At a Glance
- Facebook deletion removes visible presence but not all content
- Deactivation keeps data and can be reversed within 30 days
- You can download photos, videos, and posts before permanently deleting
Why it matters: You can preserve memories while leaving the platform for good.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to Facebook, you’ll need to disconnect third-party logins, back up your memories, and then delete. That’s the step-by-step guide.
Disconnect Third-Party Logins
To avoid losing access to services that use Facebook for sign-in, first unlink them.
- Sign in to Facebook and go to Settings → Privacy → Settings → Apps and websites
- Scroll to the list of connected apps and click Remove next to each one
- Update each service’s login method (new password, Google sign-in, etc.) before deleting
Download Your Personal Data
Back up every photo, video, and post you want to keep.
- Settings → Privacy → Settings → Account Center → Your information and permissions → Download your information
- Choose Available information or select Specific types of information and tick Data Logs
- Set format to HTML, date range to All time, and media quality to High
- Click Create files; Facebook will email you when the download is ready
Delete Your Account
When you’re ready, follow the deletion path.
- Settings → Privacy → Settings → Account Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control
- Select Deactivation or deletion, then choose Delete account and confirm
- Facebook informs you that a 30-day grace period starts; logging back in cancels deletion
What Happens After Deletion
Your profile, posts, photos, and timeline vanish from Facebook.
Messages you sent remain accessible to recipients, and Messenger is severed but messages stay for them.
MetaQuest data, app purchases, achievements, and store credits are also removed.
Instagram and WhatsApp accounts are unaffected; you must delete those separately.
| Feature | Deactivate | Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Profile visibility | Hidden | Removed |
| Data retention | Retained | Removed after 30 days |
| Ability to reactivate | Yes | No, after 30 days |
| Third-party logins | Still work | Broken, must be re-linked |
Key Takeaways
- Disconnect all third-party logins before deletion to keep access to services
- Download data in HTML format and set media quality to High for full-resolution files
- Deletion takes 30 days; logging in during that window cancels the process
The guide helps you leave Facebook while keeping the memories you cherish.
