Open Settings & privacy > Settings
- Step 3: Go to Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control
- Step 4: Click Deactivation or deletion
- Step 5: Select your Facebook account
- Step 6: Choose Delete account and click Continue
- Step 7: Re-enter password and confirm
On mobile
- Tap menu (three lines) > Settings & privacy > Settings
- Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control
- Deactivation or deletion > select account > Delete account
- Confirm with password
Separate data request
Download Your Information tool and Meta Privacy Center rights requests; deletion is the primary erasure path
Key gotchas
- Also deletes Messenger and linked Meta Quest purchases/store credit
- Facebook Login breaks for third-party sites you signed into with Facebook
- Any login during 30 days cancels deletion
- Download your info first
What this doesn't cover
Deleting Facebook does not claw back data Meta already shared with advertisers/partners or that brokers copied from your public profile; brokered copies persist and require separate broker removal.
Closing Facebook stops new collection, but personal data already sold to or scraped by brokers stays in their databases until removal requests are sent to each broker.
See what personal data is exposed about you beyond Facebook.
Run a free scan →Frequently asked questions
Does Facebook delete my data immediately?
Can I opt out of Facebook using my data for training?
Does deleting my Facebook account remove my data from the internet?
What are common mistakes when deleting Facebook data?
Sources
Steps and URLs reflect the platform documentation as of the date above. Platforms may change their settings layout at any time. This guide is informational and not affiliated with Meta Platforms, Inc.